Bardstown, Kentucky
Founded in 1780, Bardstown is Kentucky’s second-oldest city and is officially recognized as the “Bourbon Capital of the World” with nine distinct bourbon distilleries all within 16 miles of its beautiful downtown. Two more distilleries will be finished by 2022. Bardstown was named “The Most Beautiful Small Town in America” in 2012 by USA Today and Rand McNally and has nearly 200 buildings in the downtown district on the National Register of Historic Places. Here are some favorites.
Bardstown Bourbon Company — A must-see Napa Valley–style experience on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, featuring a state-of-the-art distillery, full-service restaurant and bar and vintage spirits library. bardstownbourbon.com/who-we-are
Scout & Scholar Brewing Company — Named after the two brothers who founded the City of Bardstown, Scout & Scholar is the city’s first craft brewery and restaurant. scoutandscholar.com
Preservation Distillery — Preservation Distillery and Farm, sitting on 40 beautiful acres, is a hidden treasure pot-distilling in the small one- to three-barrel batches. preservationdistillery.com
Barton 1792 Distillery — Situated in heart of bourbon country on 196 acres, Barton is the oldest fully operating distillery in Bardstown. 1792distillery.com
Lux Row Distillers — Family owned and operated for over 60 years. Lux Row is home to a new state-of-theart distillery opened in 2018, which includes six barrel warehouses, a visitor center and tasting room. luxrowdistillers. com
Heaven Hill Bourbon Experience — Visit the largest family owned and operated bourbon distillery in the world with a rich history for a tour and tasting in one of three iconic tasting rooms. heavenhilldistillery.com
The Bar at Willett — For over 80 years, Willett Distillery has been independently family-owned and operated. The Bar at Willett provides guests with the opportunity to sip whiskey and experience that special Willett family southern hospitality. thebaratwillett.com
My Old Kentucky Dinner Train — Enjoy a beautiful two-hour lunch or dinner while aboard the beautifully restored 1940s dining cars, experience a journey through the beautiful Kentucky countryside, passing through the Bernheim Forest over a wooden trestle bridge and by famous distilleries such as Four Roses and Jim Beam. kydinnertrain.com
The Old Talbott Tavern and Inn — Since the late 1770s, the Talbott Tavern, located on historic Court Square has provided shelter, food and drink to Kentucky travelers. It has been called the oldest western stagecoach stop in America. talbotttavern.com
Boone’s Butcher Shop — The butchery is family owned and operated, a retail meat store, slaughterhouse and custom processing facility celebrating over 70 years in business. Bring a cooler. boonesbutchershop.com/about-us
Bardstown Burger — Fast-food burgers in a downtown storefront, done local and done right. bardstownburger.com
Fresh — Serving house-made pastries and lunch daily, along with delicious smoothies and Good Folks Coffee with an environmentally positive approach. freshcoffeebardstown.com
