Located in the heart of the Bluegrass State, Bardstown has 11 unique distilleries within 16 miles of the court square, offering bourbon experiences to match your taste. Settled in 1790, Bardstown is Kentucky’s second oldest city and welcomes the world to bourbon week.

The historic town of Bardstown, known as the Bourbon Capital of the World, in partnership with the Bourbon Capital Alliance announces the first annual National Bourbon Week, June 11-16, 2024. Taking place across acclaimed distilleries, famed attractions and Bardstown’s thriving downtown, this immersive series of events celebrates the rich heritage and craftsmanship behind America’s native spirit. National Bourbon Week marks the beginning of an annual Bardstown tradition, inviting enthusiasts, connoisseurs and curious newcomers to enjoy tastings and festivities that pay homage to the iconic amber elixir.

The focal point of National Bourbon Week will be the unveiling of the highly anticipated 2024 Bardstown Collection, a rare collaboration between seven distinguished distilleries. With less than 500 bottles available from each distillery, the Collection promises to be an elite affair, marking it as the bourbon event of the year. The participating distilleries of the 2024 Bardstown Collection are: Bardstown Bourbon Company, Heaven Hill Distillery, James B. Beam Distilling Co., Limestone Branch Distillery, Log Still Distillery, Lux Row Distillers and Preservation Distillery + Farm.

Seven distilleries. Seven exclusive bourbons. One collection. With 11 unique distillery experiences within 16 miles, Bardstown stands tall as the Bourbon Capital of The World. Every year, the Kentucky town’s vibrant distilling community joins together to release a one-of-a-kind bourbon series — The Bardstown Collection. The Collection’s grand unveiling, which expands to seven participating distilleries this year, will take place during the first annual National Bourbon Week, a celebration of the rich heritage and craftsmanship behind America’s native spirit.

Distilleries + Release Dates + Tasting Notes

• Preservation Distillery + Farms (June 12, 9 a.m.): Preservation Distillery and Farm is excited to release a cask-strength blend of their own wheated pot distilled Kentucky Bourbon, layered with liquid from some of their most precious vintage Kentucky Bourbon casks.

• Heaven Hill Distillery (June 12, 12 p.m.): Heaven Hill’s 2024 Bardstown Collection release consists of three carefully blended barrels aged between 7 and 16 years. The bourbon is bottled at 105 proof and consists of Heaven Hill’s traditional bourbon mashbill of 78% corn, 10% rye and 12% malted barley. The extra aged nature of the bourbon results in aromas of spice, leather and toasted oak with notes of cinnamon spiced apples, nutmeg and caramel on the palate.

• Lux Row Distillers (June 13, 9 a.m.): Lux Row Distillers’ contribution will feature three single barrels from their wheat recipe (68% corn, 20% wheat, 12% malted barley). Aged six years, these barrels went through an additional toasted finishing process with toasted caramel honey staves for a rich, full-bodied finish.

• Limestone Branch Distillery (June 13, 12 p.m.): With a mash bill that dates back to the 1930s, Limestone Branch’s Bardstown 2024 selection is a six-year-old, 100% pot-distilled wheated bourbon, made with 28% red winter wheat, which produces an exceptionally approachable yet complex whiskey.

• Log Still Distillery (June 13, 3 p.m.): Log Still's 2024 Bardstown Collection release is a 9-year-old Kentucky High-Rye Bourbon that evenly blends aromas of sweet caramel with lingering earthy scents of smoke and oak. On the palate, bourbon lovers will enjoy a burst of full-flavored spices blended with mild sweetness of honey, providing a warm, smooth finish.

• Bardstown Bourbon Company (June 14, 9 a.m.): Blending innovation with classic Kentucky flavor, Bardstown Bourbon Company’s offering to the Collection this year is a layered, complex balance of ripe cherry with toasted oak leads to cinnamon, maple, and spearmint.

• James B. Beam Distilling Co.  (June 14, 12 p.m.): Aged for close to 20 years, James B. Beam Distilling Co.’s Bardstown Collection 2024 selection is the oldest whiskey that the iconic brand has ever released. Delivering intense flavors of oak, vanilla and sweet smoke, it’s sure to be a fan favorite.

 “Limestone Branch is excited to be included in this year’s Bardstown Collection,” said Stephen Beam, Master Distiller of Limestone Branch Distillery, which is the newest addition to the Bardstown Collection. “Our family has been a part of the local distilling community since the 1800s, and we are honored to collaborate with our fellow distillers. Although we have a friendly competition with one another, our strength lies in our support of each other. It has never been so important to keep Kentucky bourbon as the gold standard, and collaborations like this ensure we will continue to lead the way.”

 Throughout National Bourbon Week, attendees can partake in a range of festivities including special distillery events, curated tastings, unique bourbon education opportunities and the 21st Annual Bourbon City Street Concert. This comprehensive series of experiences is crafted to offer bourbon enthusiasts an unparalleled immersion in the Bourbon Capital of the World.

Read our complete coverage of the Bardstown Whiskey Experience in Lake Oconee Living.

WHEN YOU GO

For more information, go to bardstowncollection.com and visitbardstown.com/national-bourbon-week,

Lodging | Log Still Distillery | Homestead, Heritage or The Mansion

Dining | Talbott Tavern and Inn

Distillery Tours | Plan your distillery tours here.