Planning October 2025 Bourbon Trail Trip from Texas

[rzelinka]

I'm planning a Bourbon Trail trip in October as part of a coupled extended weekend. I'd welcome thoughts not the best places to tour. I've heard that Bardstown is really good. At the same time Four Roses is too. 

 

I've also heard that Woodford Reserve is great but always very crowded. 

 

I'd appreciate any tips from those who have taken the journey.

[smokinjoe]

While each distillery and their own tours have their own charms and attractiveness, IMO, Maker’s Mark is the best experience out there.  Drop dead gorgeous grounds and facilities, very informative, excellent tour end tasting, and a gift shop with more swag than you could possibly imagine.  Plus, you can dip your own bottle if you wish.  The Chihuly glass ceiling towards the end is mesmerizing.  
You mentioned your wife earlier?  If she is accompanying you, and does not necessarily share your passion for Bourbonia and all things in it, she most likely would enjoy the Maker’s tour.  
 

Regardless of which one(s) you choose, most distillery tours now require reservations, and I understand they fill up fast.  The Kentucky Bourbon Festival is in Bardstown in September.  It gets crowded, but lots of events during the week.  This may, or may not, interest you!

Edited April 6 by smokinjoe

[Richnimrod]

I'll echo smokinjoe's sentiments 100%!   Maker's is Top-of-the-Top for the many reasons noted.

Charting the course among/between distilleries should also be considered if doing several in a single day.   Time on the road, as well as time at the gift shop and on the tour can add up quickly.   

The area around Woodford is very scenic, if you like typical Bluegrass Horse country.   ...But, the roads are small & pokey, and occasionally made even worse by local trucks doing deliveries. 

Last comment: the days of finding 'uncrowded' or even moderately crowded gift shops are OVER.   They're all always busy.

[rzelinka]

Are things starting to return to normal after the floods or is it too soon to say?

[fishnbowljoe]

1 hour ago, rzelinka said:

Are things starting to return to normal after the floods or is it too soon to say?

If you are referring to Buffalo Trace, yes, things there are pretty much back to normal according to their website. FWIW, I contacted them yesterday to see if they were affected by the latest rounds of storms and tornadoes. The answer:  “Thank you.  All OK.”  As far as other distilleries go, I really don’t know, but it goes to reason things are probably okay.

 

For distillery/tour recommendations, it’s kinda like, “The only bad bourbon is the one you didn’t have.” Some are better than others, but all are good in one way or another. My two favorite distilleries are at the opposite ends of the spectrum. Maker’s Mark and Buffalo Trace. I like both for their bourbons and their distilleries. As mentioned by @Richnimrod and @smokinjoe, Maker’s Mark is great. It’s a bit out in the country, and it’s absolutely beautiful. Also and FWIW, it was my gateway bourbon. As for Buffalo Trace, while it does have some nice grounds, its a big industrial type complex. It’s also amazing in it’s own way. One word of advice. As somewhat mentioned by @Richnimrod, whatever your plans are, give yourself plenty of time. It’s very easy to get distracted at the distilleries and their gift shops. “Ooooh, bright shiny object.”