Print Friendly Version 
A little longer than Loop One, you’ll enjoy the “angels share” at these four bourbon distilleries located about 70 miles from Lexington. Each with its own distinct personality and taste, Maker’s Mark, Heaven Hill, Jim Beam and Tom Moore round out the distilleries on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail.
Take the Bluegrass Parkway west to the first Bardstown exit and follow the signs to Maker’s Mark. It will take approximately 20 minutes after you exit the parkway. That world-wide famous bottle with the neck dipped in red wax?? It’s the distinct trademark of Maker’s Mark. Located in the tiny town of Loretto, dip and take home a one-of-a-kind souvenir. The Toll Gate Café at the distillery entrance is the perfect stop to relax after the tour.
Head back to Bardstown where the Heaven Hill Bourbon Heritage Center and the Heaven Hill Distillery is on your left just before you reach town. With a fantastic tasting experience (yes, you are inside a replica of a huge bourbon barrel), a tour of a warehouse and so much history, you will become a bourbon expert. (Closed Mondays)
Historic Tom Moore Distillery is renowned for their 1792 Bourbon. Their free tours Monday through Friday provide the only total distillery tour in Bardstown. Once back on U.S. 150/62 head into Bardstown and take the roundabout and turn on the second exit onto West Stephen Foster Ave/U.S. 62. Turn left on Barton Road and the distillery is on your right. Reservations are required.
Our final distillery is located northwest of Bardstown, so before you leave, stop by the Old Talbott Tavern which is thought to be the oldest western stagecoach stop left in America. Since the late 1700s, it has provided food and shelter to early frontiersman and now modern-day travelers. Backtrack and turn right onto West Stephen Foster Ave/U.S. 62, the Tavern is on your right just before you enter the roundabout.
The next distillery on this loop is Jim Beam. At their American Outpost, view a film about the Beam family history (and you never know—you just might see seventh generation Beam family distiller, Fred Noe), explore the home where three generations of Beams lived, and enjoy a free tasting (if you’re over 21). From downtown Bardstown take North 3rd Street/U.S. 150/U.S. 31E. to KY-245, turn left on KY-245 and drive about 14 miles. Turn right onto Sleepy Hollow Road.
The easiest way to return to Lexington is to take KY-245 back to the scenic Bluegrass Parkway and then northeast back to Lexington. Follow the signs.
Print Friendly Version