Lousiville is the home of bourbon, and distilleries are a huge part of the city. Below are some of the top distilleries in downtown Louisville.
All of the distilleries on this list offer tours where you can learn about the distillery’s history, how their bourbon is made, and even do a tasting. Some of them even have special classes where you can try their single-barrel whiskies or bottle your own whiskey as a souvenir.
Keep reading to find a fun distillery to visit during your trip to Louisville, KY.
Last updated: June 12, 2024
Published: September 19, 2023
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Looking for more travel guides for Louisville?
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The Top Louisville Distilleries
I put these downtown Louisville distilleries in the order you should visit them if you want to walk the Louisville part of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. The distilleries go from west to east, starting near the Slugger Museum, but you can always go from east to west 🙂
Pro travel tip: Stop at the Kentucky Bourbon Trail Visitor Center (Right by Kentucky Peerless) before hitting the distilleries!
1. Kentucky Peerless Distilling Co
Kentucky Peerless has been distilling whiskey since 1889, and everything they make is in a single building in Louisville.
The distillery has three experiences available:
- Tasting Experience
- Distillery Tour
- Heritage Tour
Address: 120 N 10th St, Louisville, KY 40202
2. Michter’s Fort Nelson Distillery
Michter’s has changed names a few times since its founding, starting as Shenk’s, then Bomberger’s, before becoming the Michter’s of today. But, it is still great whiskey, and they have three locations to visit in Kentucky, including the one in Louisville.
Michter’s has three tour options in a range of prices and rarity of the whiskey you taste:
- Discovery Tour
- Founders Tour
- Legacy Tour
Address: 801 W Main St, Louisville, KY 40202
3. Evan Williams Bourbon Experience
Evan Williams was the first distillery in Kentucky, which opened in 1783. They distill their whiskey in the heart of Louisville, and they have a fun bar, a shop where you can do tastings, and some tours.
If you are traveling with anyone under 21, they can tour the distillery too; they just can’t go to the tasting at the end of the tour.
Evan Williams has three tour/tasting options:
- Traditional Tour & Tasting
- Speakeasy Tasting Experience
- The Ideal Bartender Experience
Address: 528 W Main St, Louisville, KY 40202
4. Old Forester Distilling Co.
Old Forester bourbon is unique in that it is the only bourbon that has been consistently sold by the same company since before Prohibition. The distillery was one of the few that was allowed to make and sell whiskey during Prohibition and the only one still operating today.
Old Forester offers two distillery tours:
- Nothing Better in the Market Tour (VIP)
- Old Forester Tour (Standard)
If you don’t want to do a full tour, you can do a tasting or enjoy a cocktail at George’s Bar in the distillery.
Address: 119 W Main St, Louisville, KY 40202
5. Angel’s Envy Distillery
Angel’s Envy and the founding Henderson family have been distilling whiskey for decades. The name comes from the term “Angel’s Share,” which is the small percentage of bourbon lost during the aging process.
Angel’s Envy offers one tour called the Signature Tour, where you learn how Angel’s Envy was founded, see the bourbon process up close, and end with a tasting.
Address: 500 E Main St, Louisville, KY 40202
6. Rabbit Hole
Rabbit Hole is the newest distillery in Louisville, having opened in 2018. It’s in the Nulu neighborhood, the same neighborhood as many of the restaurants I recommended above.
And the rooftop bar has a great overlook of Louisville. Try coming around sunset if you want the best views.
Rabbit Hole offers one tour that people of all ages can take. But, people under 21 will not be able to do a tasting at the end.
Address: 711 E Jefferson St, Louisville, KY 40202
Enjoy all the distilleries Louisville has to offer!
If you love bourbon, Louisville and all the distilleries are must-visits for you during a trip to Kentucky.
Even if you don’t like bourbon too much, all the distilleries are cool to visit, and you can find plenty of other drinks to enjoy.
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