Alright, fellow travelers, let me tell you about our recent long weekend adventure! My husband and I, along with our closest friends, embarked on a trip down the legendary Bourbon Trail. (It’s only taken us how many years of living in Nashville to do this?! Seriously. It’s embarrassing that this was our FIRST time.) We had a great time, of course, visiting four distilleries, a couple breweries, the oldest bourbon bar in America, and spending lots of quality time with friends.
Now, while my husband and our friends are big whiskey/bourbon fans, I am not. I don’t drink much alcohol, and when I do… it’s not whiskey. But you know me! I thrive on learning new things, trying new experiences, and exploring new places! Surprisingly, despite all my travels, I had never really spent much time in Louisville so I was excited to get to know it a little bit. Plus spending time with our besties is always fun.
I am proud to report that I managed to secure a home exchange at one of the coolest houses we’ve ever had the pleasure of staying in. (See more below!) The beauty of home exchange is not just the free accommodation, but the authentic, local experience it offers. That meant even if the bourbon tastings somehow fell flat for me (spoiler alert: they didn’t!), I knew I’d have a FABULOUS time hanging out at our amazing temporary home.
To make sure everyone’s interests were covered, we meticulously planned our days using my tried-and-true ABC method The result was an itinerary that, if I do say so myself, is really well-paced and gives you a comprehensive look at the entire spectrum of whiskey making. Plus, it’s easy to follow, especially for anyone driving up from Nashville.
Please take what works for you and leave what doesn’t, and report back about your own Bourbon Trail adventures! We want to go back next year and are already starting to think about our itinerary. Send me your recommendations!
| DAY 01 | TRAVEL & SETTLE IN | |
| 1:00 CST / 2:00 EST | Leave to drive to Shelbyville, KY |
| 5:00 EST | Arrive! Go to dinner and pick up groceries! Relax at the house! |
| DAY 02 | LOUISVILLE | |
| 10:15 | Depart for Louisville |
| 11:00 | Tour at Slugger Museum |
| Tasting at Bourbon and Billets | |
| Lunch at Mussel & Burger | |
| 2:15 (2:30 tour) | Tour at Peerless Distillery |
| Drinks at Against the Grain Brewery | |
| Dinner at La Bodeguita de Mima | |
| Hang out at the house | |
| DAY 03 | WOODFORD | |
| 10:00 | Depart the house |
| 11:10 (11:30 tour) | Tour and tasting at Woodford Reserve |
| Drinks and lunch at Castle and Key Distillery | |
| Takeout dinner and hang out at the house | |
| DAY 04 | BARDSTOWN + DRIVE HOME | |
| 10:30 | Depart, drive south to Bardstown |
| 12:00 | Tour, tasting, and drinks at Bardstown Distillery |
| Lunch at Talbot’s Tavern | |
| Drinks at Scout and Scholar Brewing | |
| Drive home to Nashville | |
DAY 01 | TRAVEL & SETTLE IN
The drive from our house in Nashville to our home exchange in Shelbyville took less than 3 hours. Of course we stopped at Bucee’s on our way up the interstate (is it even a road trip in the south if you don’t stop at a Bucee’s?), and after we settled in at the house, we headed out to dinner at the Blind Squirrel, and to pick up some groceries at Publix. We had a very low key evening at the house, catching up and playing some games.
Why did we stay in Shelbyville? Because of home exchange!
Home exchange FTW!!! My goal was to find a home exchange somewhere within an hour’s driving radius of all the places the boys wanted to go. If I couldn’t find one, then we’d use hotel points to stay at a Marriott or IHG property in Louisville. But I unexpectedly found a “Yes!” very quickly and that place was in Shelbyville, about thirty minutes east of Lousiville.
We’ve been members of Home exchange since 2016 and have done 19 exchanges. Most of them have been reciprocal, meaning that we stay in their house while they stay in our house or they stay in our house at a later date, but we’ve also done a hospitality exchange, and many non reciprocal guest point exchanges.
For this trip, we did a three night Guest Point exchange with our new friend in Louisville, who we had the pleasure of meeting and hanging out with for a little while at his incredible house. He was so welcoming and shared not just his physical space and bourbon and food, but also his knowledge of the area and whiskey expertise.
We don’t always get to meet our exchange hosts or guests, so when we do it is a real treat! Home exchange is based on mutual trust and respect, and is not a transactional relationship like airbnb. You should get to know your host and guests, so at the very least feel comfortable staying in their home and having them stay in yours. It’s extra special when you vibe, and know that you want to stay in touch. Now we have a friend in Kentucky and he has a friend in Nashville. And we will definitely be doing another exchange in the future!!
If you are interested in learning more about home exchange, don’t hesitate to reach out! If you use my referral link, you can earn 250 guest points when you sign up. I’m happy to answer any questions that you might have about the practice. It is one of our favorite ways to travel and has led to so many treasured memories, such as this trip to Kentucky.
DAY 02 | LOUISVILLE
The drive from Shelbyville to Louisville was around thirty-minutes, give or take depending on traffic. We decided to make the first full day our busiest and most effortful day, with two timed and ticketed activities (which goes against our usual tendencies).
Slugger Museum
The museum is easy to spot; just look for the world’s largest baseball bat, a 120-foot-tall replica of Babe Ruth’s bat that leans against the building. I am not a sports person but I found the factory tour at Slugger Museum to be fascinating!!!! An incredible history, sustainable foresting practices, a deep commitment to craft and quality, and so much pride in their product.
During this tour you get to walk through a fully functional and active factory. You’re feet away from the people making the best bats in the world. (I wonder if the workers are annoyed by the constant tourists or if they like showing off their handiwork?) It’s a loud, fascinating process. You’ll learn how they select the wood, shape it on the lathes, and apply the signature burn-brand.
The tour is well paced, the museum is small and full of history and offers some cool interactive experiences such as holding bats thst belonged to famous players and getting to practice your swing in the batting cages. It was the thing I was least excited about yet turned out to be an awesome way to kick off this trip. I’m really glad we did this!
Barrels and Billets
On a recommendation from a work friend, we snuck in a quick tasting at Barrels & Billets on our way to lunch, after we toured the Slugger Museum since it was right next door. Get ready to channel your inner master distiller! This unique spot is all about the art of bourbon blending. This isn’t a traditional tour of a distillery; it’s a hands-on experience that gives you the chance to become the creator.
We didn’t do the full experience – which lets you do your own mixing and matching hands-on in their kitchen lab– but it was still really neat. You fill out an online form asking about your taste preferences and flavor notes. It then creates a personalized recommended recipe for you to try (and even take home a bottle of)!
It’s a fun and educational way to dive into the world of bourbon and a great memory to take with you. A fun little detour on our day downtown! You can find more information and book your blending experience on their website, barrelsandbillets.com.
Mussel & Burger
We really enjoyed our lunch at Mussel & Burger. As the name of this downtown Louisville restaurant suggests, they specialize in, you guessed it, mussels and burgers. They are known for their fresh and high-quality ingredients, offering a wide variety of creative takes on these classic dishes. The service was fantastic the afternoon we were there. It’s a great place to grab a bite and recharge.
Peerless Distillery
Kentucky Peerless Distilling Co. is a family-owned distillery in Louisville with a rich history that They focus on crafting high-quality rye whiskey and bourbon from grain to bottle, all under one roof. The tours are popular because they offer a detailed look at their traditional distilling process. You can learn more about their story and book a tour on their website, kentuckypeerless.com.
The first of three Distillery Tours we did on our Bourbon Trail getaway, Peerless was a neat experience. More of a boutique or craft distillery, this family-owned distillery produces far fewer barrels of bourbon than the bigger shops so their product is a bit pricier.
Peerless is known for its “grain-to-bottle” approach, meaning all stages of production—milling, cooking, fermenting, double-distilling, barreling, and bottling—occur under one roof at their Louisville facility. They focus on crafting high-quality rye whiskey and bourbon from grain to bottle, all under one roof. The tours are popular because they offer a detailed look at their traditional distilling process. You can learn more about their story and book a tour on their website, kentuckypeerless.com.
Peerless distillery dates back to the 1880s. During the Prohibition era, Peerless was one of the select distilleries granted permission to produce whiskey for medicinal purposes. Despite this unique status, the distillery eventually ceased production before Prohibition officially ended, and its legacy lay dormant for nearly a century. It was revived in the 21st century, by the descendants of the original founder, Henry Kraver, making it a true legacy project. He secured the original Distilled Spirits Plant (DSP) number 50, further connecting the new operation to its historical roots.
The tour was really interesting, including lots of history (both of the whiskey industry at large and this particular family-owned distillery) and fun facts. At the end, we got to sample four of their whiskeys and ask our guide any remaining questions. Definitely an informative and fun way to spend an hour!
Against the Grain Brewery
Against the Grain Brewery is a popular spot in Louisville known for its craft beers and lively atmosphere. Located at Slugger Field, it’s a great place to relax and enjoy a wide variety of beers, from classic styles to more experimental brews. They also have a full food menu, so you can pair your beer with some tasty food. It’s a fun and casual place to take a rest during your day!
La Bodeguita de Mima
On a recommendation from a friend, we decided to have dinner at La Bodeguita de Mima, a wonderful, authentic Cuban restaurant in Louisville that brings a taste of Havana to Kentucky. The restaurant is known for its authentic Cuban food, vibrant atmosphere including fabulous live music and cozy decor, and excellent cocktails. From the moment we stepped through the doors, I felt transported to another time and place.
It’s a great place to enjoy delicious food in a fun and welcoming environment. What a great building with ambiance and so much energy! The smells, the flavors, the customer service! Highly recommend this as a dinner spot. Definitely get the mojitos (not too sweet, minty and fresh!) and the chocolate cigar dessert. Wow.
DAY 03 | WOODFORD + CASTLE & KEY
The drive from the house to Woodford was around 45 minutes and we always build in buffer time. The drive from Woodford to Castle and Key takes around 20 minutes. Then about thirty minutes back to where we were staying.
Woodford Reserve
Woodford Reserve is a historic distillery located in Versailles, Kentucky, in the heart of horse country. It’s on a beautiful site that has been a bourbon-making location since 1812, and it’s a National Historic Landmark. Woodford Reserve is known for its classic, balanced bourbon and the unique copper pot stills they use in their distilling process. A visit here is a blend of history, science, and a beautiful Kentucky setting.
Woodford Reserve had a FABULOUS tour. It was certainly the most streamlined and “Disneyfied” of the three we visited. The whole experience, from the time we arrived, was efficient and customer-focused. The tour was timely and well-paced. Every staff member was smiling and friendly, the grounds were beautiful; we loved getting to walk through so much history. Our tour guide, Kathy, was not only obviously informed and passionate about whiskey but she was affable and funny, able to wrangle our group, educating and entertaining us the whole time. It was clear she used to be a school teacher!
Unlike most distilleries, Woodford still uses wooden fermenters! And apparently, it is one of the few major bourbon distillers to utilize traditional copper pot stills for a portion of their production (most primarily use column stills).
Castle and Key Distillery
Castle & Key is a beautiful and unique distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky – and I think my favorite of the trip! It’s a truly stunning location, set on the grounds of the Old Taylor Distillery, which was abandoned for decades before being completely restored. The distillery is famous for its beautiful grounds, including a “sunken garden” and a “castle” that houses the distilling equipment. They produce bourbon, rye, and gin, and a visit here feels like a journey through history.
It used to be the original distillery of another brand of whiskey and now gives me distinct vineyard vibes: food trucks, families playing yard games, groups of friends sitting by the river enjoying an afternoon cocktail. We did not take a tour, instead just reveling in the beautiful grounds and property. We enjoyed beautiful weather, tacos and nachos, drinks, and good company.
Highly recommend checking out this spot if you do your own Bourbon Trail run. You can find more about their story and what they offer on their website, castleandkey.com.
DAY 04 | BARDSTOWN + DRIVE HOME
We packed up and tidied up around the house before loading up and telling our host good bye. We absolutely needed to hit the road by 10:30 am since we had a ticketed tour at 12 noon and this was the one my husband was most excited about. We made it with plenty of time to spare! After the tour, we drove a short distance to the town of Bardstown to have lunch, before hitting the road back to Nashville for an evening arrival (But hey we gain an hour on the way home, thank you Central Time Zone!)
Bardstown Bourbon Company
Our final distillery tour of the trip was at Bardstown Bourbon Company, a modern and innovative distillery located in Bardstown, Kentucky, which is known as the “Bourbon Capital of the World.”
And let me say WOW. This place is high-tech, refined, and feels like you’re at a Napa Valley resort. When you walk up to the modern building, you’re welcomed with beautiful gardens of native wild flowers and soft club beats that reminded me of hanging out by a resort pool.
They are known for their unique collaborative distilling program, where they produce custom whiskey for other brands. Their campus is state-of-the-art and includes a full-service restaurant and bar, making it a great place to spend some time. This distillery leverages all of the technology to run efficiently and to craft the richest flavors. Their whole operation can be run by 3 people and their computer systems. Even the tour was high-tech: we each had our own headset to wear as we toured the facility so we could hear our tour guide. A visit here offers a glimpse into the future of bourbon making.
This was also one of the most informative tours in terms of the biochemistry and physiology of how our senses worked. Our pink-haired tour guide, Michelle, shared her years of culinary experience with us by teaching us how to properly smell something before tasting and gave us tips for a more effective tasting sample.
After our tour, we hung out and sampled four cocktails from their innovative bar menu. Some very interesting and unique flavor combinations. As a non-whiskey fan, I did not expect to like their take on a French 75 but wow, it was sooo smooth and drinkable. I think the group’s favorite drink was the spicy bourbon margarita, though!
Highly recommend visiting this distillery in addition to some of the more traditional ones to get the full spectrum of whiskey making. You can find details about their tours, tastings, and restaurant on their website, bardstownbourbon.com.
Talbot’s Tavern
I thought this place was really neat. Talbott Tavern is one of the oldest taverns in the United States, located in Bardstown, Kentucky. It’s a historic landmark that has hosted many famous figures over the centuries, including Abraham Lincoln and Jesse James. Today, it operates as a restaurant, inn, and tavern, serving classic American fare. Eating here is like stepping back in time (though probably not the best food the town has to offer), and it’s a great way to experience some of Bardstown’s rich history.
Scout and Scholar Brewing
Scout & Scholar Brewing Co. is a craft brewery located in Bardstown, Kentucky. We had originally planned to have lunch here, but pivoted to Talbot’s on a recommendation from someone, so we decided we still had to have a couple drinks at the brewery! It’s a casual and friendly spot where you can enjoy a variety of local brews and some interesting cocktails and mocktails. They have a relaxed atmosphere – the power went out for a little while during our visit haha! – and a great selection of beers. It’s a nice change of pace from the bourbon trail and a great way to experience the local craft beer scene. It was a nice way to end our Kentucky adventure!
Final Thoughts
We had such a great time exploring the Bourbon Trail in Kentucky. What a beautiful and fun part of the country! We will definitely be back. There’s still so much to see. We really want to return – hopefully through home exchange again! – and visit more distilleries and see more of the beautiful area, which is so lovely to drive around. If you ever visit the region, let us know your favorite spots to check out!
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