Bourbon By Nino Kilgore-Marchetti / May 14, 2020 The closure of distilleries along the Kentucky Bourbon Trail in March because of the coronavirus pandemic has been ongoing now for about two months. Reopening these facilities is certainly something on the mind of those who run them, but to do so requires as well cautious consideration as COVID-19 is still a health concern far and wide. To that end, according to the Kentucky Distillers’ Association, it has “submitted its Kentucky Bourbon Trail Plan to Reopen to the Governor’s Office for review and guidance. KBT Visitor Center retail-only operations (no onsite consumption) are eligible to open May 20. Wild Turkey (image via Wild Turkey) “However, with the requirements and restrictions issued by the Governor’s Office, several distilleries are waiting until later to welcome guests and/or reopening retail operations gradually.” “We expect limited tastings to open shortly thereafter,” noted the KDA in a prepared statement. “We expect limited tours to resume later this summer. We strongly recommend you contact individual distilleries for the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding hours, policies, and experiences.” As was the case when distilleries began shutting down, those considering visiting these bourbon making operations will likely find as the best resource to find out updated information either social media or distillery websites. The websites are listed below once again for your immediate reference: KENTUCKY BOURBON TRAIL Angel’s Envy – Louisville Bardstown Bourbon Company – Bardstown Bulleit Distilling Co. – Shelbyville Evan Williams Bourbon Experience – Louisville Four Roses Distillery – Lawrenceburg Four Roses Warehouse & Bottling Facility – Cox’s Creek Heaven Hill Bourbon Heritage Center – Bardstown Jim Beam American Stillhouse – Clermont Jim Beam Urban Stillhouse – Louisville Lux Row Distillers – Bardstown Maker’s Mark Distillery – Loretto Michter’s Distillery – Louisville Old Forester Distilling Co. – Louisville O.Z. Tyler Distillery – Owensboro Rabbit Hole Distillery – Louisville Stitzel-Weller Distillery – Louisville Town Branch Distillery – Lexington Town Branch Dueling Barrels Distillery – Pikeville Wilderness Trail Distillery – Danville Wild Turkey Distillery – Lawrenceburg Woodford Reserve Distillery – Versailles Read More Whiskey NewsFlavor Development, Episode 6: Defining Sources of Flavor and Aroma in Whisky – Lactic Acid BacteriaKENTUCKY BOURBON TRAIL CRAFT TOUR Barrel House Distilling Co. – Lexington Bluegrass Distillers – Lexington Boone County Distilling Co. – Boone Co. Boundary Oak Distillery – Radcliff Casey Jones Distillery – Hopkinsville Dueling Grounds Distillery – Franklin Hartfield & Co. – Paris James E. Pepper Distillery – Lexington Jeptha Creed Distillery – Shelbyville Kentucky Artisan Distillery – Crestwood Kentucky Peerless Distilling Co. – Louisville Limestone Branch Distillery – Lebanon MB Roland Distillery – Pembroke Neeley Family Distillery – Sparta New Riff Distillery – Newport The Old Pogue Distillery – Maysville Preservation Distillery – Bardstown Second Sight Spirits – Ludlow Willett Distillery – Bardstown Shop the Johnnie Walker Blue Label at ReserveBar!
