Many new bourbon destinations are coming to Kentucky this year. So many new distilleries and tasting experiences are coming this year that it is fantastic. Here are some locations I am looking forward to visiting:

The New Home of Jefferson’s Bourbon

Trey Zoeller is building a new Jefferson’s Bourbon facility in Lebanon, Kentucky, directly across the street from Limestone Branch Distillery—the home of Yellowstone Bourbon and Minor Case Rye. Any facility under Mr. Zoeller’s oversight is bound to be a must-visit destination.

Jefferson’s is based at the Kentucky Artisan Distillery, but this move will provide a much larger footprint. The new facility is set to open in November 2025.

Green River Distillery Expansion

If you haven’t ventured to Owensboro to visit the historic Green River Distillery, you’ll soon have another opportunity. Green River is opening a new tasting room in Louisville in 2025.

I can’t wait to see their horseshoe-shaped bar, a nod to the horseshoes featured on their bottles. Plans also include an entertainment space and a separate speakeasy-style bar. If you have the chance, I highly recommend visiting their Owensboro distillery.

RD1 Spirits Relocation

RD1 Spirits is moving from its current space in Lexington’s Distillery District to a more prominent location in the Commons. This new R&D distillery will offer tours, entertainment, and even a “bottle-your-own-bourbon” experience.

Located just a few miles from their previous site, this will be a can’t-miss destination. If you haven’t yet sampled RD1’s innovative products, now is the time.

Neat in Bardstown

One of my favorite bars in Louisville is Neat Bourbon Bar and Bottle Shop. Not only can you purchase rare and hard-to-find bourbons, but you can also sample many of them by the pour. This is where I sampled Wild Turkey 12-Year-Old (made for the Asian market) and some pre-fire Heaven Hill bourbon.

Now, Neat is expanding to Bardstown. The new location—conveniently situated near downtown—will feature bar space and an event hall. Once open, it will be a must-visit destination in Bardstown.

Heaven’s Door Distillery

What’s not to love about this upcoming project? Heaven’s Door Distillery will sit on 160 acres in Pleasureville, Kentucky, featuring two stillhouses, a visitor center, and a Moravian-style barn. They also have an 18th-century grist mill on the property. Pleasureville is located mid-way between Lexington and Louisville.

Even more intriguing, the property was once owned by Squire Boone, brother of Daniel Boone. Co-created by Bob Dylan in 2018, the Heaven’s Door brand reflects his artistic vision and talent. This distillery can potentially be one of the most picturesque new additions to Kentucky’s bourbon scene.

I will further update this list in a future post. Each one of these new bourbon destinations coming to Kentucky is sure to enhance and expand the bourbon experience. If you have any specific questions about these locations, please comment.