Popular Kentucky Attraction Eyeing Record Visitation — Plan Ahead So You Don’t Miss Out

Kentucky is a mecca of types for bourbon lovers. In spite of everything, practically the entire world’s bourbon is distilled there in 42 distilleries unfold out alongside what’s formally referred to as the Kentucky Bourbon Path.

To say the Kentucky Bourbon Path is a well-liked vacationer attraction is an understatement. Certainly, 2022 is predicted to set a brand new report for visits to distilleries, breaking the earlier report, which was set in 2019 when 1.7 million folks traveled from around the globe to go to distilleries, based on the Kentucky Distillers’ Affiliation.

The issue, nevertheless, is that the record-setting variety of guests is placing a pressure on bourbon distilleries. To assist ease that congestion, lots of the distilleries are actually asking folks to e book their excursions properly prematurely.

To assist with that effort, the Kentucky Distillers’ Affiliation has launched an promoting and social media marketing campaign referred to as “Guide Now, Bourbon Later” to “improve consciousness of the necessity for guests to plan their distillery experiences forward of time to make sure they get probably the most out of their go to,” the affiliation explains.

“The very last thing we would like is for any bourbon fan to overlook out on the expertise they need,” Mandy Ryan, Kentucky Bourbon Path experiences director, stated. “Since most of our bigger manufacturers can not accommodate walk-in guests, reservations are the important thing to a profitable Kentucky bourbon journey.”

All About Bourbon

For a whiskey to be categorized as a bourbon, it should be made with a minimal of 51 % corn, then aged in new, charred oak containers, the Kentucky Distillers’ Affiliation explains. It then should be saved at not more than 125 proof and bottled at a minimum of 80 proof.

Amazingly, there are actually virtually 11 million barrels of bourbon getting older in Kentucky.

To place bourbon’s reputation in perspective, gross sales of the spirit pump $9 billion into Kentucky’s economic system annually. What’s extra, bourbon distilleries make use of greater than 22,500 folks, with a mixed payroll of greater than $1.2 billion yearly, the affiliation explains.

How To Plan A Journey Alongside The Kentucky Bourbon Path

The excellent news for bourbon lovers is that there are 42 distilleries they will go to in Kentucky!

Plus, there’s no proper or flawed technique to expertise the Kentucky Bourbon Path — you can begin or cease anyplace on the route. Moreover, you possibly can take time to discover as a lot of Kentucky as you need alongside the best way.

Nevertheless, there’s an official Kentucky Bourbon Path Welcome Heart within the Frazier Historical past Museum in Louisville.

In case you are occupied with visiting the Kentucky Bourbon Path, yow will discover a map right here and yow will discover quite a few trip-planning instruments right here.

For instance, you possibly can study extra about particular person distilleries right here and learn to plan a route right here.

You’ll be able to even learn to mix your tour of distilleries with different pursuits, reminiscent of outside actions, get pleasure from bourbon-related courses and workshops, and even find out about accommodations and eating places alongside the journey right here.