Bardstown KY Bourbon Trail

Photos from two of the bourbon distilleries on the Bourbon Trail, Willett and Maker's Mark. There is lots to do in Bardstown, KY, including local eateries, modest museums, a state park in the center of town, and lots of distilleries within a short drive. There is also a dinner train that serves lunch and dinner on certain days. Reservations are recommended. The train winds along a path that goes by several distilleries, a national forest, historic landmarks, and across the only surviving wooden trellis from the Civil War.

They call you to this door when the tour is ready to begin.

26 / 56

They call you to this door when the tour is ready to begin.

I had the strong sense they had taken lessons from Disney in crowd management, but the tone was decidedly different. The tour guides spent several minutes laying out the ground rules of what would and would not be tolerated on the tour and made sure everyone was paying attention. It reminded me of several Army Drill Sargents I experienced long ago. This was different from the much more intimate and friendly Willett experience where the feeling was, "Come on in and let us show you how we make bourbon." However, this was the only part of the Maker's Mark tour that was uncomfortable. Everyone else was friendly and very accomodating.

Autumn Bardstown Bourbon Trail KY Maker's Mark bourbon colorful day distillary fall tour

Jim Pottkotter Photography

Bardstown KY Bourbon Trail