Maker’s Mark Distillery is one of the must-visit Kentucky distilleries near Bardstown. It’s a bourbon lover’s dream destination! The iconic red waxed bottle is recognized worldwide, and the brand started at Star Hill Farm in Loretto, Kentucky, in 1953. This bourbon has been crafted the same way for three generations—a family recipe perfected and passed down. It began as a quest to create a bourbon that the Samuel family enjoyed drinking and sharing with friends, and today, it’s one of the most well-known bourbons in the nation.
A bourbon lover visiting the Maker’s Mark Distillery has been compared to a child going to Disneyland for the first time! It’s an immersive experience in a beautiful location with hands-on activities, detailed tours, and history, along with tastings and purchase options. Whether exploring the distillery or the 1100 acres with beautiful American oak trees—there’s a lovely selection of curated tours and tastings.
Before you start booking your Maker’s Mark distillery tours, you’ll want to secure your lodging, and our Bardstown Bed and Breakfasts is the best place to stay on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. Not only is our historic Inn comfortable and spacious, but our immaculate guest rooms are all designed with couples in mind, with a charming bourbon-themed name for each space. We’ll send you off on your adventures with a hearty breakfast, the perfect start to a day in Bardstown tasting and touring the local distilleries. Book your lodging today!
The Iconic Maker's Mark Distillery & More Bardstown Distilleries
Bourbon lovers feel right at home in Bardstown, Kentucky, the Bourbon Capital of the World and sits right at the heart of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail—while Maker’s Mark Distillery is located about 30 minutes from Bardstown (well worth the quick road trip!), you’ll find a great selection of distilleries within minutes of our bed and breakfast as well.
Here are your tasting and tour options at the Maker’s Mark distillery:
- The Remarkable Experience: This is the most expansive experience that this Kentucky distillery explores behind the scenes at the distillery and the stunning nature of Heritage Lake and Star Hill Farm. You’ll witness firsthand every aspect of the bottling, aging, and production. Along the way, you’ll indulge in unique tastes and finish with a toast out by the pristine waters of the lake. This tour is approximately 2.5 hours.
- Behind the Bourbon: More interested in the distilling process? This tour is perfect for those true fans, accessing far reaches of the distillery, warehouse, cellar, cistern, and bottling.
- The Maker’s Mark Distillery Tour: The most popular touring option, an experienced guide will teach you the history of the Maker’s Mark Distillery brand. This tour stays mostly outdoors and consists of about 1/4 mile of walking on the beautiful campus.
- Marker’s Mark Distillery Art & Design Tour: If you’re a fan of bourbon but also love art and design, this is the special tour for you. Star Hill Farms is home to over 20 original art pieces and structures. This 90-minute experience will take you across the campus with a trained guide, who will describe each piece and share some information about the artist. You’ll wrap up with a pour of the classic bourbon under the iconic Dale Chihuly piece, The Spirit Of The Maker.
Other Bardstown Distilleries to Add to Your Itinerary:
A trip to Maker’s Mark Distillery is always a treat! However, here is a list of our favorite Bardstown distilleries near the Bourbon Manor Bed and Breakfast:
- Heaven Hill Bourbon Experience: For an immersive tour, tasting, and museum experience, this is one of the best distilleries in Bardstown to visit during your stay.
- Lux Row Distillers: With five distinct brands under one roof, bourbon lovers will love the variety at a tasting and tour here.
- Bardstown Bourbon Company: This local distillery is known for its modern approach and state-of-the-art facility in Bardstown. Head here for hands-on tours, tastings, and cocktail classes.
- Preservation Distillery & Farm: Specializing in very small batch bourbon with unique releases, you’ll try traditional pot still bourbons at this beautiful and pastoral location in Bardstown.
- Willett Distillery: This long-time distillery is a classic spot for tastings, tours, and delicious meals at their on-site restaurant, The Bar at Willett.
The Best Bardstown Bed and Breakfast for Romantic Lodging
One of the highlights of any trip to Bardstown will be visiting Maker’s Mark Distillery the local distilleries. It’s a fantastic way to learn more about the process of this iconic beverage and meet people who are passionate about their craft. At the Bourbon Manor Bed and Breakfast, you’ll also see that we take our craft of hospitality very seriously, but all with a smile and a warm demeanor. We embrace Southern charm and love to welcome each guest as if they were more like a distant family member.
Our property consists of several historic buildings. The main Manor House comprises seven guest rooms, a dining room where you can enjoy breakfast every morning, a spa room, and a gym on the lower level. The Federal House Guest Cottage is where we have our other three lodging options. These spacious bedrooms, gathering room, kitchen area, and deck overlooking the private back lawn offer a comfortable and enjoyable experience for small groups or friends traveling together.
We offer our guests of our Bardstown Bed and Breakfast a long list of add-on packages, but the most popular option for bourbon enthusiasts is the “Bourbon Tour & Tasting Package,” which is a comprehensive itinerary for a self-guided tour. This add-on includes fun details like two bourbon shots on us, keepsake rocks glasses, chocolates, and much more! We can’t wait to host you for the best bourbon tours in Bardstown, KY; book your room today!
