About this tour
When Jake from our team booked this private bourbon tour through Kentucky, he got the full VIP treatment—custom stops at distilleries like Buffalo Trace and Woodford Reserve, tastings led by actual master distillers, and the kind of behind-the-scenes access you don't get on group outings. It's an 8–9 hour day through proper bourbon country, all rolling hills and historic brick buildings, with a driver who knows where to go and what to pour. Ideal if you want to skip the tourist crush and actually talk bourbon with someone who makes it.
Highlights
- Custom itinerary—pick which distilleries appeal to you most
- Master distiller tastings and facility tours off the standard path
- Private transport means no waiting for group stragglers
- Scenic Kentucky countryside between each stop
- Lunch included; water, AC vehicle throughout
- Flexible pacing and timing to suit your whisky pace
- Wheelchair accessible and stroller-friendly throughout
What to expect
Jake's day kicked off with a pick-up in a climate-controlled vehicle, then it became a series of distillery stops tailored to what he actually wanted to see. Rather than herding through a packed visitor centre with fifty other people, he got direct access to production areas and small-group tastings with distillers who weren't rushing through a script. The Kentucky landscape between stops is genuinely worth the drive—proper countryside, not strip malls.
Lunch breaks the day sensibly, and the pacing is yours to set. If you want an extra 20 minutes at one distillery or need a slower walk around the grounds, there's no bus departure time hanging over you. The whole thing hinges on your driver and whether the distilleries have staff available that day, so it's not entirely friction-free, but the private model removes the usual bottlenecks of group tours.
Good to know
This works best for serious bourbon enthusiasts or small groups (mates, couples) who want to skip the queues and chat properly with the people making it. You'll taste more premium selections than the public tour menu offers, and the itinerary bends to your interests. Wheelchair users and families with prams can access most stops. Lunch is covered, which saves you hunting for a decent meal in bourbon-heavy territory.
Eight to nine hours of driving and tasting is a long day—pace yourself or you'll be asleep before the second distillery. Not all distilleries are equally accessible; some have gravel or stairs. Gratuities aren't included, so budget for your driver and any guides you meet. Peak autumn and weekends book up fast. Kids under drinking age will feel sidelined during the actual tastings, though they can tag along and explore grounds.
Bring sunscreen and comfortable shoes. The tour is private (usually 2–8 people), operates year-round, and includes transport, water, and a meal. Check what distilleries are on your preferred itinerary before booking—not all are guaranteed available every day.
Tour sold and operated by Viator via Viator. Descriptions on this page are original BugBitten summaries written by our team — not copied from the operator. Prices and availability are confirmed at checkout.