Being that we’ve been in Louisville for a while now, we thought it would be a good opportunity for us to introduce readers to a couple of other great businesses in town, and because were in Kentucky- it’s only right that we chose to showcase our love for distilleries! That’s right, the Crooked Monkey team has put together a list of the top five local Louisville distilleries with information regarding tours, prices, spirits, and even a couple of fun facts to help you make the perfect choice of which to visit the next time you find yourself in Derby City!
So, what are you waiting for? Check out our list below for Crooked Monkeys suggestions on the top 5 local Louisville distilleries!
Rabbit Hole Distillery began with exactly what the world needs more of- true love stories. After Rabbit Hole’s owner Kaveh Zamanian fell in love with his wife, he ditched his beloved Scotch for her precious bourbon and “fell down a rabbit hole he may not have ever ventured alone.” Together, the two opened Rabbit Hole Distillery in the heart of Nulu- Louisville’s hub for art, food, and culture. Although still a fairly young hot spot to town, Rabbit Hole shows no ignorance in their distilling knowledge- creating some of the most dignified bourbon whiskeys in all of Kentucky. In all, Rabbit Hole distills four different bourbon whiskeys- Heingold Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey,Cavehill Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Boxergrail Kentucky Rye Whiskey, Dareringer Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished in PX Sherry Casks- and a single dry gin.. all of which can be sampled following the distillerys one hour immersive tours. Tour prices range from $18-$23, and can accommodate groups of up to 10 people. Together you will learn everything there is to know about the bourbon industry and how Rabbit Hole Distillery has worked to shake that industry up!
Fun Fact– Looking for a fun place to host your next corporate event or cocktail party? Rabbit Hole’s premier event space “The Overlook” would be the perfect fit! Who wouldn’t love a quick tasting before the annual office holiday party?
Address– 711 East Jefferson Street, Louisville KY 40202
Copper and Kings is an American Brandy, Absinthe, and Gin distillery located in the historic Butchertown neighborhood of Louisville. The one hour tour offers guests a peek into the distillery’s modern, eco friendly facility and concludes with a tasting of any three of Copper and Kings various spirits- Brandy: Butchertown Independent Reserve Casks Brandy, American Brandy made in Kentucky Bourbon Barrels and White Oak Barrels, Immature Brandy, Floodwall American Craft Apple Brandy, and Unaged American Craft Apple Brandy. Gin:American Dry Gin, American Old Tom Gin, The Moons of Jupiter GIn, The Ninth A Symphony in Orange- Distilled Gin finished in orange curacao barrels, and The History of Lovers-Distilled Gin with Rose, Hibiscus, Strawberry, and Honey. Absinthe– Blanche Absinthe Alembic and Barrel Finished Absinthe Alembic- The Copper and Kings American Brandy distillery tours operate on the hour Sunday-Friday, on the half hour on Saturdays, and can accommodate groups of up to 15 people.
The tour will run visitors about $17, but don’t let the fun stop there! When your tour concludes be sure to check out Alexander Bar located on the third floor of the distillery. Known for their world class ambiance, incredible concoctions featuring Copper & Kings spirits, and amazing music! Better yet, set your calendar for the next Mixt&pe Cocktail Event held the last Wednesday of every month. At this monthly event, two of Copper and King’s award winning bartenders choose two recording albums, take two songs from those albums, and concoct cocktails based on those songs. The perfect night out for music lovers and Brandy drinkers alike!
Fun Fact– Copper and Kings is known as one of the most sustainable and eco friendly joints in town. In fact, if you ride your bike to the distillery they will give you a 50% discount on your tour!
Address– 1121 E Washington St, Louisville, KY 40206
This particular tour takes you right back to where it all started for distilleries in Louisville… Whiskey Row. Every 15 minutes on the dot, you are met with the opportunity to tour one of the most historic and beautiful distilleries in all of Kentucky- Old Forester. No matter your previous bourbon knowledge, a trip through Old Forester is sure to leave you even more informed and completely enthralled with the taste of the bluegrass state, so why wouldn’t it land itself a spot on our list of the top 5 local Louisville distilleries? Throughout a tour of Old Forester, you will learn why it was important for Old Forester to be the first bottled bourbon, how they protect the integrity of their recipes still today, and how their unique in-house cooperage works to distill some of the best bourbon whiskey in all of Kentucky. At the conclusion of the tour, guests will be offered a sample of three Old Forester expressions, but will be surprised every time by which they are given! Old Foresters possible spirits include- Old Forester 1870, Old Forester 1897, Old Forester 100 Proof, Old Forester 86 Proof, Old Forester 100 Proof Rye Whiskey, 1910 Old Forester Old Fine Whiskey, Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style Whiskey, Old Foresters President’s Choice Bourbon, Old Forester Statesmans Bourbon, Old Forester Mint Julep, Old Forester Birthday Bourbon, and Old Forester Single Barrel.
Though the tours are available to any and everyone, there are various different tour options that differ in price dependant on VIP level. The basic of tours starts at about $18 where as the more exclusive tours can range anywhere from $65-$100 pending your preference. Have you visited Old Forester before and don’t want to waste the money on a second round of the tour? That’s okay, while your friends have their own Old Forester experience, stop on into George’s Bar where you can sit back with a flight and explore the history of Old Forester whiskey while viewing old photos from when the distillery first began!
Fun Fact- Old Forester offers personalized Spirit bottles and completely custom gifts. On your next visit, stop in to in house engravings and gift packages or simply shop their online retail store for details on how to get your hands on your very own personalized bottle of Old Forester.
Address- 119 West Main Street, Louisville, KY 40202
Angel’s Envy Distillery grew from an idea between a father and a son, and eventually a grandson that ran with their dreams. Today, their small family brand has grown to become Angel’s Envy- a hand crafted small batch whiskey produced by Louisville Distilling Company, a subsidiary of Bacardi Limited. Tours of Angel’s Envy are reservation only and can only accommodate groups of 12 or less, but when you finally get to your tasting, it won’t matter who you’re with- your in whiskey Heaven! An excursion through the operational urban distillery will set you back just $20 and offers visitors a first hand look at the Angels Envy Distillation process. The tour culminates with a tasting of their three famous variation of whiskey- Port Finished Whiskey, Rum Finished Whiskey, and Cask Strength Whiskey- all of which are used in the various weekly cocktail classes offered by the distillery. Check out the Henderson Cocktail Class given every Thursday at 5:30pm and learn to make Angel’s Envy signature cocktail “The Henderson. For just $55 guests are given a tour of the distillery, the cocktail class, appetizers, and are sent home with a parting gift to make their future Henderson ventures just as professional!
Fun fact- Angel’s Envy offers a “Bottle Your Own” Experience where guests are given the opportunity to fill their own bottle of Angel’s Envy straight from the source.
Address- 500 East Main Street Louisville, KY 40202
The Evan Williams Bourbon Experience is another famous member of whiskey row that provides tours on the hour daily. The traditional Evan Williams Bourbon Experience tour offers guests a step back in time, as they experience a guided tour of the Artisanal Distillery where they will both watch and learn the process of making Evan Williams Bourbon. The tour concludes with a tasting of four of Evan Williams premium bourbons-86 Proof Evan William Bourbons- 100 Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, 1783 Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Single Barrel Vintage , Evan Williams Honey, Evan Williams Apple, Evan William Peach, Evan William Cherry, Evan Williams Fire, Evan Williams Egg Nog, Evan Williams Kentucky Cider.
Have you visited a few local Louisville distilleries already but are still interested in an Evan Williams tasting? Check out the Speakeasy Tasting Experience! This one of a kind tasting transports guests back to the 1930’s to celebrate the last days of prohibition in Louisville. Once correctly guessing the secret password and being granted access into the Speakeasy, you will learn all about the prohibition period while being given a tasting of four different Evan Williams spirits. The Speakeasy room can also be rented for standing receptions, rehearsal dinners, and cocktail parties fitting up to 100 people standing and 60 people seated!