Don’t Drink Bourbon? A Kentucky Bourbon Trail® Getaway Is Still Worth the Trip

For every type of traveler, there’s more to enjoy beyond tastings.

Should you visit Kentucky Bourbon Trail® distilleries if you don’t drink Bourbon?

Absolutely. You don’t have to drink Bourbon to enjoy a Bourbon Trail® visit.
From handcrafted mocktails and culinary experiences to strolls across scenic grounds, live entertainment, and behind-the-scenes tours, there’s more for non-Bourbon drinkers (or those who abstain from drinking entirely) to do during their visit than ever before. And for those who prefer other spirits, distilleries offer a variety, including vodka, gin, rum, canned cocktails, and even wine, giving visitors even more ways to explore Kentucky’s distilling scene.

Whether you’re traveling with a group of Bourbon lovers, looking for family-friendly experiences, or simply don’t drink Bourbon, a Kentucky Bourbon Trail® trip has something for everyone.

Do Bourbon Trail® distilleries offer mocktails and non-alcoholic options?

Yes. Many Kentucky Bourbon Trail® distilleries now offer creative zero-proof beverages and alcohol-free options that make the tasting room experience enjoyable for those who don’t drink Bourbon.

Buzzard’s Roost Distillery offers several mocktails on its bar menu. At Angel’s Envy Distillery, guests can enjoy innovative non-alcoholic cocktails while still experiencing the brand’s history and craftsmanship.

Limestone Branch Distillery serves complimentary mocktails during tastings, while RD1 Spirits offers both mocktails and educational experiences designed to help newcomers feel more comfortable exploring Bourbon.

Several distilleries have expanded their beverage programs to include spirit-free cocktails and alternative spirits. Old Forester Distilling Co. offers spirit-free libations during tastings, Woodford Reserve Distillery serves snacks and zero-ABV cocktails, and Green River Distilling Co. provides mocktails alongside family-friendly amenities like coloring sheets for kids.

Castle & Key Distillery is developing a dedicated mocktail menu, while Whiskey Thief Distilling Co. features full cocktail and mocktail bars at both locations. Bluegrass Distillers at Elkwood Farm offers custom mocktails and a rotating cocktail menu, and Michter’s Distillery crafts creative non-alcoholic cocktails at The Bar at Fort Nelson.

Bardstown Bourbon Co.’s Louisville Tasting Room offers customizable mocktails by request, creating approachable experiences for visitors with a variety of beverage preferences.

Do Bourbon Trail® tours focus on anything other than the distilling process?

Absolutely! One of the best parts of a Kentucky Bourbon Trail® visit is discovering the craftsmanship, history, and culture behind every distillery.

Many experiences focus just as much on storytelling and production as they do on tasting, making them ideal for travelers who enjoy history, architecture, or immersive experiences.

At Angel’s Envy Distillery, tours highlight the distillery’s history, distillation process, and brand story. Larrakin Bourbon Co. encourages guests to learn about the story behind the Bourbon and to explore their distillery spaces. Becker & Bird Distillery offers history-focused tours, while Kentucky Peerless Distilling Co. invites guests to enjoy production-centered experiences that focus on storytelling and craftsmanship. Boundary Oak Distillery features a short film covering the history of distilling, and Bluegrass Distillers at Elkwood Farm begins tours with a deep dive into the historic Elkwood Mansion and property.

Heaven Hill Bourbon Experience offers educational experiences like rickhouse tours and behind-the-scenes distillery visits, while Old Forester Distilling Co. showcases live cooperage demonstrations and urban Bourbon history. Woodford Reserve Distillery combines educational tours with scenic views of Kentucky horse country, and Pensive Distilling Co. offers entertaining tours.

Are there opportunities to dine at Kentucky Bourbon Trail® distilleries?

For sure. Kentucky Bourbon Trail® distilleries are increasingly becoming culinary destinations, offering everything from elevated Southern cuisine and brunch to chocolate pairings and locally inspired menus.

Pensive Distilling Co. offers a full dining menu, and Willett Distillery is known for its highly regarded dining experience. Woodford Reserve Distillery offers a local assortment of cheeses and snacks at their cocktail lounge.

Maker’s Mark Distillery continues to stand out with culinary experiences and cocktail classes designed for all kinds of guests, while Bluegrass Distillers at Elkwood Farm is preparing to open the Idlewild Café with locally inspired food and picnic-style offerings.

Heaven Hill Bourbon Experience is developing new food pairing experiences that focus on flavor and hospitality beyond tastings alone.
For those who love chocolate, there are several opportunities to satisfy their sweet tooth. Buzzard’s Roost Distillery encourages non-drinkers to participate in its Bourbon & Chocolate class, and at Evan Williams Bourbon Experience, the Choc-ology chocolate pairing experience is especially popular.

What kinds of entertainment can you enjoy during a Bourbon Trail® visit?

Yes. Many distilleries host live music, seasonal events, cocktail classes, and interactive experiences.

Town Branch Distillery hosts a music series that appeals to guests interested in live entertainment, while New Riff Distilling regularly features pop-up events with local vendors, live music, and guest speakers. Barrel House Distilling Co. offers cocktail and mocktail classes that allow guests to participate in hands-on experiences regardless of drinking preferences.

At General George Stillhouse, visitors can enjoy tours, mocktails, and sensory experiences tailored to non-drinkers. Whiskey Thief Distilling Co.’s Nulu Tasting Room also features games, music, and social gathering spaces designed to keep groups entertained.

Do Kentucky Bourbon Trail® distilleries offer scenic views and outdoor spaces to enjoy?

Totally. Sometimes the best part of a distillery visit is simply slowing down and enjoying the setting. Many Kentucky Bourbon Trail® distilleries offer memorable spaces where guests can relax, explore, and spend time together beyond the tasting experience.

Willett Distillery, set alongside Rowan Creek, offers picturesque views, while Larrakin Bourbon Co. is known for its welcoming and pet-friendly atmosphere. Castle & Key Distillery offers botanical gardens, walking paths, and expansive grounds that encourage guests to linger. Maker’s Mark Distillery combines immersive farm experiences with iconic Chihuly glass artwork displayed throughout the property, creating a destination that appeals to visitors interested in creativity and design as much as Bourbon.

Whiskey Thief Distilling Co. pairs beautiful scenery with a laid-back atmosphere (complete with resident beloved goats, Whiskey and Tango), while Four Roses Distillery offers designated-driver experiences alongside its iconic Spanish Mission-style architecture. Purple Toad Winery & Distillery takes guests through its vineyard, offers a close-up view of its production facility, and shares the winery’s history.

Are there other spirits you can try at Bourbon Trail® distilleries?

Surely! While Bourbon may be the Kentucky Bourbon Trail® star, many distilleries are expanding their offerings with additional spirits and creative beverage programs to appeal to those who don’t drink Bourbon but do enjoy other spirits and beverages.

B.H. James Distillers produces award-winning vodka in addition to its whiskey portfolio. Wenzel Distillery features cocktails crafted with a variety of spirits beyond Bourbon, and Bespoken Spirits offers a full lineup of liquors and wine upon request. New Riff Distilling and Castle & Key Distillery both produce gin in addition to Bourbon, expanding the range of spirits visitors can experience. Purple Toad Winery & Distillery offers tastings of several wines made from grapes grown on their on-site vineyard, while Neeley Family Distillery includes more than a dozen non-Bourbon products in its tastings, from absinthe to flavored moonshine.

These expanded offerings make the Kentucky Bourbon Trail® especially appealing for groups with mixed interests, whether individuals prefer Bourbon, vodka, wine, craft cocktails, or non-alcoholic beverages. And whether you’re a history or architecture buff, in search of entertainment, or simply spending time with friends, there are countless ways for the non-Bourbon drinkers among us to enjoy a Kentucky Bourbon Trail® getaway.

Ready to start planning?

Curate the perfect itinerary with our Kentucky Bourbon Trail® Trip Builder.