Let me start with a confession:
I don’t really like bourbon.
My husband, however, really likes bourbon.
And somehow, that has resulted in me becoming a person who voluntarily takes weekend trips to Kentucky to visit distilleries.
This past weekend was actually our third trip to Bourbon Country, and I’ve realized something along the way: I genuinely love going.
Not necessarily because of the bourbon.
As an interior designer, I see these places a little differently. I’m looking at the architecture, the landscaping, the interiors, the branding, the hospitality, the little details that make an experience memorable.
Meanwhile, my husband is looking at the bourbon.
It works.
We’re also pretty lucky to live in Middle Tennessee, where Bourbon Country is just a couple of hours away. So if you have a husband who loves bourbon, whiskey, or really anything that comes in a beautiful bottle and involves a tasting flight, you might as well make a weekend of it.
And after three trips, I’ve developed a very unofficial list of the distilleries I would recommend to the wife who doesn’t necessarily love drinking bourbon but still wants to have a really good time.
Because if I’m going to be dragged around Kentucky, there better be beautiful buildings, good cocktails, and something interesting to look at.
Here are my five.
1. Maker’s Mark
Loretto, Kentucky | Approximately 2 hours from Nashville
Designer rating: 10/10 | Cocktail rating: 10/10
If I could recommend just one distillery to a fellow non-bourbon-drinking wife, Maker’s Mark would be it. Located at Star Hill Farm, the property is absolutely beautiful—from the manicured grounds and massive hydrangeas to the iconic red shutters and thoughtful branding throughout the property. The visitor center itself felt more like an art museum than a distillery, and don’t even get me started on the bathrooms. I took more pictures of those than I have on some actual job sites.
The best part for me? They have cocktails, so while my husband was enjoying his bourbon tasting, I could enjoy something I actually wanted to drink. The hospitality is also incredible. And on one of our visits, we dipped our own Maker’s Mark bottle for our wedding, which we later buried on the property as part of the Kentucky tradition of burying bourbon for good wedding weather. We had gorgeous weather, so I’m giving Maker’s Mark partial credit.
2. Wild Turkey
Lawrenceburg, Kentucky | Approximately 3 hours from Nashville
Designer rating: 9.5/10 | Cocktail rating: 10/10
Wild Turkey is a little smaller than some of the other stops, but the setting is beautiful. Sitting above the Kentucky River, the views are incredible, and I can only imagine how beautiful this property is in the fall. I also loved the design of the visitor center, which takes inspiration from a Kentucky tobacco barn. The wood-slatted exterior carries into a cozy upstairs lounge with huge windows overlooking the landscape.
And, of course, I was there for the cocktails. My favorite was Set Me on Fire, an apple cider and cinnamon-spiced cocktail that tasted like fall in a glass—and the best part? You get to keep the cocktail glass. We haven’t done the tour yet simply because we haven’t found a time that worked with our schedule, but it’s definitely on our list for the next trip, especially since Wild Turkey has always been one of my husband’s favorites.
3. Bulleit Distilling Co.
Shelbyville, Kentucky | Approximately 3 hours from Nashville
Designer rating: 10/10 | Branding rating: 100/10
If Maker’s Mark is for the traditionalist, Bulleit is for the branding girlies. The amount of brand identity throughout this property is something I absolutely loved. The colors, graphics, typography, bottle, buildings, and interiors all feel completely connected. The lobby in particular has this really cool graffiti-meets-industrial feel that is bold, unexpected, and incredibly fun.
We also did a tour and tasting here, and this was the first place where I thought, Wait… do I actually like bourbon? The tasting was so immersive, incorporating different sounds, foods, and sensory elements to make you pay attention to what you were actually tasting. They also talked about adding a few drops of water to bring out different notes, which was fascinating to experience. And yes, they have a cocktail bar onsite, too—because obviously I took advantage of that.
4. Bardstown Bourbon Company
Bardstown, Kentucky | Approximately 2½ hours from Nashville
Designer rating: 9/10 | Food + cocktails: 8/10
Bardstown Bourbon Company is one we definitely need to revisit. We went back in 2021, so it’s been a few years, but what I remember most is that it felt like much more than simply a place to drink bourbon. We did a barrel-focused experience where we learned about how bourbon is made, tasted directly from the barrel, and finished with a tasting in a beautiful lounge.
They also have a full restaurant and cocktail bar onsite, which is always a win in my book. We didn’t stay for lunch, but we did stop for a cocktail before leaving, and I remember thinking we needed to come back. The property has continued to grow since our visit, so I’m especially excited to see what has changed—and, of course, what they’re pouring now.
5. Buffalo Trace
Frankfort, Kentucky | Approximately 3¼ hours from Nashville
Designer rating: 8.5/10 | History: 10/10 | Gift shop danger: Extremely high
Buffalo Trace is probably the distillery where I appreciate the history the most—and naturally, it’s my husband’s favorite bourbon. We’ve been several times, and the historic property never gets old. The buildings, aging warehouses, grounds, and overall character make it feel like you’re walking through bourbon history rather than simply visiting a distillery.
Buffalo Trace is a National Historic Landmark and has more than 200 years of history on the property, so there is plenty to look at beyond the tasting room. We also somehow spend way too much time in the gift shop every single time. I’m not sure what we’re expecting to find that we haven’t already found on the previous trips, but apparently we have to check.
So, Do You Have to Like Bourbon to Enjoy Bourbon Country?
Apparently not.
At least, I don’t.
What I’ve realized after three trips to Kentucky is that I genuinely love going to distilleries with my husband—not because I suddenly became a bourbon connoisseur, but because we experience these places completely differently.
I’m looking at the landscaping. He’s looking at the bourbon.
I’m taking pictures of the bathroom. He’s taking pictures of the bottle.
I’m admiring the branding. He’s asking which bottle we’re buying.
And somehow, it works.
So if your husband is the bourbon guy in your relationship and you’ve been less than thrilled about spending an entire weekend drinking whiskey you don’t particularly enjoy, I say go anyway.
Find the places with beautiful properties, great cocktails, good food, interesting architecture, and experiences that go beyond what’s in the tasting glass.
You might just discover that Bourbon Country has something for you, too.
And if nothing else, you’ll probably come home with a few cocktail glasses, approximately 400 pictures of beautiful buildings, and a husband who is already planning your next trip.
And maybe—just maybe—you’ll even find a bourbon you actually like.
No promises.
