Preservation Distillery & Farm
Experience handcrafted, estate pot-distilled bourbon on a scenic 40-acre farm. Intimate tours and passionate staff make this a must-visit.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Fewer crowds, more personal
Preservation Distillery & Farm
Best Time
Fewer crowds, more personal
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Experience handcrafted, estate pot-distilled bourbon on a scenic 40-acre farm. Intimate tours and passionate staff make this a must-visit.
"The best distillery tour we’ve had by far, even though others were great too."
🎯 Ask for Amy or Baby Kate!
Guides like Amy and Baby Kate are praised for being funny, informative, and entertaining.
🥃 Taste the Sweet Mash
Don't miss their sweet mash bourbons and locally grown rye; they're highly recommended.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Pot Stills & Farm Ambiance
Distillery floor and grounds
Witness the unique pot stills and explore the 40-acre farm that influences their handcrafted spirits. A truly immersive experience.
Exceptional Bourbon Tastings
Tasting room
Sample exquisite, small-batch bourbons and rye, often featuring locally grown grains. Flavors of the past await.
Meet the Passionate Team
Throughout the distillery
Engage with knowledgeable and friendly staff like Amy or Marci, who share deep insights into bourbon making and history.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Book Your Tour in Advance
Embrace the Farm Experience
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🎯 Ask for Amy or Baby Kate!
Guides like Amy and Baby Kate are praised for being funny, informative, and entertaining.
🥃 Taste the Sweet Mash
Don't miss their sweet mash bourbons and locally grown rye; they're highly recommended.
🚜 Explore the Farm
Take time to appreciate the 40-acre farm setting; it's a unique part of the experience.
🤝 Connect with Staff
Chat with passionate team members like Marci or Kyle for deep insights into distillation.
Tips
from all over the internet
🎯 Ask for Amy or Baby Kate!
Guides like Amy and Baby Kate are praised for being funny, informative, and entertaining.
🥃 Taste the Sweet Mash
Don't miss their sweet mash bourbons and locally grown rye; they're highly recommended.
🚜 Explore the Farm
Take time to appreciate the 40-acre farm setting; it's a unique part of the experience.
🤝 Connect with Staff
Chat with passionate team members like Marci or Kyle for deep insights into distillation.
🚗 Plan Your Route
Bardstown is a hub; combine Preservation with other distilleries for a full bourbon trail experience.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors consistently praise Preservation Distillery & Farm for its exceptional, handcrafted bourbons and intimate, personal tours. The knowledgeable and friendly staff, particularly guides like Amy and Marci, create a memorable experience. The farm setting adds a unique charm, making it a standout stop on the Bourbon Trail.
"If you like very special things and meeting great people, make sure to visit get a tour at Preservation. Also have some of their amazing bourbons. You’ll
Learn a lot and taste the flavors of the past. Amy, our guide, gave us the best distillery tour we’ve had by far (even though others were great too). She was knowledgeable and fun, even though her jokes were at least 51% corn.
I have to say their sweet mash bourbons, and locally grown rye, are at the top of my list now."
Dennas Davis
"Our visit to Preservation Distillery was an unforgettable experience. We had the pleasure of meeting Marci in person — always such a treat — as well as Kyle Loyd, who has a great background from his time with Michter’s.
We enjoyed an incredible dinner with perfectly cooked steak and pulled pork sandwiches, followed by a super in-depth tasting that made the day even more special. Being able to talk with Kyle about the technical side of their blending and distillation process was fascinating — he was generous with his knowledge and clearly passionate about what they do.
Marci was amazing as always, bringing so much history and insight from her time with the Van Winkle family. Getting to try their 17- and 20-year Stitzel-Weller whiskies was truly a dream come true.
Preservation is a must-visit for anyone who loves great bourbon, great people, and a truly personal experience."
Alexander Kim
"Save time and skip the other tours. We have been on several of the well rated ones and this was our favorite. We did the Buffalo Trace tasting yesterday and it was way to busy. This was very personal. The bourbon being great helped too. But this is KY, lots of the bourbon is great, the experience is what really made the difference."
Nicholas Bradford
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Preservation Distillery & Farm is located in Bardstown, Kentucky, about an hour's drive southeast of Louisville. You can reach it by car via I-64 E and then US-31E S. Consider ride-sharing services if you plan on tasting extensively.
Yes, ample parking is available on-site at Preservation Distillery & Farm, making it convenient for visitors arriving by car.
Absolutely! Preservation Distillery is a fantastic stop on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. Many visitors combine it with other nearby distilleries in Bardstown for a comprehensive experience.
For safety and convenience, especially when tasting, consider booking a local shuttle service or hiring a driver. Some tour companies also offer packages that include transportation between distilleries.
Bardstown offers a variety of charming inns, hotels, and bed & breakfasts. Staying overnight allows you to fully enjoy the bourbon experience without rushing.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
It is highly recommended to book your tours and tasting experiences in advance, especially for weekend visits or specific tasting sessions, as they can fill up quickly.
Preservation Distillery offers various tour and tasting experiences, often focusing on their unique pot-distilled bourbons and farm-to-bottle process. Prices can vary, so check their official website for the most current information and booking options.
Operating hours can vary seasonally. It's best to check the official Preservation Distillery & Farm website for the most up-to-date information on tour times and tasting availability.
Yes, you can purchase bottles of their highly-regarded bourbons and rye directly from the distillery. Many visitors find themselves wanting to take home their favorites after a tasting.
Yes, all participants for tours and tastings must be 21 years of age or older with valid identification.
🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience
Preservation Distillery is known for its intimate and personal tours, focusing on their estate pot-distilled bourbons and the influence of their 40-acre farm. Guides are often praised for their knowledge and engaging personalities.
They specialize in handcrafted, small-batch bourbons and rye, often featuring wheated mash bills and locally grown grains. Their estate pot-distilled expressions are particularly noteworthy.
While children are welcome to accompany adults on tours, they cannot participate in tastings. Pets are generally not permitted inside the distillery or tasting areas, though service animals are usually allowed. Check their policy for specifics.
The atmosphere is often described as personal, friendly, and educational. It's a family-owned operation with a passion for craft spirits, offering a more intimate experience compared to larger distilleries.
Yes, the distillery grounds, farm setting, and unique pot stills offer many picturesque opportunities for photos.
🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining
While not a full-service restaurant, Preservation Distillery sometimes offers light fare or food pairings, especially during special events or with certain tasting experiences. It's best to check their current offerings.
Bardstown has a vibrant food scene with many excellent restaurants, from casual eateries to fine dining. You'll find options for steak, Southern cuisine, and more, perfect for before or after your distillery visit.
Generally, outside food is not permitted inside the distillery or tasting areas. It's advisable to dine at a local restaurant before or after your visit.
Bourbons from Preservation, especially their rye and wheated expressions, pair well with hearty foods like smoked meats, aged cheeses, and even chocolate.
The focus is on guided tastings and tours. While you'll be tasting their spirits, it's not typically set up as a full-service bar for casual drinks.
📸 📸 Photography
The rustic farm setting, the unique pot stills, the aging barrels, and the scenic grounds all offer fantastic photo opportunities. Capture the essence of a working distillery.
Yes, photography is generally allowed during tours, but always be mindful of your surroundings and any specific instructions from your guide. Avoid flash photography near barrels or sensitive equipment.
While generally permitted, it's always good practice to ask your guide if there are any areas where photography is restricted for safety or operational reasons.
Focus on the details: the copper stills, the grain, the aging barrels, and the expressions of the people enjoying their tasting. Capture the farm-to-bottle journey.
Drone usage is typically restricted at distilleries for safety and operational reasons. It's best to check Preservation Distillery's specific policy before attempting to fly a drone.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
Consider booking a tour during a time when the farm is active or when there are interesting sights for younger eyes. Bringing snacks or planning a meal at a family-friendly restaurant in Bardstown afterward can round out the experience. The knowledgeable guides are generally good at making tours engaging for all ages, though the focus will naturally be on the adult aspects of bourbon production.
💰 Budget Travelers
To maximize value, consider visiting on a weekday when tours might be less crowded and more personalized. Focus on the tasting experience that interests you most, and if you plan to purchase bottles, compare prices with other locations. Bardstown itself offers a range of dining options, from affordable local diners to more upscale establishments, allowing you to manage food costs.
🥃 Bourbon Enthusiasts
Engaging with knowledgeable staff like Marci and Kyle provides deep insights into the nuances of distillation and blending. The intimate setting allows for detailed discussions and a more profound understanding of the craft. Don't miss the chance to try their sweet mash bourbons and locally grown rye, which are frequently praised.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
The Art of Pot Distillation at Preservation
This dedication to traditional techniques means their bourbons often possess a depth and expressiveness that appeals to discerning whiskey enthusiasts. Visitors can witness these iconic pot stills in action during tours, gaining a deeper appreciation for the craft involved. The intimate nature of pot distillation also aligns with Preservation's philosophy of producing limited, high-quality batches rather than mass-produced spirits.
The result is a bourbon that truly tastes of its origin, with nuanced notes that can range from fruity and floral to rich and spicy, depending on the mash bill and aging process. This focus on quality over quantity is a hallmark of Preservation Distillery and a key reason for its growing reputation among bourbon aficionados.
Farm-to-Bottle: The Preservation Difference
This integration of farming and distilling allows for a level of quality control and ingredient transparency that is rare in the industry. Visitors can often feel this connection during their visit, experiencing the rustic charm of the farm alongside the sophisticated process of distillation. It’s this holistic approach that sets Preservation apart, offering a more authentic and grounded bourbon experience.
The local grains, particularly their rye, are frequently highlighted as contributing to the distinct flavor profiles of their bourbons and rye whiskeys. This commitment to local sourcing not only supports the agricultural community but also imbues their spirits with a unique regional identity.
The People Behind the Pour
Marci, in particular, is often noted for her deep connection to bourbon history, having ties to the Van Winkle family. This personal touch transforms a standard distillery tour into an engaging and memorable encounter. The team's generosity with their knowledge, especially when discussing the technical aspects of blending and distillation, makes the experience incredibly enriching.
Meeting people like Kyle Loyd, who brings experience from distilleries like Michter's, further highlights the caliber of expertise present at Preservation. This human element, combined with the quality of the spirits, creates a welcoming and authentic atmosphere that keeps visitors coming back.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit