In the 25 years since the Kentucky Bourbon Trail® experience began, a lot has changed. The Trail™ has grown far beyond its simple beginnings – from a modest road trip into a more diverse and wide-ranging experience that stretches across the entire Commonwealth of Kentucky.
When the Kentucky Bourbon Trail® tour first launched in 1999, it was started to showcase the talents of seven distilleries that were in relative proximity to one another. Visiting each distillery was possible in just a day or two. The Kentucky Bourbon Trail® Passport program was developed to reward those willing to achieve the goal of visiting each one.
Now, after 25 years of growth, the Trail™ includes 46 distilleries, with many more on the way. And, while some distilleries are certainly close enough to call each other “neighbors,” some of them are nearly 300 miles away from one another.
The original concept of visiting each distillery has become increasingly difficult—as some of you have let us know. The last thing we want to do is turn your relaxed, enjoyable day into an arduous, rushed experience.
Our goal is for you to learn, linger, and fall in love with Kentucky Bourbon culture. To enjoy and savor every moment. Rushing from stop to stop to gather more passport stamps runs contrary to that enjoyment. We also want you to have the freedom to Build Your Own Bourbon Trail™, based on criteria important to you.
In light of the growth the Trail™ continues to experience, we have made the decision to retire the Kentucky Bourbon Trail® Passport & Field Guide. But for those of you approaching the now-impressive goal of visiting each of the distilleries in the Passport & Field Guide, we will continue to honor and award Passport and Field Guides purchased and registered before July 1, 2024, until July 1, 2025.
You are the people who have brought the Trail™ to life. It is because of you and many other dedicated Kentucky Bourbon Trail® visitors that the Trail™ has become what it is today—a premier destination admired around the world, with 2.5 million visitors every year.
Now, in honor of its 25th Anniversary, we invite you to return and experience a reimagined Kentucky Bourbon Trail® that encourages greater exploration, slowing down, and savoring the moment.
If you have any questions regarding the Kentucky Bourbon Trail® Passport & Field Guide, please visit our Contact Us page.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why are you retiring the Bourbon Trail™ Field Guide & Passport completion gift program?
- A lot has changed in the 25 years since the Kentucky Bourbon Trail® program launched in 1999 with seven distilleries in relative proximity to each other. Today the Bourbon Trail™ has dozens of participating distillery destinations offering a wide range of diverse experiences. There are hundreds of ways to experience Bourbon while on a Kentucky Bourbon Trail® adventure, and soon there will be even more. The Bourbon Trail™ experience is no longer about incentivizing guests to “complete” the quest. It is, instead, a program to showcase the myriad ways to enjoy Kentucky Bourbon culture. There’s a Bourbon Trail™ experience that’s just right for every visitor, and we want to make it easier and fun to discover. Our goal is for you to slow down, enjoy your stay, and of course, to come back and see us again.
2. What if I haven’t yet completed my Bourbon Trail™ Passport & Field Guide?
- Although we are retiring the stamping and gifting model, this book still serves as a wonderful souvenir and handheld guide to the Kentucky Bourbon Trail® distilleries, and a great place to keep notes about your visits. (Please keep in mind that some of the information may be outdated as distillery experiences are added every year). If you are passionate about receiving your completion gift, we will continue to honor completed Passport & Field Guides purchased and registered before July 1, 2024, until July 1, 2025. Passport & Field Guides can no longer be registered after June 30, 2024.
3. Can I still collect stamps in my Bourbon Trail™ Passport and Field Guide?
- Kentucky Bourbon Trail® destinations will continue to stamp passports while supplies last. However, if you encounter a visitor center that is unable to stamp your book, please understand that they may no longer have the supplies to do so.
4. Will there be another Kentucky Bourbon Trail® souvenir program so I can keep a record of all of the distilleries I’ve visited?
- We are always thinking of ideas, and there is certainly more to come with the newly reimagined Bourbon Trail™ program. You can sign up for our newsletter below to stay abreast of all the latest news.
5. How do I get my completion gift?
- If you have registered your Bourbon Trail™ Passport & Field, follow the instructions on the last page of the book. Ask the final distillery on your journey to stamp the completion QR code on that last page. If you are having trouble with the QR code, please email enjoy@kybourbon.com for assistance.
- If you have finished a Craft Tour Region, the distillery will have a card to fill out for the appropriate coin(s) and/or flight tray(s). Follow the instructions on the card.
- For all other inquiries, please email enjoy@kybourbon.com.
- Gifts are processed quarterly, so please allow time for shipping.
6. How long do I have to complete my Bourbon Trail™ Field Guide & Passport?
- We will continue to honor and award Passport and Field Guides purchased and registered before July 1, 2024, until July 1, 2025. Please note that passports can no longer be registered after June 30, 2024.
7. What if I can’t complete my Field Guide & Passport before the program ends?
- That’s okay! You can still use the book as a guide to the Kentucky Bourbon Trail® upon your return visits. Please refer to our kybourbontrail.com website for the most recent information when planning your trip.
8. Can I still purchase a Bourbon Trail™ Field Guide & Passport?
- Field Guide & Passports may still be purchased in our online shop or in distillery gift shops – while supplies last. Please note that passports cannot be registered after June 30, 2024.
9. Why is there no more Craft Tour?
- One word – simplicity. We conducted a lot of research speaking with hundreds of recurring visitors, potential visitors, and distillery frontline staff. One message was clear – most consumers think that all Kentucky distilleries are part of one “Kentucky Bourbon Trail®”. When they did learn the difference between the two Trail™ programs, they reported that it wouldn’t change their planning. The result of this work is a reimagined Kentucky Bourbon Trail® – one that includes all participating Bourbon experiences – that is simpler to understand and encourages greater exploration, slowing down, and savoring the moment. Won’t you join us?