The distillery’s own tours are free, but the drive, the guide and the distilleries around it are worth booking — see what a full day with transfers runs.
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Private bourbon tours: $1,525 custom day and the $250 three-distillery upgrade

Two private options. The private full day is built entirely around you — nine hours, a custom itinerary, Frankfort-based, pickup included, and priced per group rather than per head. It carries perfect marks so far, though from only a handful of travellers. The three-distillery day is the cheaper route to a private car: it runs as a shared tour by default, with a private upgrade offered on request.
Full-day private$1,525 per group, up to 2 people
Duration9 hours
What you buildYour itinerary from 5 distilleries
Comparison$233 per person for bourbon trail ($466 for two)
Best forCouples, special occasions, custom days
Private upgradeAvailable on $250 three-distillery tour

The $1,525 private full day (per group up to 2)

This price is per group, up to 2 people. Not per person. If you are traveling as a couple, this is the whole cost for both of you for nine hours, lunch, guide, and a custom itinerary. If you are traveling alone, you still pay $1,525 for the day.

Operator: Sip Kentucky Tours. Nine hours, pickup included, wheelchair accessible. You build the itinerary from five distilleries: Buffalo Trace (the anchor for most people), Kentucky Artisan, J. Mattingly 1845, Bluegrass Distillers, and Jeptha Creed. The operator works with you to route your day. Includes lunch, bottled water, private air-conditioned transport, and gratuity. Rated 5.0 from 2 reviews (a small sample, but perfect ratings).

Contrast this with the $233 per-person Kentucky Bourbon Trail: that is $466 for two people for 8 hours and a fixed itinerary. The private day is $1,525 for two, nine hours and a day built exactly how you want it. You are paying a premium for control and customization, not for luxury — though the private car and lunch help.

Full Day Private Bourbon Tour of Frankfort/Lexington AreaPrivate

Full Day Private Bourbon Tour of Frankfort/Lexington Area

★ 5.0 · 2 reviews
from $1,525 / group up to 2
Check availability
Kentucky Bourbon Experience: 3 Iconic DistilleriesYou pick the stops

Kentucky Bourbon Experience: 3 Iconic Distilleries

★ 4.3 · 5 reviews
from $250 / person
Check availability
Louisville: Kentucky Bourbon Trail Full Day TourGoes to Buffalo Trace

Louisville: Kentucky Bourbon Trail Full Day Tour

★ 4.9 · 7 reviews
from $233 / person
Check availability

When the private day makes sense

The three-distillery upgrade

The $250 three-distillery tour also offers a private upgrade on request. Contact the operator (Bourbon Bites Tour) when you book. The base price is for a small group; the private version is just you and your travel companion(s), though the operator will quote a custom price.

Read the full reviews

Read the full private tour review, the three-distillery tour, or the bourbon trail comparison.

21+Kentucky’s legal drinking age is 21, and every distillery here checks a valid government photo ID before pouring. Under-21s are welcome on most tours but are not served; some warehouse and hard-hat tours set a higher minimum age of their own. If a tour includes tastings, plan a driver or book one that includes transport — and please drink responsibly.

Frequently asked questions

Is $1,525 per person or for the whole group?

Per group, up to 2 people. If you are two people, that is $1,525 total for nine hours, lunch, guide, transport and a custom itinerary. It is not $1,525 per person.

How is the private day different from the bourbon trail?

The bourbon trail is $233 per person (8 hours, fixed itinerary, small group). The private day is $1,525 per group of up to 2 (9 hours, custom itinerary, just you and your guide). For two people, the bourbon trail is $466 total; the private day is $1,525 total.

Can I request Buffalo Trace on the private tour?

Yes. Buffalo Trace is the anchor of the custom itinerary. You choose from Buffalo Trace, Kentucky Artisan, J. Mattingly 1845, Bluegrass Distillers, and Jeptha Creed. Most people include Buffalo Trace.

Is the private tour worth $1,525 for two people?

It depends. If you want a custom day, control over stops, lunch included, and private transport, yes. If you are happy with a fixed itinerary and a group tour, the $233 per-person bourbon trail ($466 for two) is better value.

Is there a private upgrade on other tours?

The $250 three-distillery tour offers a private upgrade on request; contact the operator for pricing. Most other tours do not have a private option.