Bardstown Bound | Heaven Hill Distillery
With names like Willett Distillery, Bardstown Bourbon Company, and Heaven Hill, it’s no surprise that Bardstown is a bustling hub for bourbon novices and connoisseurs alike. A trip to Bardstown wouldn’t be complete without a one-of-a-kind tasting experience, and I have just the one for you.
During my last trip to Bardstown, one of my dear friends, The Bearded Bourboner ( you’ll want to give him a follow on Insta) recommended that I stop by Heaven Hill for one of their tasting experiences. Given the proximity to Willett, I knew I had to check it out.
For those of you who aren’t familiar, Heaven Hill is one of the largest, independent, family-owned bourbon distilleries in the world. While they have many bourbons in their portfolio, they are widely known for Elijah Craig, Evan Williams, and Larceny.
Heaven Hill offers a variety of opportunities for guests to learn about the brand history and taste the traditions of what makes Heaven Hill so special. Currently, there are three different tasting options available, but the one you can’t miss is “You Do Bourbon.” This tasting experience includes samples of two exclusive batches of non-chill filtered barrel-proof whiskies: Elijah Craig and Larceny as well as Bernheim Barrel Proof.
We were greeted by our bourbon educator, Herb, who shared his love for bourbon while guiding us through our tasting. Warning, some of the samples will give you what Herb calls a “Kentucky Hug” so if you are a novice like myself, get ready!
Heaven Hill Distillery | Bottling Station
What makes this tasting unlike any other? After the tasting, guests have the opportunity to bottle and personalize their favorite. Admittedly, I enjoyed the Larceny the most, but given what little I know about the bourbon market (coupled with the advice of my friend), I opted for the Elijah Craig Barrel Proof.
After thoroughly completing the washing and drying cycle, I was ready to start the bottling process. First, guests position their bottle under the filling machine and then pull down on the outside lever to fill the glass canister in the center. This is important because you don’t want to miss a drop.
Once the canister is completely full, pull down on the second lever and watch the magic happen. Now that you’ve topped off your bottle, it’s time to grab a stopper and head over to the labeling table where you begin the personalization process.
Guests have the creative freedom to label and personalize their bottles any way they see fit. Make sure you have a little fun with it!
Bardstown has become one of my favorite “road-trip” destinations as it’s such an easy drive from Nashville. While I am somewhat of a bourbon novice, I am always looking for new and interesting ways to learn more about the history and tradition of this Kentucky spirit. If you visit Heaven Hill or have any other recommendations, please share them below!
Until Next Time!
Tariff: The cost of the You Do Bourbon experience is $40.00/person If you decide to purchase and personalize a bottle that will be an additional cost.
Duration: The You Do Bourbon experience is approximately an hour. If you are fascinated by the intricacies of bourbon products, it’s easy to spend more time exploring the hands-on lab.
Reservations: Reservations are required and can be canceled two days before your booking.
