It’s no secret that Kentucky is the beating heart of bourbon country—and while there are plenty of places to sip and savor, a few distilleries invite you to roll up your sleeves, dive into the craft, and bottle your own bourbon.
Whether you’re a die-hard bourbon aficionado or just someone who appreciates a great story in every pour, these five Kentucky distilleries will give you a front-row seat to the art of whiskey-making—and a chance to leave with a bottle that’s all yours.
Casey Jones Distillery – Hopkinsville, KY
There are bourbon experiences, and then there’s the Mash Maker experience at Casey Jones Distillery—a hands-on deep dive that puts you right in the thick of the whiskey-making action. Your journey kicks off with a crash course in grains like corn, rye, wheat, and malted barley. You’ll learn how they each impact flavor, texture, and personality in the final bourbon.
Next up, it’s your turn to play distiller. You’ll choose up to three grains for your custom mash bill, then get hands-on experience with the milling process. (Yes, you’re actually going to mill your own grain with the guidance of their friendly experts!) After you pour your mash into the barrel, your job is done—but the real magic is just beginning. Over the next month, you’ll get updates as your custom creation goes through cooking, fermenting, distillation, barreling, and bottling.
Before you head out, be sure to stay for a tasting. You’ll sample ten different pours, including smooth bourbons, bold Barrel Cuts, and good old-fashioned moonshine. Upgrade to the Casey Jones Experience to bundle the full tour and tasting with your Mash Maker session.
When the weather’s nice, grab a drink and head out back to their scenic lake patio. If you’re lucky enough to visit on a food truck night, snag some local eats and settle in for live music with a lakeside view.
Heaven Hill Distillery– Bardstown, KY
Heaven Hill isn’t just a distillery—it’s a bourbon museum, tasting room, bar, restaurant, and living legacy all rolled into one. Tucked into the rolling hills of Bardstown, the Bourbon Capital of the World, this sprawling distillery complex offers one of the most immersive and well-rounded bourbon experiences in Kentucky.
Wander through the on-site galleries to get the full backstory. You’ll meet the five Shapira brothers who started it all in 1935, take in the sizzle of a charred barrel in the Elijah Craig Gallery, and peek inside the Larceny Gallery to learn about Treasury Agent John E. Fitzgerald and his not-so-subtle habit of “borrowing” bourbon.
When you’re ready to get hands-on, book the You Do Bourbon experience. You’ll sample from Heaven Hill’s top-shelf lineup, choose your favorite, and then bottle it yourself, complete with a custom label—instant heirloom.
Feeling peckish? Cap off your visit with lunch at Five Brothers Bar & Kitchen, where American deli fare meets bourbon-forward cocktails. Sip in style indoors or take it outside for a view of the iconic rickhouses. Before you go, swing by the gift shop—loaded with exclusive spirits, bourbon-inspired foods, and merch you won’t find anywhere else.
Barrels & Billets – Louisville, KY
Right next door to the famous Louisville Slugger Museum is Barrels & Billets, one of the best spots in town to custom-blend and bottle your very own bourbon. In just 45 minutes, their Custom Bourbon Experience takes you from curious to creator.
You’ll kick things off with a quick lesson in blending, then taste your way through six uniquely finished bourbons—think 200-Year Oak, Cherry Wood, Smoked Oak, and more. With the help of their spirited instructors (pun intended), you’ll mix, tweak, and eventually settle on your perfect blend. Once you’ve found your favorite combo, it’s time to bottle it up, slap your name on the label, and call it yours.
Don’t forget to check out the house bottles in the gift shop, or upgrade to the Bourbon and Bats Ticket Bundle. This gets you into both Barrels & Billets and the Slugger Museum, where you’ll watch bats being made, visit the Bat Vault, and maybe even swing one yourself. Bourbon and baseball—does it get more American than that?
New Riff Distilling – Newport, KY
If your bourbon taste runs to the experimental side, New Riff Distilling is calling your name. This Newport gem combines new-school energy with old-school technique, and their Bourbon Blend Experience will teach you everything you need to know about the art of blending.
Held monthly, this workshop walks you through barrel selection, blending methods, and the sensory techniques used by their own distilling team. You’ll swirl, sniff, sip, and tweak your way to a custom blend made from three different barrels. The best part? You leave with a bottle of your very own concoction.
Want more? The BONDED Tour gives you a deeper dive into New Riff’s distillation process, from grain selection to barrel aging. It ends with a gift shop voucher; pick up distillery merch, glassware, and even another bottle or two. Prefer to sit and sip? Opt for the guided tasting experience featuring their Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon and Rye, capped with a couple of specialty Whiskey Riffs.
Cocktail curious? Sign up for their rye cocktail class. You’ll mix, shake, and stir your way through four cocktail recipes while noshing on small bites. Great bourbon, killer cocktails, and a bit of science along the way—New Riff has it all.
Angel’s Envy Distillery – Louisville, KY
Sleek, stylish, and unapologetically modern, Angel’s Envy Distillery delivers high-end bourbon experiences with serious flavor. Located in the heart of Louisville’s Bourbon District, the distillery itself is a showstopper, with gleaming copper stills and polished concrete floors that set the stage for one unforgettable tour.
The Bottle Your Own experience starts with a guided tasting of Angel’s Envy Kentucky Straight Bourbon Finished in Port Barrels and their exclusive Single Barrel offering. You’ll learn about their finishing process and how the port barrels impart distinctive notes of fruit, vanilla, and toasted oak. Then, you’ll fill, cork, and label your own bottle to take home.
Angel’s Envy also hosts a variety of cocktail classes. Learn how to make a Peach Mint Julep in style and take home the tools to do it again (an ice mallet and Lewis bag included). Up the ante with their Behind-the-Bar classes, where expert mixologists teach you to craft high-end cocktails like a pro.
Want the full distillery experience? Book the Signature Tour. It winds through their production facility and ends with a guided tasting of three premium whiskeys paired with signature chocolates. The combo of chocolate and bourbon? Pure heaven.
