After spending two days exploring Louisville, it was finally time to head to the bourbon capital of the world, Bardstown, Kentucky. This was the part of the trip we had been looking forward to most, with iconic distilleries, incredible food, and one of the coolest hotels we've ever stayed at.
If you're planning your own Bourbon Trail adventure, here's exactly how we spent our time in Bardstown.
Day 3: Welcome to Bardstown
After brunch in Louisville, we packed up the car and made our way toward Bardstown. Along the way, we stopped at Buc-ee's in Bowling Green to charge the car before continuing on.
Bardstown Bourbon Company
Our first official stop was Bardstown Bourbon Company for our 2:00 p.m. Core Four distillery tour.
This was an awesome introduction to Bardstown's bourbon scene. The campus is absolutely beautiful, and we loved learning about their modern approach to bourbon making while still honoring Kentucky traditions.
Of course, we couldn't leave without browsing the gift shop, and after a little shopping we stayed for lunch at their on-site restaurant. If you're visiting, I definitely recommend planning enough time to enjoy a meal because the food was just as impressive as the bourbon.
Checking into The Trail Hotel
After lunch, we headed to The Trail Hotel, which would be our home for the next two nights.
The hotel was designed specifically with Bourbon Trail visitors in mind, and every detail reflected that. From the décor to the amenities, it felt like a destination all on its own rather than just a place to sleep.
Dinner at Oak & Ember
That evening we had dinner reservations at Oak & Ember, the hotel's signature restaurant, and it ended up being one of our favorite meals of the entire trip.
To start, we shared the smoked salmon dip, shrimp cocktail, and truffle fries.
For our entrees, I ordered the seasonal pasta featuring mussels in a garlic white wine sauce. Zach chose the rigatoni with duck sausage and vodka sauce. Branson ordered the fish special of the evening, while Jazz enjoyed the filet mignon.
To make the night even more memorable, the staff surprised Branson with a birthday dessert complete with sparklers.
Discovering the Hidden Speakeasy
After dinner, we decided to find the hotel's hidden speakeasy.
Let's just say it took us a minute to figure out how to get inside, but once we did, it was absolutely worth it. The cocktails were fantastic, and it felt like discovering one of Bardstown's best-kept secrets.
The Rejuvenation Room
Before calling it a night, we changed into comfortable clothes and visited one of the most unique hotel amenities we've ever experienced.
The Trail Hotel's Rejuvenation Room features an oxygen bar, Himalayan salt room, sauna, and cryotherapy. We spent some time relaxing in the sauna before heading back to our room to get some sleep before a full day of distillery hopping.
Day 4: Distillery Hopping Through Bardstown
Breakfast at Oak & Ember
We started the morning back at Oak & Ember for breakfast.
If you visit, order the breakfast burrito. Trust me.
With plenty of fuel for the day ahead, it was time to start checking distilleries off the list.
Preservation Distillery
Our first stop was Preservation Distillery, a woman-owned distillery located right next to The Trail Hotel.
Beyond making great bourbon, they have an incredible story that made the visit even more memorable. It was the perfect way to kick off a day dedicated to discovering Bardstown's bourbon scene.
Chicken Cock Whiskey
Next, we headed into downtown Bardstown to visit Chicken Cock Whiskey.
They had just celebrated their anniversary the day before and invited us to stop by their tasting room.
Everyone we met was unbelievably welcoming. During our visit we sampled several bourbons, tried their bourbon-infused ice cream, and even sipped on their twist on a piña colada.
Before we left, they surprised us with gift bags featuring their distillery-exclusive rye and bourbon along with some of the funniest bourbon merchandise I've ever seen.
Heaven Hill Distillery
Our next stop wasn't originally on the itinerary.
As we were driving, we passed the massive Heaven Hill Distillery campus and immediately decided we had to stop.
We booked their barrel tasting experience and were blown away. Not only was the tasting incredibly informative, but we also learned just how many legendary bourbon brands are part of the Heaven Hill family, including Elijah Craig, Evan Williams, and Larceny.
The visitor center was beautiful, and after seeing everything they offer, I already know we'll be back with more time to explore their museum.
Maker's Mark Distillery
Finally, it was time for the stop we had planned this entire trip around.
Maker's Mark Distillery.
Zach has been a Maker's Mark Ambassador for several years, so visiting the distillery has been on our bucket list for a long time.
The campus completely exceeded our expectations. It's full of artwork, unique installations, beautiful grounds, and so much history. It was fascinating learning that every drop of Maker's Mark is still produced on this single campus.
Our tour guide, Madison, made the experience even better. She was incredibly knowledgeable and made the tour one of our favorites of the trip.
Of course, we couldn't leave without dipping our own bottles in the iconic red wax before browsing the gift shop for a few souvenirs.
If you're only visiting one distillery in Bardstown, this is the one I'd prioritize.
Dinner at Scout & Scholar
After our tour, we headed back into downtown Bardstown for dinner at Scout & Scholar Brewing Co.
It was fun running into several people from our Maker's Mark tour while we were there.
I had been craving a chili cheese dog all day, and theirs absolutely hit the spot. Zach ordered the smashburger, and both were the perfect way to end a day of bourbon tasting.
A Relaxing Final Evening
Instead of squeezing in one more stop, we decided to spend our final evening enjoying everything The Trail Hotel had to offer.
We relaxed by the pool for a while before changing into pajamas for what became one of the funniest memories of the trip.
The hotel has a golf simulator that guests can rent by the hour, but connected to it is a lounge with a full bar and plenty of seating.
We turned it into our own pajama party, grabbed drinks, and streamed the latest Casa Amor episode of Love Island so we wouldn't fall behind while traveling.
Honestly, it was the perfect way to unwind after spending the entire day exploring distilleries with our friends.
Heading Home
The next morning we checked out of The Trail Hotel and made the drive back to Georgia.
Between the incredible distilleries, amazing food, beautiful scenery, and genuinely kind people we met throughout the trip, it's easy to see why the Kentucky Bourbon Trail has become such a bucket-list destination.
Whether you're a bourbon enthusiast or just looking for a unique weekend getaway, we'd absolutely recommend splitting your time between Louisville and Bardstown. Each offers something completely different, and together they made for one unforgettable road trip.