Beyond the Barrel: Walking Bourbon Food Tour with Food Pairings
Uncover the secrets of Kentucky bourbon! Go beyond the barrel to dive into bourbon's storied history - and learn all the stories they won't tell you on a Kentucky Bourbon Trail distillery tour.
Visit award-winning restaurants, secret speakeasies, scenic rooftop bars, and intimate tasting rooms in NuLu. Trace the origins of bourbon whiskey from its roots in the Appalachian foothills to today's thriving bourbon scene, gaining a profound understanding of its cultural importance in Louisville, Kentucky and beyond.
Unlock bourbon's surprising versatility and depth of flavor through paired bites, pours, and cocktails, and land a few coveted tables at some of the most hard-to-book restaurants in town, including Nami by local celebrity Chef Edward Lee.
Perfect for both bourbon newcomers and seasoned enthusiasts, this guided walking tour offers an experience that you won't find at any bourbon distillery. Reserve your spot early to experience the world's only walking food & bourbon tour!
Options
Premium Bourbon Upgrade
Premium Bourbon Pours: Elevate your experience with 4 rare, top-shelf bourbon pours served throughout your tour.
What's included in Beyond the Barrel: Walking Bourbon Food Tour with Food Pairings
(Subject to Option Inclusions)Itinerary
Explore Louisville's trendiest neighborhood by night, venturing into hidden speakeasies, renowned restaurants, and rooftop cocktail bars. Taste bourbon and sip bourbon cocktails meticulously paired with surprising bites that will explore bourbon's versatility and nuance.
Taste Fine Wines & BourbonsPass-by Only
Begin the tour at a local bottle shop for a guided bourbon tasting and cheese plate. You'll also have the opportunity to shop for rare and premium bottles.
Discover a secret speakeasy and the story of its rebellious bootlegger namesake. Hear a few highlights from Louisville's Prohibition past over cocktails - including a modern take on the classic Old Fashioned - & a selection of small bites.
Inclusions
- The unfiltered history of bourbon in Kentucky that they don't tell you on bourbon distillery tours
- Opportunity to purchase rare, premium, and hard-to-find bourbon at a local bottle shop
- Small group for a more personalized experience
- Delicious & surprising paired bites designed to unlock bourbon's depth, comprising a full dinner
- Bourbon tasting and craft cocktails that showcase bourbon’s versatility
- Upgrade available to add 3 rare and premium bourbon tastings to your tour, plus a take-home gift
- Gratuities
- Transportation
- Distillery visit
- Wheelchair accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- This tour is 21+ and infants are NOT allowed per Kentucky law.
- Mocktail options available for non-drinkers, please message us to let us know.
- Please note that the itinerary and menu is subject to change, based on the locations' availability, weather, and other circumstances.
- Suitable for all fitness levels, but please note that this tour covers roughly 1 mile of walking.
- Tours run in rain, shine, or snow unless weather becomes severe or constitutes a dangerous situation.
- This tour can accommodate vegetarian, gluten-free and dairy-free options. Please notify us in advance at least 24h before the tour start time if you have any dietary restrictions.
Meet
Pickup and Dropoff
You will make your own way to the meeting points
Meeting Points
- Meet us outside in front of the giant Bob Dylan mural at The Last Refuge. Please plan to arrive 15 minutes before your tour begins. There are not many lots or garages in this area, but street parking is typically easy to find (paid meters are free after 6PM).
End Points
- Our tour leaves you at a phenomenal rooftop bar (a great place to continue your evening if you wish) and a short walk away from where we begin.
