LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Kentucky Bourbon Trail (KBT) is celebrating 25 years of bringing tourists to the Commonwealth, and they're doing something big to celebrate it.
The Bourbon Trail started with only seven distilleries back in 1999. Now, it's grown to 46 distilleries total; the Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour and the Kentucky Bourbon Trail tour combined to make a statewide Bourbon Trail experience according to the Kentucky Distillers' Association.
Since its creation, the spirits tour has attracted more than 18 million visitors from all 50 states and dozens of countries, the KDA said.
As the original trail grew, it traversed the heart of Kentucky bourbon country, spotlighting such powerhouse brands as Jim Beam, Maker's Mark, Wild Turkey, Woodford Reserve, Evan Williams, Four Roses, Old Forester, Michter’s and Bulleit.
Spirit companies have invested huge sums into new or expanded visitor centers to capitalize on the growing appeal of getting behind-the-scenes peeks into how bourbon is crafted.
For their 25 anniversary, it is unveiling a new brand identity "that conveys a joyful sense of discovery, elevated adventure, and attainable luxury" and launching an all new online experience to help visitors prepare for their Bourbon Trail trip.
It would also allow visitors to build their own Bourbon Trail experience according to the KBT's website. The new digital experience is set to launch sometime this summer.
Overall, Kentucky’s bourbon industry injects $9 billion into the state’s economy each year, creating more jobs and attracting more tourists than ever before, according to a recent study. More rounds of growth are expected as Kentucky producers make billions of dollars in capital investments. Kentucky distillers produced a record 2.7 million barrels of bourbon in 2022, according to the report, which was commissioned by the distillers’ association.
Producers had a record inventory of 12.6 million bourbon barrels aging in warehouses at the start of 2023, according to the association. Those massive inventories are a bet on the future because most bourbons typically age four to eight years before reaching their market. Bourbon gets its flavor and golden brown color during aging.
Kentucky distillers produce 95% of the global bourbon supply, the KDA says.
Gov. Andy Beshear also designated June 20 as "Bourbon Trail Day in the Commonwealth."
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The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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