As a Kentucky native and bourbon fan, I love the bourbon distilled in the state. of The best bourbon ever. Always will be. End of story.
Am I biased? Definitely. But there’s good reason. Over 95% of the world’s bourbon whiskey is produced in Kentucky. While distilleries are popping up in other states, it’s the Kentucky Bourbon Trail that’s on every bucket list. If you want the best bourbon experience, that’s where you go. That’s it.
The aforementioned trail started with seven distilleries in 1999, eventually growing to 18. The emergence of smaller distilleries across the state led to the creation of the Kentucky Bourbon Craft Tours, which capped tours at 28. This summer, the two attractions merged to become one Kentucky Bourbon Trail, visiting 46 distilleries.
The Kentucky Distillers Association, the bourbon regulator, has shifted the focus of tourists on the trail from rushing to see the sights. all A visit to a distillery allows you to take your time, savor every moment and explore several possibilities. It is recommended to sample, compare and enjoy several distilleries at once. You can also visit one region at a time.
In 2018, Northern Kentucky rose to the occasion in style, creating the B-Line (short for “Bourbon Line”), a boundary formed in the region by the Ohio River, which first brought bourbon to the country. Headquartered in Covington, the B-Line currently features the following:
Kentucky has 7 bourbon distilleries.
There are nine bourbon-focused bars, each of which must stock at least 100 different types of bourbon.
There are 25 stops throughout Covington, Newport, Independence, Burlington, Sparta, Augusta and Maysville.
B-Line has continued to grow since its inception, especially in recent years.
“In 2023 alone, we’ve added seven new stops that combine distilleries, bars and restaurants,” says Julie Kirkpatrick, president and CEO of meetNKY, Northern Kentucky’s tourism and convention services bureau. “This expansion reflects a booming bourbon industry that has more than doubled in size since 2008, reaching $9 billion last year. Northern Kentucky’s seven B-Line distilleries have played a big role in contributing to these numbers.”
At all seven bourbon distilleries, you can learn about how bourbon is made, the history of the distillery, and how to make cocktails. Each distillery has a gift shop with bourbon label souvenirs and tastings so you can develop your “nose” and taste buds to choose your favorites.
Below is some information to whet your appetite for heading north and quenching your thirst.
Augusta Distillery
Augusta
The Ohio River helped make Kentucky Bourbon popular and remains an iconic part of this charming town, which is home to many famous landmarks. River Proof Series Bourbon is a fun, bottle-your-own experience.
Boone County Distilling Company
Independence
This whiskey maker’s roots date back to 1833, when Petersburg, Kentucky, was home to the largest distillery in the U.S. Take a tour and learn why the company honors its history by declaring that bourbon is made by ghosts.
Neely Family Distillery
Sparta
Enjoy a history-steeped experience at the family-owned Neely Family Distillery in Sparta. For nine generations, the Neely family had been making moonshine in the mountains of Kentucky, until 10th generation member Lois Neely decided to pay taxes to the government and open a distillery. “This state has as much illegal history as the Beams had legally,” Lois says in a fun video on the website. Using his ancestors’ recipes, he now makes bourbon, whiskey and moonshine. Moonshine comes in a variety of flavors, including chocolate truffle.
New Riff Distillation –Newport
With the motto “We breathe new life into old traditions,” the company’s products are bottled in bond without chill filtration, while the mash bill (non-GMO grains, 65% corn, 30% rye, 5% malted barley) breathes new life into Kentucky’s most hallowed whiskey traditions. The rooftop terrace hosts pop-up events.
Old Pogue Distillery – Maysville
The Pogue name dates back to the dawn of bourbon around 1876, when the first family-owned distillery was built along the Ohio River, likely nearby where the bourbon industry was born. Today, Old Pogue Distillery, located on the historic site of the original distillery, is run by the 5th and 6th generation of the Pogue family and produces award-winning bourbon and rye whiskey.
The Old Pogue Experience at the Kentucky Gateway Museum – Maysville
Exhibits transport you back in time to the heyday of bourbon making in the region, and you can taste bourbon in the tasting room and purchase it by the glass or bottle.
Pensive Distilling Co. – Newport
Founded in 2001, this distillery and kitchen was home to a speakeasy during Prohibition. The décor is totally retro, and entry requires a password. Pensive’s bourbons range from 80 proof to cask strength and a cognac finish. The “Strike the Gold” burger is a must-try. Garden and Gun and Our speakeasy lounge, outdoor patio, or the entire building are perfect for corporate events.
Second Sight Spirits – Ludlow
Second Sight opened a spiced rum distillery on the Ohio River in 2015 and has since produced a fantastic Kentucky-made bourbon, Oak Eye, which is technically the first bourbon released in Northern Kentucky since Prohibition. The distillery hosts live music concerts and an interesting tour includes a look at their unique, homemade pot stills that tell your fortune.
The great thing about the B-Line is that you don’t have to be a bourbon drinker to enjoy it – there’s so much to see, do and taste. Here are just a few highlights:
Coppin’s Restaurant, located in the award-winning Hotel Covington, was one of the first stops along the B Line along the Cincinnati River, and now has sister bar Knowledge open, and next door is the new 53-suite North by Hotel Covington, perfect for renting for social events.
If you’re in Covington, stop by Libby’s Southern Comfort, which serves up Southern favorites like Scratch: Hand-Crafted Desserts fried chicken, fried green tomatoes, and oatmeal cream pie. Be sure to try Libby’s specialty, the Cheerwine Bourbon Slush.
Smoke Justice is a local sports bar and eatery specializing in smoked meats, bourbon and craft beer. The establishment is named after Walter “Smoke” Justice, the legendary opening day pitcher for the 1913 Covington Blue Sox.
A local favorite and winner of multiple “Best in Cincinnati” awards, Newport-based Pompilios has been serving traditional Italian cuisine for over 90 years.Rain Man was filmed here. Enjoy your favorite bourbon in our impressive bar.
“We’re Northern Southern and ‘and bourbon,'” Kirkpatrick says. “Bengals and bourbon, art and bourbon, outdoor adventure and bourbon…”
To find your own “…and bourbon,” head to Northern Kentucky and its B-Line. For more information, visit TheBLine.com.
When you arrive, be sure to pick up your Line Guide (Passport) at the B-Line stop or download the online version to your phone. Once you’ve checked in at two distilleries, two bars, and two restaurants, submit your completed Passport and the B-Line staff will send you a free gift. As if sampling some great Northern Kentucky bourbon wasn’t gift enough!