Kentucky: Bourbon Discovery
Take a trip through whiskey wonderland. Sip the region’s finest along Kentucky's Bourbon Trail, at historic distilleries, swank restaurants and at the site of the iconic Kentucky Derby. This is a journey beyond the cocktail to the source of American spirit.
Whiskey Wonderland
Follow Kentucky’s Bourbon Trail into the heart of Americana
May 5 - 9, 2021
Spots are limited—and this exclusive departure will sell out!
5 Days, 4 Nights
Best of Louisville, Churchill Downs, Bardtown, Lexington
No matter how much you love bourbon, your taste for America’s greatest spirit only grows as the smoky spirit washes over your palette here, in Kentucky. This road-trip adventure into bourbon’s birthplace—from Louisville to Bardstown to Lexington—means enjoying the Bluegrass State’s best food and drink, in an unforgettable setting of brick streets, winding roads, rolling mountains and horse farms. Along the way, we meet craft distillers and coopers who char oak barrels in historic rickhouses. There’s plenty of bourbon to taste, of course—we’ll also bet on horses at Churchill Downs, and eat in honky tonks and riverside distilleries-turned-restaurants, where southern staples are deliciously elevated. Then it’s right back to more of the very best bourbon—or as George Bernard Shaw called it, “liquid sunshine.”
Every day of this bluegrass immersion is filled with exclusive, VIP access into the heart of America’s best whiskeys. If you love eating and drinking really well, and experiencing the artistry and tradition behind your favorite cocktails, this trip is for you. We’ll bond with like-minded travelers and whiskey experts, and leave with a richer understanding of Americana. See you in Kentucky!
Trip Highlights
History & Heritage
Taste the finest bourbons and meet local distillers at hand-picked distilleries, some with over two centuries of history.
Local Flavor
Taste the best of everything at industrial-chic eateries, neighborhood kitchens run by celebrity chefs, at rollickin' honky tonks.
Whiskey Expertise
We travel with Josh Wilford, a mixologist from Portland’s iconic Multnomah Whiskey Library, introducing us to craft distillers and coopers who char oak barrels in historic rickhouses.
Discover the Bourbon Trail
“Too much of anything is bad, but too much good whiskey is barely enough.” – Mark Twain
“Bourbon is more American than apple pie.” – Jeff Minnick, Author
We believe the world has a lot to offer beyond our building’s walls. Battery Travel is a collection of expertly curated experiences in the world’s most extraordinary destinations. Each experience is designed to change how you see the world and to create lasting connections within our community and beyond.
A road trip into bourbon’s birthplace—from Louisville to Bardstown and Lexington—with VIP access at craft distillers, the best local foods at chic restaurants, and a horse race at Churchill Downs, the site of the Kentucky Derby!
Day 1
Welcome to Louisville! (And that’s pronounced LOU-uh-vull.) We’ll meet up at our hotel on historic Whiskey Row, then saunter by 18th-century cast iron-facade buildings brimming with distilleries and tasting rooms to sample a few favorites.
Afterwards, appetites raised, we venture into a historic neighborhood street of Old Louisville for an intimate welcome dinner at 610 Magnolia. Created by chef Edward Lee—a James Beard finalist who you’ve likely seen on Master Chef and Iron Chef—610 Magnolia’s specialty is Asian-inspired Southern cooking, delivered in multiple courses paired with local bourbons. This is epic eating. And we’ll savor it all, while toasting our adventure to come!
Day 2
After perking up your taste buds with a fresh breakfast, we head onto the Bourbon Trail starting with a behind-the-scenes look at the Brown-Forman Cooperage, where oak barrels get hand-crafted then charred into perfect bourbon-aging vessels. Afterwards, we start our day’s sips at family-run Peerless, which first opened in 1889.
With the smoky taste of their best bourbon still tingling our tongues, we move on to a local Southern-style lunch done right. Afterward, we’ll see it’s not all whiskey around here. At Copper & Kings, a modern brandy distillery in Louisville’s Butchertown, we sample some craft cocktails as a perfect chaser to lunch. We finish the day at another Louisivlle icon, Churchill Downs—with dinner and drinks while betting on horses at the fabled home of the Kentucky Derby. There will be plenty of cheers, even if your horse finishes last.
Day 3
Today we move on from Louisville, and roll past the bluegrass meadows, horse farms and mountains. Ahead is the quaint historic Bardstown, dubbed the Bourbon Capital, where we stop at its most famous resident, Maker’s Mark. We’ll walk through the stages of its whiskey, and dip one of their legendary bottles in red wax, then finish with a tasting and specially prepared lunch.
Our next base is Lexington, home to Kentucky University (and more bourbon, don’t worry), where we’ll have time to explore its historic downtown, which is where we’re based. Next, we have a private tasting at the city’s favorite craft spirit supplier, Justin’s House of Bourbon, noted for its robust collection of rare, craft varieties not found elsewhere. We’ll marvel at their remarkable, sprawling collection and cheers with a smoky Old Fashioned.
Day 4
It’s our last full day together, but it’s a strong dose. We start with an insider’s look at a rural distiller in the spring-fed mountains with over 200 years of experience. Visiting Woodford Distillery is like traveling back in time, and we go behind the scenes on a VIP tour. We’ll explore the 500-foot “barrel run” and lush grounds, finishing with a tasting of its cedar-tinged bourbons and a hearty lunch. Afterwards, we’ll rinse out palates with cold Kentucky Ale from Lexington Brewing and Distillery back in town.
Rest up for our farewell dinner at a historic distillery on the Elkhorn River, refashioned as Middle Fork, one of Lexington’s most accomplished kitchens. It’s an industrial-chic space with a sprawling open kitchen and wood-fired grill. We’ll settle in on the riverside patio and tuck in to delicious Japanese braised pork, Spanish sausage, French duck confit. We’re in no rush. We’ll eat, Kentucky-style: slow, with plenty of laughter and drinks, as we recount our days together.
Day 5
Today we perk ourselves up with a big breakfast and plenty of coffee, then pack up from our bourbon roadtrip. Our time together may be over, but we leave with new bonds made with our fellow adventurers and a deeper, more intimate understanding of the most American of spirts. Till next time, y’all!
Where We Sleep
A luxurious boutique hotel on Louisville’s Whiskey Row and an art-filled hotel housed in a 19th-century former bank in downtown Lexington. You’ll love these places.
Hotel Distil
LouisvilleThe perfect Louisville set-up, this new luxury hotel ushers in its location—a historic distillery building on the legendary Whiskey Row—indoors. Stepping into the brand-new Distil with its ground floor steakhouse and upstairs whiskey bar that looks out of a movie. Each night staff lead a toast to the end of Prohibition in 1933 at 7:33pm—that’s 19:33 military time—and the stunning rooms are decked with all modern amenities.
21c
LexingtonThis one-of-a-kind art hotel in downtown Lexington mixes hospitality and cutting-edge art in the glorious, historic Fayette National Bank Building. After unpacking in your modern, high-ceiling room, look over the center’s building through the historic, towering windows, then pop down to browse the hotel’s 7000-square-foot art museum with rotating exhibits, or stop for a drink or bite to eat at its Lockbox restaurant.
Book Kentucky: Bourbon Discovery
Questions?
That’s OK, we have answers. Read our FAQs below or call +1 (415) 942 - 0785 to ask us any questions you have about traveling with The Battery. We're here 8am-5pm weekdays, 9am-1pm Saturday Pacific.
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What does the price include?
Four nights at unique four- and five-star accommodations; private travel for all day trips and excursions; departure airport transfer; private tours with local guides and cultural experts; exclusive VIP access and tastings; guided activities, adventures and expeditions; entrance fees; daily breakfasts, most lunches and dinners; local beverages with meals.
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What does the price not include?
Roundtrip airfare to and from the trip start; travel insurance; transportation to the trip’s starting point; activities not included in the trip itinerary; hotel incidentals including room service, laundry service and hotel bar tabs; food and beverages not included in itinerary; gratuity for tour leader.
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Where does the trip start and end?
Our adventure begins at the Distil Hotel in Louisville, Kentucky. The closest airport is the Louisville International Airport (SDF). This trip starts with a self guided tour, and a group dinner beginning at 7pm. Our adventure ends in Louisville, Kentucky. The closest airport is the Louisville International Airport (SDF). Your flight home should be scheduled to depart at 2pm or later from SDF.
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Who is going on this trip?
Our adventures typically have between 10 and 20 guests, and our Modern Adventure Team. Our experiences are fun and inclusive and you can expect to be joined by a diverse group in terms of age, background and interests—including solo travelers, couples and friends traveling together. This adventure is for travelers age 21 and above.
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Who is leading this trip?
This trip is led by an expert Modern Adventure trip leader. They're an experienced travel guide, a representative of Modern Adventure and your go-to person for questions or concerns on the trip. We’ll be joined throughout our adventure by local, expert guides who are deeply knowledgeable with respect to local cultures, customs and history and are passionate about sharing that with us.
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What travel documents are needed?
US citizens and residents should check the TSA’s website for requirements and acceptable ID for domestic air travel. Some State issued IDs may no longer meet TSA standards. If you are a non-US Citizen traveling to Kentucky, visit the US Consulate or Embassy for requirements and information about passports & visas.
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Do I need to pay a solo traveler supplement?
For solo travelers, there is a $1,000 single-supplement fee—paid at the time of booking to secure a private room. If you would like us to pair you with a roommate, that option may be available upon checkout—these spots are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.
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What is the cancelation policy?
You may cancel on or before January 5, 2021 and receive a full refund minus a $500 per-person service fee. If you cancel on or after January 6, 2021 there is a 50% cancellation fee; on or after March 6, 2021 there is a 100% cancellation fee. We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance as we are not able to make exceptions to this policy in cases of family/medical emergency or of the trip being canceled (see our Terms and Conditions for full details). Please note that for guests who are transferring trips or traveling on rescheduled trip dates, your cancelation terms will vary from the above, and are generally non-refundable. Please refer to your correspondence from our Customer Experience team for specific details.
