Louisville, Kentucky, is one of America’s most spirited cities. Between the mid 1800s until Prohibition Main Street was home to many distilleries, barrel warehouses and distributors of distilled spirits. Prohibition ended all that and even after it ended in 1933 this once bustling area of distilleries and related businesses did not return to the city’s downtown district. That changed in 2013 when Heaven Hill Distillery opened the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience and the rest as they say is history. Now there are more than 20 operating distilleries or bourbon visitor experiences that dot the downtown map.
Say Hello to ‘The Bourbon City Companion’
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To help support America’s spirits culture Louisville Tourism has introduced a the ‘Bourbon City Companion’, an upmarket, curated guide to help visitors and locals navigate the spirited heart of Bourbon City. The Bourbon City Companion recently debuted at the Louisville Visitor Center during Mint Julep Month® celebration.
The Bourbon City Companion offers an approachable yet comprehensive look at bourbon in Louisville, with a primer, a directory of distilleries and tasting rooms, and a curated mix of experiences—from hands-on blending and culinary pairings to standout cocktail bars and cultural stops. The guide also features classic bourbon cocktail recipes, a roundup of events and festivals, and a refreshed look at the Urban Bourbon Trail®, now presented as an annual, expert-curated list of the city’s top bourbon bars and restaurants.
“Bourbon isn’t just something you taste in Louisville—it’s something you feel in the atmosphere. This guide helps visitors tap into that, from their first sip on Whiskey Row to the places where the story of bourbon really comes to life” said Stacey Yates, Louisville Tourism Chief Marketing Officer.
The Bourbon City Companion guide is available exclusively at the Louisville Visitor Center, located in downtown Louisville for $7.99 or complimentary with a purchase of $25+ in Just Add Bourbon merchandise.
While planning a trip to Bourbon City, guests can download a copy of Louisville Tourism’s annual Visitor Guide to see the city’s top attractions and bourbon distilleries. Visitors also can get additional city attraction, lodging and dining assistance at GoToLouisville.com.
View all Louisville Distilleries.
View all Kentucky Distilleries.
View all US Distilleries.
As one of the oldest official Destination Marketing Organizations (DMO) in the country, Louisville Tourism’s mission is to enhance the city’s economy through tourism. It works to raise awareness of Bourbon City’s brand worldwide to inspire inbound travel that reached 19 million visitors to the Louisville area in 2025. As the third largest industry in Louisville, tourism supports over 70,000 local tourism-related jobs and contributes an estimated $4.4 billion to the economy. Tourism also creates $247M in state and local tax revenue, saving each household in Louisville an average of $800 on its state and local tax bill. From the city’s world-renowned global events like the Kentucky Derby to a vibrant culinary scene and a rich Bourbon cultural heritage, Louisville offers a unique experience for all who visit.
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