Bluegrass Distillers

4.8 (180 reviews)

ModerateDistilleries

Add Review

Call

Directions

Website

Bluegrass Distillers Photos

Bluegrass Distillers - Bluegrass Distillers is best small batch, hand made, craft bourbon distillery in the heart of Kentucky bourbon country. - Distilleries Near Me - Lexington, Kentucky

Bluegrass Distillers - The best of the Bluegrass. Kentucky bourbon whiskey from Bluegrass Distillers. - Distilleries Near Me - Lexington, Kentucky

Bluegrass Distillers - Bluegrass Distillers. A must visit when in Lexington, KY! - Distilleries Near Me - Lexington, Kentucky

+298

Bluegrass Distillers - Distilleries Near Me - Lexington, Kentucky

More like Bluegrass Distillers

Recommended Reviews - Bluegrass Distillers

Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.

Start your review...

Browse more easily on the app

Reviews With Photos

Scott S.

Fun stop if you're touring Lexington. Boarding the Legacy Trail which is a 12 mile shared-use greenway trail that connects downtown Lexington with area neighborhoods, parks, and historic sites. In the same block as bluegrass distillers there's a fun brewery (West Sixth) that shares a space with a seafood eatery so you get the best of everything! Bluegrass Distillers is laid back establishment and very affordable for under $20 you and your companion could try every whiskey. A few gift shop items and also remember there being a wall of syrups that you could sample/purchase.

Kaitlyn H.

I had such a great time visiting Bluegrass Distillers when I was visiting Lexington earlier this year. I chose to bottle my own Bourbon, and the process was very fun to follow. I was able to take home a souvenir from my time in Lexington, and enjoy the taste with my friends and family back home.

Amberly D.

Lovely distillery, up close and personal. Our tour guide Logan was awesome! You won't find a better small craft experience. The bourbon was great and the tasting was super cool. Probably out of all the tours I've done, I'd say this would make the top 5. Logan was knowledgeable and friendly and had all the answers to all the questions. Such a low key diamond in the rough ambiance.

Went here as group of 3 and it was amazing. We sampled the whiskey and the guy helping us was super attentive and friendly. He explained everything with a lot of detail and was able to guide us to which bottle to buy. Not pushy to sale anything but there was no need as the whiskey was amazing.

I always take a picture of a barrel when we do a tour!!

Cindy P.

Not only some of the best bourbon in all of Kentucky but hands down the best distillery tour and tasting we've ever been on! We've been across the entire United States and been in distilleries in nearly every state and this tour was the absolute best! Super relaxed and very thorough, it felt like our best friend was showing us where he worked and he loved his job! We got to taste the mash, the heads coming right off the still and of course the main offerings during the tasting. This place may be small but they're doing big things and really creating a loyal following with the type of customer service and appreciation they show. We got a bottle of the single barrel, raising funds for Camp Heroes, a non-profit organization providing outdoor experiences for wounded veterans and first responders. Bluegrass Distillers is truly a class act!

Sabrina I.

Came here randomly with my cousins before our engagement party. The tour guide was so awesome! She was so friendly and bubbly and really knew her stuff when it came to whiskey and their process. I love going to locally owned distilleries, it's great to see how they started and where they're at with expansion. Our tour took place outside, wish they had seating during our tour for the tasting part but no biggie. I loved that we were able to get a shot glass that was glass! Such a nice touch to take home. The tasting notes were so good and the setup was cute. If you're looking for a fun distillery to check out definitely stop here! Good vibes and good drinks!

Shawn L.

Stopped here while passing through after a quick Yelp search. It's a little out of the way but it was nice and I was happy I stopped by. I sampled 5 of there options settled on two I liked grabbed a hat and a jar of pickles and I was on my way. While here I discovered a few things that might help out anyone looking to visit. 1. It is off the main road so you need to look down the walking trail before you will see the sign 2. There online reservation system showed nothing available for today so I took a chance and they fit me right in. 3. They are in the process of building a new location but have not yet moved over to it so the location on Sixth Street is the current establishment. Overall a friendly crew that are knowledgeable in bourban and make a great product. The four stars is only for two reasons 1. Need better signage to direct people to the backside of the building. 2. I specifically went here for their blue corn bourbon and they had non available. I wish they had mentioned on their website they were out of it.

Wheated - Bottled In Bond Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Greg H.

Since I finished my work week early, and since I am in the middle of the Bourbon country, I thought I would take a distillery tour. I am a champion of small, local, craft businesses; so, after some research, I found Bluegrass Distillers in Lexington, Kentucky. I hopped on their website and booked a tour for 2:00. I stopped for lunch on the way and arrived at the distillery about a half hour early. The directions on the website help you find where to park and then hoe to get to the entrance. The entrance is on the Legacy Trail which you can access from the parking lot on Bellaire Avenue. The building is well over 100 years old and when you step inside, it is like stepping back in time. The area you enter is the tasting room as well as the area for retail sales. When I arrived, I spoke to a gentleman, who turned out to be my tour guide, to check in. He told me that I was the only person on the 2:00 tour but if I didn't mind waiting, he would like to wait to make sure there weren't any last minute tour bookings. I was in no hurry so I took the time to explore the room. Bottles of their whiskey were on shelves with distillery t-shirts on one wall. The other walls had photos of other distillery things plus concept pictures of the new distillery that is opening, hopefully, by the end of April. Two o'clock rolled around and as my tour guide was pouring samples of their whiskey for me to sample, he as asked me if I liked Rye whiskies. As luck would have it, I love Rye's, Barrel Proofs, Smokey, and Intense whiskey. So, instead of a Rye whiskey, he poured a sample of their new release: Wheated - Bottled In Bond Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. As is required by law, all barrel proofs are 100 proof. He asked me if I was okay with that to which I replied "Oh yeah..." Taking my tasting samples over to the bar, we sat down and he stared telling me about the start and history of the distillery. Bluegrass Distillers was started in 2012 by a local attorney who wanted to what I call, find a hobby. Unlike some distilleries, they started from scratch and did not use anyone else's whiskey as their own until theirs was ready. They waited until their whiskey was ready before releasing it. So, my guide started to tell me about what I was going to start tasting. We started with what they call Mash Bill #1 is where it all starts and all of their other whiskies are born from that. From there i moved in to the Toasted Oak Bourbon in a normal proof and their barrel proof version. One of the tasting notes he gave me was the slight hint of marsh mellows and sure enough it was there. He told me that because of the way the barrels for the Toasted Oak are prepared, the bourbon takes on a sweeter note than most bourbons. My fourth selection was the new Wheated. Rye whiskey is rye whiskey because of the greater quantity of rye used in the mash so it is also so with the Wheated. They use 75% yellow corm, 21% wheat, and 4% malted barley in the mash. It has a flavor profile I have not experienced before and I really like it. The last two whiskies in my tasting were their Elkwood small batch, and their Midway bourbon (they have three and I can't remember which I had). Elkwood is the name of the farm they bought which has a restored mansion and where the new distillery is almost complete. Midway is the name of a distillery in Midway, Kentucky that shut its doors at the start of prohibition. Blueegrass bought the rights to the name and have release a line of bourbons in honor of the history of bourbon in Midway. Both were very good! After the tasting, my guide took me back to where all the work is done. Now remember, this is a small, hand crafted, craft distillery, so don't expect a huge space with master craftspeople all over the place. The distillery is two rooms. One is used for aging their barrel proofs (all of the other whiskey they produce is taken to the farm) and the other room is where ALL of the whiskey they can produce is made. Right now, they can produce 300 barrels a year and that is done from one 380 gallon mash tank and 2 copper pot stills. It's pretty small but they make some tasty bourbon. As we were rapping up the tour, my guide told me everything they do is done by 8 people. I also got the feeling, from some other things he was saying to me, that he might be the attorney that retired and started a whiskey distillery because it sounded fun. Even if he isn't the owner, he is passionate about the whiskey that make and it rubs off. I want to start my own craft distillery now! lol With that, the tour was done and we went back up front where he prepared to start the next tour. I hung around for a few more minutes and ended up picking up a bottle of the Wheated - Bottled In Bond Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey... Batch 2, bottle number 1362. I plan on savoring it for some time to come.

This was a great tour. The guide was passionate. She walked us through the process and hyped their new facility to the point we cant wait to visit! They have a adorable kitty. We got to try blue corn bourbon and it was fabulous (still sad we couldnt bottle that one, but thats ok!). We did do the bottle your own experience and it was fun!

Annie S.

The tour was very interesting. We learned a lot about bourbon. Our guide Logan was very sweet. We would recommend!

They use blue corn in some of their bourbon - this is the mash.

We've gone to several different distilleries, but this one was the most intimate. I loved the personal treatment we got from Shane, who really gave us an in depth view of the making of bourbon. He was very knowledgeable and passionate about the company. We got so much great information that we hadn't heard elsewhere. Oh, and the bourbon and rye were great

See all

Jenn O.

304

6 years ago

Tasting was great, staff was friendly and extremely helpful. Be sure to stop by the cute distillery.

Helpful 1

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Matt S.

6 years ago

The tour is awesome, but the bourbon is better!! Justin the guide knew his stuff and we learned a lot.

Helpful 1

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Landon Drake V.

Elite 18

261

137

8 years ago

This was a great experience! We started with a quick and informative tour and ended with a generous tasting. To end it all, we received a 750 ML barrel drawn bottle that was freshly poured and labeled right before our eyes. A classic Kentucky proud establishment, Bluegrass Distillery is a must for bourbon enthusiasts! read more

Helpful 1

Thanks 0

Love this 1

Oh no 0

Jared S.

323

5 years ago

Tasted some really excellent bourbon whiskey here. The tour was informative and the smells are amazing. Plus, they are open on the days to the other distilleries are closed. read more

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Evan P.

5 years ago

Having been to many distilleries, Bluegrass Distillers stood out as having the best tour yet. Our tour guide Nate shared a wealth of knowledge and really made this tour special. read more

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Chris S.

5 years ago

Loved the Bluegrass Distilllers! We are visiting Lexington and happened across this place. Great bourbon tasting and a tour! The maple syrup and the pickle tasting were a definite hit! Steve was an amazing guide! A must do while in the city! read more

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Stephanie S.

4 years ago

Amazing service trom an amazing host I believe named Maddie!

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Rachel G.

6 years ago

Love how small this place is and looking forward to their expansion. Steve was very informative and we got to do a cool experience with the distillate coming off the still. We enjoyed all the samples especially the blue corn bourbon and the bourbon maple syrup. We recommend! read more

Business owner information

Maggie Y.

Thank you! We hope to see you at our new location when we open.

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Omar T.

4 years ago

Awesome place ! Great people very down to earth and fun I highly recommend it, my group was 5

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Cristy D.

6 years ago

We stumbled on an opportunity to do a tasting here and the staff are so friendly and knowledgeable. Their efforts are not lost in the new way to do business with Covid. You learn, you experience and you take away so much from your time here. read more

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Jennifer L.

5 years ago

Steve our guide was very informative. The reception staff was great. A very neat small distillery. We will be interested in seeing them next year in their new location. read more

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Pidor Y.

8 years ago

My first burbon tour and the burbon was great. Tour guide was very knowledgable. Yes, I bought some burbon to bring back home. read more

Helpful 1

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Deb S.

4 years ago

The staff was extremely informative and location is next to several other businesses that can be visited at the same time. Bourbon tasting was low key and a fun experience. read more

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Peyton B.

5 years ago

The tasting was a lot of fun! We really enjoyed all the flavors and the guide did a great job introducing each one.

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Mitch R.

275

9 years ago

Stoped in to check off another distillery on the craft bourbon tour. An old warehouse that was renovated into a modern and open space with a distillery in the back. The staff was friendly and the tour guides were knowledgeable and passionate. They use blue corn in their recipe which is unique from other distillers. Wasn't a big fan of their bourbon or moonshine. Was too young/not aged long enough for my tastes.!overall good experience and interested in trying their bourbon in a few years read more

Helpful 1

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Wendy S.

4 years ago

Steve was very entertaining and provided lots of great info. And the products were great! Can't wait to visit you in Midway!

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Dan M.

4 years ago

Tour here was beyond amazing. Very relaxed and comfortable. Our guide Maddie CRUSHED it! By far best tour we took this weekend. If you can get here, you won't be disappointed. Ask for Maddie! read more

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Kacie L.

126

6 years ago

Awesome tasting today! Love Tipsy the cat and the amazing craft atmosphere. The Blue Corn recipe is wonderful!

Helpful 1

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Andrea M.

8 years ago

Fun tasting and you get to fill your own bottle!!! Tastings are only $5 a person. The tour took about 30 minutes. Guide was informative and the process is SO interesting. The building can be a little hard to find and the parking was a little sketch but worth it. Highly recommend. read more

Business owner information

Maggie Y.

Hi Andrea,…

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Jon A.

4 years ago

I had been on the Bourbon Trail for 3 days and had experienced several tours. Bluegrass was the last one I did and I enjoyed the " up close and personal" nature of the tour. Our guide, Steve, was knowledgeable and easily shared his knowledge with us. And, they make some great bourbon and whiskey. read more

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Matthew B.

7 years ago

Friendly staff and good bourbon in the beautiful historic part of Lexington. All of their bourbons are crafted and not sourced. They run regular free tours. Definitely worth stopping in for. read more

Helpful 1

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

KentuckyBourbon T.

130

8 years ago

A very determined group of young people taking on KY Bourbon and producing some better, than distillers 100X their size. There's many new distillers, Bluegrass has great Bourbon and a campy, intimate tour. We covered the tour with movie clips and their Bourbon on our, you tube, KY Bourbon traveler https://youtu.be/BkzYrLTzHLA webcast. read more

See all

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Cassie F.

4 years ago

We hit up Bluegrass after visiting two of the larger distilleries, and our guide Justin knocked it out of the park. If you're a true bourbon enthusiast, you'll appreciate his knowledge of the industry! read more

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Emily B.

Elite 25

465

7 years ago

My husband and I have walked by this place several times and finally went in to check it out. I'm so glad we did! The staff were friendly and informative, the environment was comfortable and relaxed, and I really enjoyed their bourbon! I live in Lexington and have done a few different bourbon tastings and am usually lucky if I even slightly enjoy one of the offered bourbons. We were able to taste three at Bluegrass Distillers as part of a special event, and I genuinely liked all of them. The one made with blue corn was my favorite and I'm already planning a return trip to buy a bottle while its available (I think its a special release). This place is small, but the owners are doing everything right and I'm really glad to have them on my radar. read more

Business owner information

Maggie Y.

Thank you so very much Emily!

Helpful 2

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Brandon R.

4 years ago

Excellent experience!! The distillery is a small craft distillery, but clean & efficient. This provides the opportunity to see all the steps in their process. Much of their process is done by hand, ensuring each bottle is up to their quality standard. The tour guide was so knowledgeable, personable & fun! Their products are delicious! Looking forward to returning! read more

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Bruce W.

Elite 25

177

144

125

7 years ago

Had a lot of fun stopping in for a tour and tasting. Very friendly staff and the products are outstanding.

Helpful 1

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Patrick G.

7 years ago

Simple and straightforward tour of the distilling process, and overall a very relaxed experience! None of the flashiness of other distilleries, but we appreciated that! Staff is friendly and the bourbon is great! Highly recommended :) read more

Helpful 1

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Abi B.

Elite 26

272

338

508

8 years ago

This was our final stop on the Craft Bourbon Trail! We had tried to go once before but got there right at the 5pm closing time and everything was already locked up. We finally made it back and got to get our final stamps and mint julep cups as the prize. The two employees were so kind and excited for us to have finished the CBT. The gift shop area is extremely small, there's not a lot to see. They offer tours but we didn't end up going on one. They do have free tastings which I have realized is both incredibly rare and incredibly important for a distillery. It's offensive to me that many require you to spend money just to sample their liquor.... craziness! If it's that good, I'll end up spending enough $$ on the full bottle itself. But generally we opt out of tastings that are more than $5. Anyway- Bluegrass does free tastings and I love them for it! I encourage you to stop by if you're passing through Lexington or just want to try some delicious bourbon. read more

Helpful 4

Thanks 0

Love this 3

Oh no 0

Anneke M.

Elite 21

132

172

10 years ago

Fantastic little operation, perfect for folks who a) love bourbon and want to see how it's made, and b) like hearing from a small group of folks who are clearly passionate and happy with what they're making. We did the paid tour (a very reasonable $5), which included a tour of the facility, tastings, and a great branded rocks glass at the end. The two guys who showed us around were friendly and super knowledgeable, and the bourbon and rye we tried were fantastic! Part of the tasting (but sadly sold out) is a white dog they make with blue corn, which was a unique treat to try. read more

Helpful 2

Thanks 0

Love this 2

Oh no 0

Kevin R.

4 years ago

Wanted to find the smaller distillers during the trip to Lexington and this one was great. Our tasting was very informative, more so than what the larger distillers provide. We had 6 options to taste with distinctive flavor profiles that were easy on the palette. Definitely worth a trip if you're in the area. read more

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

French B.

6 years ago

Nice tour, great samples. A small operation but a great product. American dream style, entrepreneurs doing something they're passionate about. Kudos!!! read more

See all

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Kyle M.

134

7 years ago

Awesome. Just go it's very small but the personal service is great. I highly recommend the place for your first bourbon trail adventure. Set the whole tone then try to get to Glen Creek further out. read more

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Joe F.

4 years ago

The Blue Grass tour and tasting was excellent. I have toured at least 15 bourbon distilleries and I thought I knew everything about bourbon. Blue Grass taught me much more. read more

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

J S.

4 years ago

We booked a tour at Bluegrass Distillers, and it did not disappoint! Steve was a great tour guide, very informative and knowledgeable about bourbon and the industry. Really liked the blue corn bourbon, and the food products were also amazing!! Definitely put it on your itinerary! read more

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Ed B.

111

6 years ago

Great little distillery. Well made Bourbon. Staff was friendly and attentive. The Bourbon is made from blue corn which gives it a unique taste. Also a very good cinnamon sipping bourbon. read more

Helpful 2

Thanks 0

Love this 1

Oh no 0

Dean Z.

7 years ago

My wife and I were in town for the UK-Louisville game and didn't want to drive to Frankfort in the rain so we came here instead, we were the only ones signed up for the 4:00 tour so we started early. Nathan was our guide and taster host. I liked all 3 bourbons we sampled but didn't really care for the cinnamon whiskey sample. Luckily, there were some extra samples that Nathan let us have to get rid of the cinnamon taste. The tour isn't long, but you do get to see everything. Tipsy the cat followed us around and was a great part of the tour. We ended up,getting a pour your own bottle of the single barrel to share with friends. Nathan also recommended tbe County Club across the street. That was some excellent smoked meat. Thanks Nathan. read more

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Brian W.

4 years ago

Rob gave a fantastic tour. Very informative. Lots of bourbon history. Very good sense of humor.

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Lauri A.

416

7 years ago

Stopped in on the KY Bourbon Trail Craft Tour. Had a great free tasting and we really enjoyed the blue corn bourbon. So much we took some home! read more

Helpful 1

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Stephen M.

5 years ago

Bourbons were really good. But the PICKLES. OMG the pickles were best we've ever had!! The bourbon cake was amazing as well. All around a great experience. We didn't have time for the tour but did a tasting and very happy we did. read more

Business owner information

Maggie Y.

Thanks for the review. The pickles have been a huge hit. So glad you…

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Liisa L.

4 years ago

This was a great way to spend 45 minutes. The tour begins with tastings and some conversation and then more explanation about the distillery process and 'bourbon' in general. It was very relaxed with a small group setting and was informative. The price was just right, and each tour participant also gets a branded shot glass. Very friendly staff as well. read more

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Page 3 of 5

501 W 6th St
Ste 165
Lexington, KY 40508
Directions
(859) 217-2377
Call Now
Visit Website
http://bluegrassdistillers.com

Hours

What time does Bluegrass Distillers open?

Bluegrass Distillers opens at 10:00 AM on Friday and Saturday.Bluegrass Distillers opens at 12:00 PM on Sunday.

What time does Bluegrass Distillers close?

Bluegrass Distillers is closed on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.Bluegrass Distillers closes at 5:00 PM on Friday and Saturday.Bluegrass Distillers closes at 4:00 PM on Sunday.

Mon-Thu ClosedFri-Sat 10:00 AM - 5:00 PMSun 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Payment methods

Does Bluegrass Distillers take credit cards?

Yes, Bluegrass Distillers takes credit cards.

Food & Alcohol

Does Bluegrass Distillers have catering options?

Yes, Bluegrass Distillers does have catering options.

Does Bluegrass Distillers have a happy hour?

No, Bluegrass Distillers does not have a happy hour.

Outdoor Amenities

Does Bluegrass Distillers have bike parking?

Yes, Bluegrass Distillers has bike parking.

Does Bluegrass Distillers have parking?

Yes, Bluegrass Distillers has parking options. Street Parking

Other Amenities

Is Bluegrass Distillers wheelchair accessible?

Yes, Bluegrass Distillers is wheelchair accessible.

From the Business

Specialties

Bluegrass Distillers is a craft bourbon distillery in the heart of the Kentucky Bluegrass where fast horses are bred and where the best bourbon in the world is made. Our recipes are formulated in house and each batch hand crafted at our distillery with organic and locally sourced Kentucky Proud ingredients. Following distillation, our spirits are aged to perfection right here in our new custom made charred white oak barrels. Our special group is very proud that every aspect of our product from the blending of ingredients, mashing, fermentation, distillation in our 250 gallon copper still, bottling, and even labelling is done in our own distillery by the hands of our dedicated team.

History

Established in 2012.

Production began at the distillery in 2012, with each batch being mashed by hand.The next three years were spent fine-tuning their mashes and giving their bourbon plenty of time to develop smooth, complex flavors. Doors opened to the public in November of 2015. Bluegrass Distillers announced in 2020 plans for their expansion to Elkwood Farm in Midway, KY. Visit their website for updates on the new location and tours.

Meet the Business Owner: Ben F.

Ben Franzini was born and raised in Morehead, KY and attended the University of Kentucky to study Engineering. He is a Systems Engineer and entrepreneur with 20 years of experience in the aerospace, software, and hospitality industries. Ben loves that Bourbon must, by law, be authentic and that it is an agrarian product that beautifully showcases our proud Kentucky provenance. Ben is an Executive Bourbon Steward and enjoys spending time with his wife and four sons.

Ask the Community - Bluegrass Distillers

Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

Lexington Distillery District

5.0

(5 reviews)

1.4 mi

100% amazing. Far exceeded what I was even expecting. I can't even say enough positive about the…read moretour. We visited venues all within walking distance and learned so much about the history of the distillery district. We stopped at local spots and tested some absolutely amazing bites. When they mean bites, they don't mean a little nibble, they mean a good amount of food throughout the three hour tour. My suggestion is not to eat ahead of time like I did. I was far too full to enjoy a couple of the plates. Tour guide Kaylee was absolutely amazing, friendly, personable, and had such a passion for what she did. She had Mead shadowing her and he took over on parts of the tour and did a great job for being his first. Very talented and great personality.

We had a great time walking around the Lexington Distillery District! Plenty of spots to pop in and…read morehave a drink or food. We'll be back!

Photos

RD ONE tasting

Relic was our meeting point. Absolutely beautiful shop.

See all

Historic building with so much amazing history

James E Pepper Distillery

4.6

(89 reviews)

1.5 mi

This was a very unique tour experience. And in a good way! I have been on a bunch of bourbon tours…read moreat distilleries. This was by far one of the most memorable. From getting to taste the mash, to the whiskey, right off the steel, and then the thumb right out of the barrel to try and barrel proof. It was an amazing tour. Our guide was very engaging and had lots of great stories. I would highly recommend this to her if you're in the Lexington area

I love that they are a dog friendly distillery! Dogs are allowed in their front indoor tasting area…read moreand the outside area. Everyone who worked there was so friendly and so sweet to our pups. They gave our dogs a shot glass full of treats which I thought was adorable. Their bourbons are smooth and have that perfect honey/caramel taste. They also do pre-prohibition styled old fashioned cocktails and mine was phenomenal.

Photos

Yummm...

See all

Lexington Brewing & Distilling Co.

Started our bourbon trail experience here and it was fantastic We had a tour and Michael was our…read moretour guide He was so great He is knowledgeable funny and loves his whiskey His recommendations were spot on It's a smaller distillery which is why I liked it so much Cost of tour $18 So reasonable It's a great way to spend an afternoon

Top notch tour here. Appreciate their tasting program where there is a large amount of items you…read morecan sample and tokens are provided with paid tour. They do a great job explaining what is ahead and how many samples you can get to ensure you get your top choices. Gift shop prices are competitive but you can still buy the same prices cheaper at a liquor store outside of the distillery.

Photos

Inside of the visitor center to start the tour.

Town Branch Kentucky Bourbon

See all

Town Branch Distillery

4.6

(11 reviews)

1.2 mi

We attended the later tour to see the sunset, unfortunately it rained lol. But it was still a great…read moretime, we were the only two and we got a complimentary cocktail made to our liking. It was nice that the tour guide took the time to see what we liked and make us a cocktail with their spirits. I think it's a very chic distillery and not many of us locals know it's here. It's worth a tour!

Wonderful tour with a great tour guide Michael. My dad and I liked bourbon but mom and wife do not…read morebut he made sure that we all enjoyed it and found a tasting for them to enjoy. Sign up for the tour and get 4 tasting tokens each. I spent 3 on beers and my other and wife's 3 on bourbons. I especially liked the vanilla cream ale and tangerine ale beers. Bourbons I liked the maple the best. Other stops along the trail they'll show you how it's actually being made which wasn't shown here but made up for with all the tastings and nice gift shop. Must stop when in Lexington. Cool Irish theme in the visitors center.

Photos

See all

Notice the weather vane...

Elkhorn Tavern

Edward was the embodiment of hospitality. This man's service makes you feel like you're at a home…read moreaway from home. Truly blessed to have been served by such a gem of a human. Great food. Great drinks. PHENOMENAL ED.

Just a nice little bar. We just wanted to try the bourbon from the distillery next door and had a…read moreflight here and decided to grab a snack too. They had lots of different seating options. We sat at a couch and there was the bar and high tops and outside seating. Their charcuterie board might put them out of business-j/k. We just wanted a half and when it showed up I questioned the waitress because it was massive. Everything on it was tasty too. Now I have no idea how any other food is but it was just a neat place to rest and chat before heading on to other bourbon adventures.

Photos

Whiskey selection

See all

Barrel House Distilling

Great bourbon! Nice bartenders and nice decor. Nice gift shop. They have lots of different…read morebourbons at the bar not just theirs.

We stopped here as part of the craft trail. Dave, our tour guide, was so fun to talk to. And very…read moreknowledgeable on the history of the property. It was interesting to learn about the building having burnt down and rebuilt multiple times. We also got to see an employee quality checking each individual bottle and labeling. I absolutely love the craftsmanship that goes into the process.

Photos

Their selection part 2

See all

Some of tastings

Fresh Bourbon

4.8

(25 reviews)

1.3 mi

Outstanding experience from start to finish. So glad we made an appointment for the tasting tour…read more Great service from beginning to end. I am not a bourdon person but they might have just made me love it. Their vodka and bourdons were amazing. I highly recommend even if you're a rookie like me. The decor is fabulous. Definitely feel the woman's touch thorough. Classy joint with great bourdon.

I had a really wonderful visit to this Black owned whiskey tasting room. I was visiting Lexington…read moreand Nashville for my 47th birthday and this place was my first stop after landing at the Lexington airport. The tasting room is really well appointed with the lighting fixtures, seating and beautiful bar. The bartender was so kind and took his time telling me all about the whiskies made there at Fresh, as well as the back story behind the owners. This was a really wonderful way to start my birthday long weekend.

Photos

Gift shop

Sugar cube holder

See all

Beautiful and an amazing Bourbon Experience...

RD1 Spirits

4.8

(33 reviews)

1.4 mi

Really enjoyed the tour! They have good bourbon. Looks like the area is going to really be built up…read moresoon. Really nice building.

This was our group's second stop on the bourbon trail, and we were overall pleased with our…read moreexperience. The tour itself was very short--I would've liked a more in-depth overview of the process. That said, our tour guide was nice and handled the incredibly disrespectful group that was touring with us very well. The facility was brand new, modern, and overall beautiful. They don't offer food (yet?), but there are many options nearby. The bourbon tasting was a little disorganized, but overall we had a great time. They offered accompaniments for each bourbon, and even had some samples for their experimental bourbons available. I would definitely recommend this stop on the bourbon trail--I'm sure all of the kinks will be worked out in no time!

Photos

Ice sculpture for the grand opening.

Bar @RD1 Spirits

See all

What a Beautiful New Home for RD1 Spirits!!!

Bespoken Spirits

4.9

(9 reviews)

0.6 mi

Very cool look at a distillery that is using new processes! Also, you rarely get a distillery that…read moreis located in town, just due to the space restrictions. Different options of customizing when ordering your own bottles and it's so varied - mesquite? Mizunara oak? You bet! No matter your question, they will go above and beyond to get you an answer. Cocktails are absolutely delicious too, and you'll enjoy the tasting after your tour.

What a great experience to buy bourbon. Staff is incredibly knowledgeable and friendly. Great…read morevariety of local bourbons that you can't get at home. Variable price points that allow any bourbon lover to get something they will enjoy. Will definitely come back on any future trips to Lexington

Photos

See all

Vibes

Giuseppe's Ristorante Italiano

First time at Giuseppe's since moving to Lexington. Appetizers and mains (arancini and mussel…read moreappetizers and veal piccata and scampi aglio and olio) were really outstanding. Salads ( Caesar and Gorgonzola) were forgettable- neither of us finished. Enjoyable space. It was busy and lively without being overwhelming loud. Negative is parking. Not sure when they have extensive parking lots they make you choose between parking on side of narrow street or paying $10 for valet parking. Even on a busy night one parking lot was empty but blocked off with sign saying valet only.

For the past ten years we've made a tradition of visiting a dear friend in Lexington while…read moretraveling south. Sometimes it's just a one-night stop, sometimes a few days, but we always take her out for a proper dinner. This trip, arriving from Chicago and following my chiropractor's enthusiastic recommendation, we chose Giuseppe's, and it turned out to be a very lovely evening. The space is warm and inviting, with plenty of wood, cozy lighting, and an impressive display of bourbons and wines that immediately sets a welcoming tone. We started with gnocchi and mozzarella alla milanese. The gnocchi were nicely al dente and the paired sauces complemented each other well. My husband and I shared the daily special, halibut with a light creamy caper sauce. The fish leaned slightly overcooked, but the flavors were still very enjoyable, and the Brussels sprouts were perfectly done. Our friend ordered the fettuccine Alfredo, and after one bite I understood her happiness... rich, creamy, and comforting. Dessert became a celebration: a Spumoni Bomba (three gelatos wrapped in a chocolate shell) and a warm maple cake with ice cream that was honestly sinful in the best way. Our server, Tim, didn't make the strongest first impression but warmed up quickly becoming attentive and pleasant. Cocktails could use a little more polish, my Old Fashioned was a bit harsh, and I was surprised a Boulevardier wasn't available despite a Negroni being on the menu and bourbon well represented. Overall, a very good experience and a wonderful dinner with friends, not bad at all for just a brief stop in town.

Photos

Beautiful interior.

INSALATA CESARE

See all

Blue Door Smokehouse

OMG after a year searching for a barbecue restaurant with the brisket that will make your mouth…read morewater. We finally found one now we're from Arizona and Caldwell's was our favorite restaurant specially for the brisket. Well, the blue door smokehouse in Lexington Kentucky is right up there with Caldwell's in Arizona. It's delicious blue doors brisket will knock your socks off. You can get it either lean or you can have a fatty their side dishes are delicious along with their pulled pork and pulled chicken. I would highly recommend this restaurant if you haven't gone here they have a special or you get all five meats for $27 and then you can get your side to go along with it. It's more than enough for 2 to 3 people to eat and it's delicious. We finally found a barbecue. So these people, some love because they deserve it. The service is excellent very quick very hospitable. Everything was wonderful. You can eat inside or outside all the barbecue sauces are on the table so you can use as much or as little as you want but honestly, this meat does not need barbecue sauce. That is a side of a really good barbecue place is not to have the sauce your meat so go

Sides were my favorite here. Love the seasonal option of cottage cheese & tomatoes -- the tomatoes…read morewere incredible. Ranch beans are tasty, potato salad 10/10. Two choices for coleslaw, either vinegar based or creamy based. Pickles on the side with a sweet seasoning blend was a nice touch (I love pickles!) Pulled pork was excellent, tender, juicy and flavorful on its own. Unfortunately I found the brisket to be dry. My friend ordered the ribs and said they were excellent. Three bbq sauce choices, sweet, spicy or tangy. They all were kind of similar to me, although the sweet was sweet and the tangy was tangy; the spicy tasted like a combo of the other two. We went around 3pm on a Saturday and the wait was not long. Counter ordering & they bring food to your table. Nice outdoor seating with umbrella coverage. We had a group of 8 and were seated comfortably outside. Also bonus there's an ice cream shop next door. Generous portion sizes, great for a group, overall a nice experience & atmosphere, but not one to glow about.

See all