FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is bourbon and how is it different from other whiskeys?
All bourbon is whiskey but not all whiskey is bourbon. Bourbon officially the Native Spirit of the United States with a very specific set of regulations around it. Bourbon is an American whiskey made from a grain mixture containing at least 51% corn, aged in new charred oak barrels. Unlike other whiskeys, bourbon must be produced in the United States, come off the still at less than 160 proof, entered into the barrel at no more than 125 proof, and bottled at no less than 80 proof. The corn content gives bourbon its characteristic sweetness, while the charred oak aging process imparts flavors of vanilla, caramel, and spice. Approximately 95% of the world’s bourbon is made in Kentucky, where ideal climate conditions and limestone-filtered water create optimal production environments.
Where is Bardstown Bourbon Company located and do you have multiple facilities?
We operate two locations to serve bourbon enthusiasts. Our main distillery and production facility is located at 1500 Parkway Dr in Bardstown, Kentucky, the Bourbon Capital of the World. This 100-acre campus features our state-of-the-art distillery, glass rickhouses, our world-class kitchen and bar, and retail shop. Our second location is the Louisville Tasting Room at 730 W Main St on historic Whiskey Row in downtown Louisville, offering interactive tasting experiences, educational programs, craft cocktails, and retail merchandise. Both locations provide unique ways to experience our bourbon.
What is the difference between bourbon and whiskey in terms of production?
Bourbon follows stricter production requirements than general whiskey. Bourbon must contain at least 51% corn in its mash bill, be distilled to no more than 160 proof, enter the barrel at no more than 125 proof, and age in new charred oak barrels with no additives except water. The international standard for whiskey states that it can be made from any cereal grain, aged in used or new barrels, and specific types may choose to include coloring or flavoring agents. Both spirits are distilled from fermented grain mash, but bourbon’s specific requirements create its distinctive sweet, smooth character with vanilla and caramel notes.
How long does bourbon need to age to be called bourbon?
Bourbon has no minimum aging requirement to be called bourbon, though it must be aged in new charred oak barrels. However, to be labeled “straight bourbon,” it must age for at least two years. If aged less than four years, the label must state the exact aging period. At Bardstown Bourbon Company, our core bourbons are all 100% estate-distilled whiskies aged for six years, allowing for deeper flavor development and complexity.
What is the Kentucky Bourbon Trail and is Bardstown Bourbon Company part of it?
The Kentucky Bourbon Trail is an official program featuring premier bourbon distilleries across Kentucky that offer tours and tastings. Bardstown Bourbon Company is a proud member of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, being the first Napa Valley-style destination to combine world-class distilling, culinary excellence, and innovative beverage programs. Located in Bardstown, the Bourbon Capital of the World, we offer multiple tour experiences showcasing our modern, transparent approach to bourbon making, from our glass rickhouses to our behind-the-scenes distillery operations and vintage spirits library.
What types of bourbon does Bardstown Bourbon Company produce?
Bardstown Bourbon is a modern take on a traditional industry who respects tradition while pushing the boundaries of bourbon. We produce a range of 100% estate-distilled six-year-old bourbons and rye, including high wheat, bottled-in-bond, and traditional bourbon recipes. Our Discovery Series celebrates blending art by combining whiskies from different sources. Our Collaborative Series showcases unique barrel finishes, partnering with respected wine, beer, and spirits producers to create innovative expressions. The Distillery Reserve Collection represents our most experimental and limited releases, featuring rare cask finishes like Cathedral French Oak, Hokkaido Mizunara Oak, and Normandie Calvados.
What is the difference between single barrel and small batch bourbon?
Single barrel bourbon comes from one individual barrel, meaning each bottle captures that barrel’s unique characteristics and flavor profile. No two single barrels taste exactly alike due to variations in barrel location, wood grain, and aging conditions. While there is no legal definition, small batch bourbon blends select barrels to be blended together, typically ranging from a few dozen to several hundred barrels, to achieve consistent flavor profiles while maintaining quality and character. At Bardstown Bourbon Company, we offer both single barrel selections and expertly crafted blends across our product lines, allowing enthusiasts to experience different expressions of our bourbon-making philosophy.
What does bottled-in-bond mean for bourbon quality?
Bottled-in-bond is a designation requiring bourbon to be the product of one distillation season from one distillery, aged at least four years in a federally bonded warehouse, and bottled at exactly 100 proof. This standard, established by the Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897, was created to guarantee bourbon quality and authenticity. Our Origin Series Wheated Bottled-in-Bond follows these strict requirements, ensuring exceptional quality and transparency. The higher proof delivers more robust flavors while the four-year minimum aging creates deeper complexity, making bottled-in-bond bourbons excellent for both sipping and cocktails.
What is a bourbon mash bill and how does it affect flavor?
A mash bill is the recipe of grains used to create bourbon, which must contain at least 51% corn by law. The remaining grains, typically rye, wheat, or malted barley, significantly impact flavor profiles. High-rye mash bills create spicier, bolder bourbons with notes of pepper and cinnamon. Wheated mash bills produce softer, sweeter bourbons with bread and honey characteristics. At Bardstown Bourbon Company, we craft over 65 different mash bills, including our 100% estate-distilled expressions and many other experimental recipes for ourselves and custom distilling partners.
What are bourbon barrel finishes and collaborative expressions?
Barrel finishing involves taking fully matured bourbon and aging it for additional months in a secondary barrels (usually that previously held other spirits, wines, or beers, creating unique flavor combinations). Our Collaborative Series partners with legendary producers like Ferrand Cognac, Plantation Rum, Goose Island Beer, and Foursquare Rum to finish our bourbon in their used barrels. This technique, also called secondary maturation or double maturation, adds complementary flavors like fruit notes from wine barrels, tropical characteristics from rum barrels, or chocolate and coffee from stout barrels, creating innovative expressions that push bourbon boundaries.
Where can I buy Bardstown Bourbon Company products online or near me?
Our bourbon is available at select retailers nationwide and through authorized online spirits retailers that ship to your state. Use our Store Locator tool on bardstownbourbon.com to find nearby liquor stores and restaurants carrying our products. You can also purchase bottles directly from our retail shops at our Bardstown distillery location and Louisville Tasting Room, including exclusive distillery-only releases and gift shop merchandise. Note that bottles purchased at our locations cannot be shipped; you must carry them with you. For online purchases, check retailers’ shipping policies as alcohol shipping regulations vary by state.
Do I need reservations to visit the distillery or can I walk in?
Reservations are strongly recommended for all distillery tours and educational experiences, as many book 30 to 60 days in advance, especially during peak seasons. You can book tours and experiences through our website at bardstownbourbon.com. However, our retail shop and tasting bar welcome walk-in visitors during operating hours for flights, pours, and shopping without reservations. Our Bardstown location operates Wednesday through Sunday (closed Monday and Tuesday for tours, though the retail shop and tasting bar remain open). The Louisville Tasting Room operates Monday through Saturday with varying hours throughout the week.
What are the age requirements for visiting and taking distillery tours?
All guests must be 21 years or older to participate in any distillery experiences, including tours and tastings. This age requirement applies to everyone in your party, including infants and children, with absolutely no exceptions. This policy ensures we comply with federal alcohol regulations and maintain a focused, educational environment for adult bourbon enthusiasts. While children cannot attend tours, our outdoor patio at the Bardstown location welcomes supervised guests of all ages. Only certified service animals are permitted inside our facilities and on tours, though pets are welcome on our outdoor patio.
What distillery tour options are available and what do they include?
We offer multiple tour experiences for different interests and expertise levels. The Core Four Tour, our most popular option, includes tastings of our four flagship whiskeys plus a guided journey through our distillery and rickhouse with barrel tastings. Behind the Scenes explores our operational techniques with in-depth access to production areas. The Master Distiller Tour features Steve Nally, Bourbon Hall of Famer, sharing 50 years of expertise on a personal tour. Additional experiences include Shake & Stir cocktail classes, Rickhouse Tastings featuring barrel selections, and vintage whiskey flights in our library showcasing over 400 rare bourbons.
Does the distillery have a restaurant and do I need reservations?
Yes, our Bardstown location features a full-service bar and restaurant offering thoughtfully executed cuisine inspired by Kentucky classics and world flavors. The restaurant sources ingredients locally from farmers mentioned right on the menu, creating what we call the Modern Kentucky Experience. Reservations are strongly encouraged and can be made through OpenTable. The restaurant overlooks our working distillery through floor-to-ceiling glass walls, providing a unique dining atmosphere. Please note that the restaurant is only available at our Bardstown location, not at the Louisville Tasting Room.
Is there parking available at your locations and are they wheelchair accessible?
Both locations offer convenient parking for visitors. The Bardstown distillery has a dedicated parking lot on the left side of the building (facing the entrance), providing ample parking for tour guests and restaurant diners. Enter through the first entrance on the left to access the restaurant. The Louisville Tasting Room is located on historic Whiskey Row in downtown Louisville with street parking and nearby parking garages available. Both our Bardstown distillery and Louisville Tasting Room are fully wheelchair accessible, including accessible parking near entrances, ensuring all bourbon enthusiasts can enjoy our experiences.
What days and hours are you open for tours and visits?
Our Bardstown distillery offers tours and experiences Wednesday through Sunday. Monday and Tuesday, our retail shop and tasting bar remain open for shopping and walk-in tastings, but no tours are offered. Hours are typically 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, though specific tour times vary by experience. The Louisville Tasting Room operates Monday and Tuesday 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Wednesday and Thursday 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM, Friday and Saturday 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM, and is closed Sunday.
What bourbon tasting experiences are offered at the distillery?
We offer diverse tasting experiences tailored to different interests and knowledge levels. Our guided tastings include the Core Four Tour featuring our flagship whiskeys, Rickhouse Tastings with barrel selections straight from the barrel, and Vintage Library Flights showcasing rare bourbons dating back to 1892. Interactive experiences include Shake & Stir cocktail-making classes where you craft two iconic bourbon cocktails, and sensory exploration sessions with food pairings like breakfast cereals, dried fruits, and cocoa nibs. Our Louisville Tasting Room features augmented reality and immersive digital environments for modern, educational bourbon discovery.
Can I book private events or corporate functions at the distillery?
Yes, we offer customizable event spaces perfect for private celebrations, corporate functions, and special occasions. Options include private distillery tours led by Master Distiller Steve Nally, exclusive tastings, our restaurant’s private dining room overlooking the distillery floor, and our spacious outdoor patio with fire pits. We can accommodate intimate gatherings to large corporate events with tailored menus, bourbon pairings, and interactive experiences. Our culinary, beverage, and distillery teams collaborate to create memorable events. Contact our events team at events@bardstownbourbon.com for availability, pricing, and customized proposals for your specific needs.
What is The Reserve membership and what benefits does it include?
The Reserve is our exclusive whiskey club offering unprecedented access to our most coveted product releases. Members receive priority access to limited-edition bottles before public release, invitations to behind-the-scenes events and tastings hosted by Master Blender Dan Callaway and Master Distiller Steve Nally, exclusive members-only releases, and special pricing on select products. Membership provides opportunities to connect with fellow bourbon enthusiasts and gain insider knowledge about upcoming releases and distillery operations. Visit our website to learn about current membership availability and benefits, as this program offers the deepest engagement with Bardstown Bourbon Company.
Does the distillery offer educational bourbon classes or certifications?
While we focus primarily on experiential learning through our tours and tastings rather than formal certification programs, our experiences provide comprehensive bourbon education. Our Behind the Scenes tour and Master Distiller experiences offer in-depth knowledge about production techniques, mash bills, fermentation, distillation, and aging. Our Rickhouse Tastings teach sensory evaluation skills, exploring aroma, flavor, and finish characteristics. The sensory pairing experiences develop your palate recognition abilities. For formal bourbon certification, we recommend the Stave & Thief Society’s certification courses, while our experiences provide practical, hands-on learning directly from industry experts.
Can I fill my own bourbon bottle at the distillery?
While some Kentucky distilleries offer bottle-filling experiences, this service is not currently part of our standard tour offerings at Bardstown Bourbon Company. However, we regularly introduce new experiences and limited offerings throughout the year. We recommend checking our website or contacting our visitor services team directly for current experience offerings and any special limited-time programs. Our retail shops carry exclusive distillery-only releases and merchandise, including limited single barrel selections, that you can purchase to take home. For custom bourbon experiences, inquire about our private event options.
What food and drink options are available without doing a tour?
Our Bardstown location features a full-service restaurant and bar open for lunch and dinner with an extensive menu of Kentucky-inspired cuisine, creative cocktails, craft beers, and a curated wine collection. Reservations are recommended through OpenTable. Our tasting bar offers flights and pours without reservations, plus over 400 vintage American whiskeys in our spirits library. Both our Bardstown and Louisville locations have retail shops where you can browse and purchase bourbon, barware, apparel, and gift items. The Louisville Tasting Room offers a full-service bar with innovative cocktails and tasting flights in an immersive, modern environment.
What is your cancellation policy for tours and experiences?
We recommend reviewing the specific cancellation policy provided at the time of booking, as it may vary by experience type. Generally, changes or cancellations should be made as far in advance as possible to avoid fees. Due to the popularity of our experiences and limited availability, particularly for premium tours and private events, last-minute cancellations may result in forfeiture of payment or cancellation fees. We strongly encourage purchasing tours well in advance and ensuring all participants can attend before booking. For specific questions about your reservation or to modify bookings, contact our guest services team directly.
Can I get a refund if I miss my scheduled tour or tasting?
No-show policies typically result in forfeiture of the full experience cost, as spots are limited and could have been offered to other guests. We understand unexpected situations arise and recommend contacting our guest services team as soon as possible if you cannot attend your scheduled experience. In some cases, we may be able to reschedule your visit for a different date, subject to availability and our cancellation policies. We cannot guarantee refunds or reschedules for no-shows or same-day cancellations. To avoid disappointment, please arrive on time for your scheduled experience.
Can you ship bourbon bottles purchased at the gift shop?
Unfortunately, we cannot ship bottles purchased at our gift shop locations due to alcohol shipping regulations. All bourbon and whiskey purchases must be carried with you. Many states have restrictions on alcohol shipments, and shipping logistics make it challenging to offer this service directly from our retail locations. However, our products are available through authorized online retailers that can ship to your state where permitted. Check our Store Locator on bardstownbourbon.com to find online retailers, or visit retailers in your home state that may carry our expressions.
What is your return policy for merchandise purchased at the gift shop?
Alcohol products, including bourbon, whiskey, and spirits, cannot be returned once purchased due to federal and state regulations governing alcohol sales. Merchandise items such as apparel, barware, and gift items may be eligible for return or exchange within a reasonable timeframe with original receipt and in new condition with tags attached. We recommend carefully reviewing your purchase before leaving our retail location. For specific questions about returns or exchanges on non-alcohol merchandise, please speak with our retail staff or contact guest services with your receipt information.
Are event deposits refundable if I need to cancel my private booking?
Private event and group booking deposits are typically non-refundable once confirmed, as we reserve exclusive space, staff, and resources for your event. However, we understand circumstances can change and will work with you to find solutions when possible. Rescheduling may be available depending on availability and how far in advance you notify us, though rescheduling fees may apply. We recommend discussing our specific event cancellation and refund policies in detail with our events team at events@bardstownbourbon.com when initially booking your private event to understand all terms before confirming.