Last year saw a significant surge in bourbon tourism in Kentucky, with record-breaking attendance at distilleries along the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. According to the Kentucky Distillers’ Association, visitors flocked to these attractions, exceeding 2.1 million in attendance, easily surpassing the pre-pandemic record of 1.7 million in 2019. This marks a 370% increase in attendance over the past decade, with the “amber adventure” continuing to be a major draw for tourists.
The Kentucky Bourbon Trail, launched in 1999, is a collection of 18 historic distilleries that offer visitors a Look into the state’s bourbon-making heritage. The trail’s attendance reached nearly 1.4 million last year, while the Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour, which showcases smaller distilleries, saw 738,287 visitors, its best year yet. With 24 distilleries now participating, this tour continues to grow in popularity.
To accommodate the influx of visitors, spirit companies have invested significantly in new or expanded visitor centers, allowing guests to immerse themselves in the sights and smells of bourbon-making. During the pandemic, distilleries were closed to visitors, but now, most require reservations, making advance booking crucial.
Bourbon Tourism in Kentucky
Kentucky has seen a significant growth in bourbon production, with over 11.4 million barrels ageing in warehouses across the state, the most in its history. Distillers filled more than 2.6 million barrels last year, marking the fourth consecutive year production topped the 2 million mark.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear praised the bourbon industry’s continued success, stating, “The success of Kentucky’s bourbon industry isn’t slowing down any time soon.” The Kentucky Distillers’ Association president, Eric Gregory, added, “This is a home run demographic for local communities, generating valuable revenue and tax dollars while boosting a hospitality industry that’s still recovering from the Covid pandemic.”
