Seven Northern Kentucky Craft Distilleries Added to Official Kentucky Bourbon Trail

Seven Northern Kentucky craft bourbon distilleries are now officially a part of the illustrious Kentucky Bourbon Trail.

Last week, the Kentucky Distillers’ Association (KDA) announced that, in honor of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail's 25th anniversary, it would add the 28 members of its ancillary Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour to the main trail to form one statewide bourbon experience.

“All Kentucky distilleries big and small have invested hundreds of millions of dollars into their tourism experiences, resulting in record-breaking economic development, jobs, tax dollars, restaurants, hotels and more that build off of bourbon’s popularity,” KDA president Eric Gregory said in a press release. “It’s a lucrative path for bourbon to give back to local communities.”

The additions include New Riff Distilling and Pensive Distilling Co. in Newport, Second Sight Spirits in Ludlow, Boone County Distilling Company in Independence, Augusta Distillery in Augusta, Old Pogue Distillery in Maysville and Neely Family Distillery in Sparta. According to Northern Kentucky’s tourism bureau, meetNKY, and The B-Line, a collection of Northern Kentucky bourbon distilleries and bourbon-forward bars and restaurants, the Kentucky Bourbon Trail saw about 2.5 million visitors in 2023 alone, making the designation a boon to local craft distilleries.

“The Kentucky Bourbon Trail has provided millions of visitors with their first sip of our world-famous hospitality and given them a gateway to explore the rich heritage of our commonwealth,” Julie Kirkpatrick, president and CEO of meetNKY, said in a release. “Northern Kentucky is proud to serve as one of the unique access points to the Kentucky Bourbon experience, offering visitors our unique blend of historic charm and modern attractions that sets the stage for an unforgettable journey.”

Also in honor of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail’s 25th anniversary, the experience is also getting a new look that will convey a sense of discovery, adventure and attainable luxury, says the KDA, as well as a digital experience that will help guests and explore all the trail’s offerings.