Michter's Fort Nelson Distillery

America’s first whiskey distilling company, Michter’s rich history dates back to 1753 when a farmer in Pennsylvania’s Blue Mountain Valley distilled his first batch of whiskey from hardy rye. At one point a Master Distiller left his family’s well-known distillery to join Michter’s so he could be at a smaller, less cost-conscious company where he could make the finest whiskey, cost be damned.We continue this grand distilling tradition in Kentucky by never releasing our whiskeys until both our Master Distiller Pamela Heilmann and our panel of whiskey tasters deem them ready. In fact, our whiskey is often much older than the age statement on the label. At Michter’s we produce single barrel ryes, very small batch unblended American whiskey, very small batch bourbon, and single barrel bourbon.

Discovery Tour

 

Duration: 1 hourAbout

Discover Michter’s Fort Nelson Distillery in downtown Louisville. Located in the historic Fort Nelson building on Main Street, this distillery is home to a legendary historic distillation system. Here you will learn about all of the extra steps Michter’s takes throughout the whiskey production process to pursue our goal of producing the greatest American whiskey, from barreling at a lower entry proof, to toasting our barrels before charring and heat cycling our warehouses. Your tour will conclude with a guided tasting of five Michter’s expressions.

Legacy Tour

 

Duration: 2 hoursAbout

Offered once per month, the Legacy Tour is an exclusive in-depth educational distillery experience led by one of the senior members of Michter’s team. There will be an opportunity for you to delve into the process of distilling on the legendary Michter’s Pennsylvania pot still system. You will have the chance to nose samples of the heads cuts, hearts cuts and tails cuts from the stills and learn what characteristics our distillers look for in our distillate. Each guest will participate in the filling of a barrel and will learn more about Michter’s approach to filtration. You will conclude your tour by tasting a very special selection of Michter’s whiskeys, including some of our rarest expressions. You will also receive a special gift to commemorate your visit.

Founders Tour

Tour Start Times

Sunday: 1pm, 2pm, 3pm, 4pm
Monday: closed
Tuesday: closed
Wednesday: 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm, 4pm
Thursday: 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm, 4pm
Friday: 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm, 4pm
Saturday: 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm, 4pm

Duration: 1 hour and 30 minutesAbout

Offered once per week, the Founders Tour includes the same introduction to the Michter’s production process as the Discovery tour, but also gives you the opportunity to delve into the process of distilling on the legendary Michter’s Pennsylvania pot still system. You will have the chance to nose samples of the heads cuts, hearts cuts and tails cuts from the stills and learn what characteristics our distillers look for in our distillate. After your tour, you will join us for a tasting of 7 Michter’s whiskeys, including our legacy brands, Bomberger’s and Shenk’s, before receiving a gift to commemorate your visit to Michter’s Fort Nelson Distillery.