Join 9 Maple and Travel Directions, Inc. on a journey down the Kentucky Bourbon Trail where we visit 8 famous distilleries, a barrel cooperage, a horse farm and have a fun-filled afternoon at Churchill Downs.
This is a unique opportunity to visit Kentucky with a group of bourbon aficionados.
During this 4-night tour, you will be treated to tours and tastings on both the South and East bourbon trails. We base ourselves in Louisville where we will also have two group dinners at acclaimed local restaurants.
The trip will consist of 4 nights in Louisville, Kentucky, at the Embassy Suites hotel (or similar) that includes a daily cooked-to-order breakfast.
Distilleries include Maker’s Mark, Heaven Hill, Jim Beam, Willett, Four Roses, Wild Turkey, Woodford Reserve & Buffalo Trace. We also visit a horse farm and the Kentucky Derby Museum. We will enjoy box seats at Churchill Downs for live Saturday racing and the live stream of the 2nd leg of the Triple Crown, the Preakness race, from Baltimore.
Trip Information
Highlights:
- Visits to 8 famous bourbon distilleries
- Tours and tastings at Maker’s Mark, Willett, Woodford Reserve and Buffalo Trace
- Tastings at Heaven Hill, Jim Beam, Wild Turkey and Four Roses
- Lunch included in Bardstown, Versailles & Lexington
- Tour of the Brown Forman Cooperage
- Morning thoroughbred horse farm tour
- Visit the Kentucky Derby Museum
- Group box seats at Churchill Downs for live racing
- Two group dinners in Louisville
PRICE: $1595.00 per person / double occupancy – Deposit of $495 required to reserve a space on the trip. Limited spots available. PLEASE NOTE, THIS TRIP IS FILLING UP QUICKLY.
Included:
- 4 overnights in Louisville
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Tour Leaders – Matt from 9 Maple & Charles from Travel Directions
- Local Kentucky Guide
- Breakfasts (4), Lunches (3), and Dinners (2)
- Visits to 8 distilleries and one cooperage
- Special tastings
- Comprehensive sightseeing including all admissions
- All taxes
Not Included:
- Drinks with meals unless mentioned in itinerary
- Dinners not listed on itinerary
- Airfare to Louisville
- Tips to driver and guide
- Trip insurance – highly recommended
Recommended for:
If you enjoy being around people, learning about bourbon and having fun, this 9 Maple Bourbon Trail tour is for you.
This special tour will bring you to the best distilleries in Kentucky and include a customized horse racing experience as well. The best of what Kentucky has to offer.
Your Trip Leaders
Trip leaders are Matt Ferguson, a whiskey connoisseur from 9 Maple Avenue, and Charles Grabitzky from Travel Directions, who leads small groups around the world.
9 Maple Avenue is an intimate jazz bar set in Saratoga Springs, NY. It has the largest selection of whiskies between Manhattan and Montreal. It holds monthly Angel’s Share whiskey tastings. Matt Ferguson has worked for 9 Maple Avenue for more than a decade and is a connoisseur of whiskey from around the world.
Charles Grabitzky has been providing guided tours with Travel Directions throughout the world over the past twenty years. Travel Directions is located in Saratoga Springs, NY.
Trip Details
Itinerary Summary
Wednesday, May 17 Day 1, Arrive in Louisville for 4 nights, Welcome Group Dinner (D)
Thursday, May 18 Day 2, South Trail Day Tour – Maker’s Mark Tour & Tasting, Lunch in Bardstown, Heaven Hill Connoisseur Tasting, Willett Tour & Tasting, Jim Beam Tasting (B,L)
Friday, May 19 Day 3, East Trail Day Tour, Brown Forman Cooperage Tour, Woodford Reserve Tour & Tasting, Lunch in Versailles, Wild Turkey Tasting, Four Roses Tasting, Buffalo Trace Tour & Tasting, Group Dinner in Louisville (B,L,D)
Saturday, May 20 Day 4, Morning tour of horse farm, lunch in Lexington, visit Kentucky Derby Museum, Churchill Downs racing (B,L)
Sunday, May 21 Day 5, Depart Louisville (B)
Breakfast (B) – 4
Lunch (L) – 3
Dinner (D) – 2
Embassy Suites (or similar):
The Embassy Suites is located in a historic building with a contemporary, boutique-like ambiance. Just three blocks from Whiskey Row in downtown Louisville, it is right next to the entertainment district with its many restaurants and bars.
Complimentary full hot breakfast.
Kentucky, the “Bluegrass State”, is known for horses, bourbon, rolling hills and now fine dining. We base ourselves in Louisville for this trip. Home of the Kentucky Derby and Louisville Slugger, Louisville is the ideal spot for dining and entertaining a group tour.
“Kentucky has always said you can’t really make bourbon outside of Kentucky because it’s a combination of the barrels and the limestone-fed springs that give us the water. That’s our story, and we’re sticking to it.” – John Yarmuth
During this trip we will enjoy a Welcome Dinner on Wednesday, May 17th, and another group dinner on Friday, May 19th. Locations to be determined.
Lunch will be provided during our day tours on Thursday in Bardstown, Friday in Versailles and Saturday in Lexington.
Breakfast is included with our accommodations at the Embassy Suites.
Contact us for a Registration Form or more information.
