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.
“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
KENTUCKY 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
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