Buffalo Trace tours and Kentucky bourbon day trips compared
The nine bourbon day trips
Leaving from Louisville, Lexington and Frankfort. Prices from $23 per person to $1,525 per group (up to 2). Three of these tours reach Buffalo Trace on request; the rest are the paid distilleries and Frankfort experiences around it.
Goes to Buffalo TraceLouisville: Kentucky Bourbon Trail Full Day Tour
You pick the stopsKentucky Bourbon Experience: 3 Iconic Distilleries
PrivateFull Day Private Bourbon Tour of Frankfort/Lexington Area
CheapestLouisville: Evan Williams Bourbon Experience Tour & Tasting
Chocolate pairingAngel’s Envy Distillery: Signature Tour with Bourbon Tasting
Dip your own bottleLoretto: Maker’s Mark Distillery Guided Tour & Tasting
Straight from the barrelClermont: James B. Beam Distilling Co. Warehouse Tour
Food and bourbonLexington: Distillery District Food, Drink, and History Tour
Frankfort after darkHallowed and Hidden Hauntings of Frankfort Ghost Tours
How to pick: the three most popular paths
The $233 Kentucky Bourbon Trail full day departs Louisville on Thursday (the Legends and Barrels itinerary includes Buffalo Trace). The $250 three-distillery tour lets you pick which three you want, including Buffalo Trace. The $1,525 private day, per group up to 2, is built around Frankfort and custom to your itinerary.
| Louisville: Kentucky Bourbon Trail Full Day Tour | Top pickKentucky Bourbon Experience: 3 Iconic Distilleries | Louisville: Evan Williams Bourbon Experience Tour & Tasting | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $233 / person | $250 / person | $23 / person |
| Duration | 8 hours | 6 hours | 1 hour |
| Departure | Louisville | Louisville | Louisville |
| Group size | Max 10 (small group) | Flexible | Varies |
| Best for | Full bourbon day | Custom stops | Budget option |
| Free cancellation | ✓ Up to 24 h before | ✓ Up to 24 h before | ✓ Up to 24 h before |
| View → | Book this → | View → |
The Wednesday 10 a.m. reservation drop is real. Set a phone alarm for 10 a.m. EST on Wednesday morning, have your party size ready, and be on buffalotracedistillery.com when the clock hits zero. The Hard Hat Tour is gone in seconds.
By departure city
From Louisville (55 miles, 1 hour drive): the $233 Kentucky Bourbon Trail full day on Thursdays (includes Buffalo Trace), the $250 three-distillery tour, the $23 Evan Williams hour-long tour, the $32 Angel’s Envy tour with chocolate pairings, and the $30 Maker’s Mark dip-your-own-bottle tour in Loretto.
From Lexington (26 miles, 42 minutes): the $110 Distillery District food and bourbon tour — five to six stops with food. Also close to Frankfort for the $1,525 private custom day, per group up to 2.
Frankfort itself (the state capital): the $24 ghost tour, an evening walking tour of downtown Frankfort that is more history than horror, meeting on the Transportation Cabinet steps at 200 Mero Street.
By the warehouse: the $40 Clermont warehouse tour samples straight from the barrel; the $30 Loretto Maker’s Mark hand-dips the red wax seal on a bottle you take home.
Read the tour reviews first
I’ve written detailed reviews of all nine tours. Start with the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, or browse all reviews.
Still deciding? Read how much it costs, which tour suits your day, or the complete guide to the free distillery tours and how the Wednesday drop works.
Can’t make these dates?
Browse more available Buffalo Trace tour and find one that fits your schedule — all with instant confirmation and free cancellation.
Frequently asked questions
Are Buffalo Trace’s tours really free?
Yes. The Trace Tour, Old Taylor Tour and Hard Hat Tour cost nothing. Reservations open only on buffalotracedistillery.com. We are not the distillery and we earn nothing when you book one.
How do I get a reservation for the free tours?
Reservations open eight weeks in advance and new dates are released at 10 a.m. EST on Wednesdays. The Hard Hat Tour is typically gone in under two minutes. If you miss it, there is a complimentary tasting at the gift shop with no reservation.
Which paid tour includes Buffalo Trace?
The $233 Kentucky Bourbon Trail tour on Thursdays (the ‘Legends and Barrels’ itinerary) includes Buffalo Trace, Woodford Reserve and J. Mattingly 1845. The $250 three-distillery tour lets you request Buffalo Trace as one of your three picks.
What if I can’t get a reservation?
The distillery pours complimentary guided tastings at the gift shop in 1881 Warehouse A every day with no reservation needed. Or book a paid distillery tour in the Frankfort area instead.
Is $1,525 the price per person?
No. The $1,525 private tour is per group, up to 2 people. That is the whole cost for a nine-hour custom day. All other prices on this site are per person.
Can I visit without a tour?
Yes. The grounds and gift shop are open to walk-in visitors. You can watch the gift-shop tasting any day, Monday through Saturday 9 a.m.–5 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m.–5 p.m.