Wilderness Trail Distillery

This has been my favorite distillery yet! The grounds are gorgeous and Cooper, their kitty assistant, walks with the tours and has his own merchandise. They are masters of their craft and have a strong scientific background. We loved their deeper shares of the process compared to other distilleries. Since they're the smallest of the big names, they all wear many hats and are extremely knowledgeable. The staff was warm and funny. Our guide was Chris and he was great! It was not the corporate scripted vibe a lot of other distilleries have but organized very well like the larger distilleries. They offer a lot if classes and private tours. We were very impressed with their whiskey and bourbons and bought a couple bottles. Their merchandise was extensive, creative, and a great price as well. I highly recommend checking them out! I'll be coming back for classes next time I'm in Kentucky!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Modern Craftsmanship with Historic Heart – Wilderness Trail Distillery I’ve visited Wilderness Trail Distillery twice now, and each time I’ve come away even more impressed. During my second visit, I joined the guided tour – our guide was not only knowledgeable but also an absolute ray of sunshine, whose enthusiasm for the distillery was truly infectious. The tour was informative, entertaining, and left me eager to dive even deeper into the world of bourbon. Although the distillery is relatively young compared to some of the long-established bourbon legends, that’s exactly what makes it so exciting. It radiates a modern yet incredibly charming spirit that instantly pulls you in. What fascinates me most are the founders, Shane Baker and Pat Heist – known in the industry as the “yeast professors.” Their scientific approach, especially to fermentation, truly sets their whiskeys apart. You can feel the passion and expertise in every detail. A standout feature of Wilderness Trail is their exclusive use of sweet mash – a more meticulous and cleaner process than the traditional sour mash, resulting in whiskey with remarkable depth and clarity. Currently, they offer three different whiskeys: a high-rye Kentucky Straight Bourbon, a wheated bourbon, and a rye whiskey. Each one is a testament to true craftsmanship and proof that less can indeed be more when the quality is top-notch. Another highlight is the historic house on the property, where the world-famous song “Happy Birthday to You” was created by sisters Patty and Mildred Hill. This unique blend of history and innovation makes Wilderness Trail Distillery a truly special place in Kentucky. If you’re a bourbon lover or simply curious about authentic craftsmanship and great stories, don’t miss the chance to visit Wilderness Trail. It’s where science meets soul – and the result is pure joy in a glass. A place that captivates – just as much on the first visit as on the second!

A modern touch while still paying homage to the deep rooted history of Bourbon distilling! Really enjoyed our tour through this beautiful property and learning the history...albeit a short history of how wilderness trail came to be. Shout out to our tour guide Chris who was very personable, passionate and knowledgeable about the property, the process and the product. Would highly recommend planning a stop if you're in the area.

I've been to maybe 10 distilleries, this one, not large but a great tour and tasting, ranks near the top! Guide Frank Covered it all, I could probably make my own now. And their products are good, especially liked the Rye bourbon.

Great tour, our guide did a great job showing us the manicured campus. Cooper the cat showed up at various places for some attention. The 8 year Wheated was outstanding. Love their branding on everything.

Wilderness Trail Distillery has such a cool vibe inside the tasting room. It was very tasteful, and there was a bunch of merchandise to choose from for any bourbon enthusiast, or those just learning. I appreciate the craft behind their selection, and really enjoyed the tasting. The staff that was there were all extremely friendly and helpful.

My husband and I booked the What’s Your Recipe? Experience and had the best time drinking and chatting with Frank! Great distillery—very chill and quiet, and overall a pleasant experience. Cooper (the cat!) was an added bonus!

Had a one on one tour, our guide was top notch and informative. I’d recommend this distillery tour all day. The products available there are top shelf too!