With Old Fashioned Month happening this November, there's no better place to celebrate in than the birthplace of the iconic cocktail and the heart of bourbon country, Louisville, Kentucky. In 2015, Louisville proudly embraced its spirited legacy when the city's mayor declared the Old Fashioned “the city's official cocktail.” Today, the city continues to honour that heritage with unmatched enthusiasm and creativity surrounding its main ingredient, bourbon. 

Known as a pilgrimage site for bourbon enthusiasts and an inviting gateway for newcomers to the spirit, Louisville is home to more than a dozen distilleries and an ever-growing number of award-winning whisky bars, five of which were named among the 'Best Whisky Bars in the World' by InsideHook. 

The state of Kentucky is responsible for 95% of the world's bourbon production  and in Louisville, bourbon doesn't stop with what's in your glass. It's a culture, a craft, a fabric of life. From bourbon-flavoured ice cream and curries to infused pizzas and oysters, local chefs continuously find innovative ways to incorporate the spirit into their dishes. Bourbon's signature notes of vanilla, oak and smoke appear in everything from sauces and spices to desserts.  

Unique Bourbon Experiences in Louisville 

• The Urban Bourbon Trail®: A day in Kentucky's Bourbon Country isn't complete without exploring Louisville's Urban Bourbon Trail®. This curated collection of bars and restaurants was designed to complement distillery tours, offering some of the city's largest bourbon collections, expert staff, and bourbon-infused cuisine at many stops. 

• Frazier History Museum: As the official starting point of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail®, the Frazier History Museum is a must-visit. Guests can explore exhibits like The Spirit of Kentucky, which delves into bourbon's rich history. The museum also offers a Craft Your Own Cocktail Experience—a 45-minute class and tasting where guests learn to make Louisville's official cocktail, the Old Fashioned. 

• Evan Williams Bourbon Experience: Located on historic Whiskey Row, this artisanal distillery is named after Kentucky's first licensed distiller. Opened in 2013, it was the first bourbon distillery to return to Louisville since Prohibition. Visitors are immersed in over 200 years of bourbon history while sampling a range of Evan Williams expressions. 

• Pursuit Spirits Visitor Experience: Opened earlier this year, this new Main Street destination is led by the creators of the Bourbon Pursuit podcast. Pursuit Spirits doesn't follow the “traditional distillery” playbook. Here, guests step into the role of whiskey explorer, going behind the scenes for exclusive barrel picks, bottling straight from the source, and hands-on deep dives into Louisville's bourbon roots. 

• Green River Distilling Co.: Newly opened this summer, this Owensboro-based distillery is bringing its historic label to the heart of Louisville. The space features a horseshoe-shaped tasting bar, retail shop, live music stage, and a speakeasy hosting educational events and private tastings. 

• The Last Refuge: Located in a beautifully restored historic church in Louisville's NuLu district, this whiskey bar and restaurant offers an eclectic menu paired with an impressive bourbon selection. Perfect for a speakeasy-style evening. 

• Oxmoor Farm's Bourbon Tours: Home to five generations of the Bullitt family, this historic farm now offers intimate bourbon tastings in an idyllic countryside setting. 

In between drinks be sure to snap a selfie at some of the Bourbon-centric art around the city, including the Barrel sculpture at 4th and Main Streets; a Wall Street of Whiskey mural at 3rd and Jefferson streets; or the Tom Bullock mural located at Sway restaurant at the Hyatt Regency Louisville, which pays tribute to one of the city's legendary pre-Prohibition bartenders. 

Bourbon-Themed Accommodations 

• Hotel Bourré Bonne: Opened earlier this year, just one block from Whiskey Row, this Curio by Hilton collection hotel features a rooftop pool and an in-house restaurant, Bourré Bonne Steakhouse.
• Hotel Distil, Autograph Collection: Built into the restored 1860s façade once home to J.T.S. Brown & Sons, this luxury hotel blends history with elegance. Don't miss the nightly toast to the repeal of Prohibition, a signature experience that sets the standard for Louisville hospitality.
• Louisville Bourbon Inn: Located in the historic Old Louisville neighbourhood, this beautifully restored Victorian mansion blends traditional Southern charm with modern comfort and was named one of the best Bed & Breakfast in the world by TripAdvisor. Themed décor, bourbon-infused breakfasts and desserts, and an on-site bar create a fully immersive bourbon experience.

Upcoming Bourbon Events in Louisville: 

• Bourbon & Belonging (October 3–5, 2025) A groundbreaking 3-day festival celebrating the intersection of bourbon culture and LGBTQ+ inclusivity. As the first event of its kind in the U.S., Bourbon & Belonging spans four Kentucky cities with Louisville serving as the main hub. The festival features tastings, bourbon-inspired culinary experiences, and cultural programming that highlight both Kentucky's bourbon heritage and the LGBTQ+ community.  

•  Urban Bourbon Half Marathon (October 18, 2025): Lace up for one of Louisville's signature fall races. After finishing downtown, participants are invited to the Bourbon Bash at Fourth Street Live featuring live music, food, and bourbon tastings from Kentucky Bourbon Trail® distilleries.  

• Bourbon Classic (February 25–28, 2026): One of Louisville's most beloved bourbon events returns with style. The Bourbon Classic is a multi-day celebration of bourbon, culinary artistry, and cocktail craftsmanship, held in the heart of downtown Louisville. Guests will enjoy tastings, chef collaborations, cocktail competitions, and more. 

Plan your bourbon adventure at GoToLouisville.com. 

Bourbon City Comes To London During London Cocktail Week  

This October, Louisville Tourism is bringing the spirit of Kentucky to the heart of London as part of London Cocktail Week in partnership with Angel's Envy, Woodford Reserve, Elijah Craig, and Rabbit Hole. Running from 9–19 October 2025, the world's original cocktail festival, launched in 2010, is the ultimate celebration of cocktail culture and a chance to explore both London's vibrant bar scene and the destinations that inspire the world's finest drinks. 

As part of the festivities, Louisville Tourism will host a series of standout events, including a Louisville takeover at Amazing Grace, a stunning bar set in a former church in London Bridge; a Bourbon & Bubbles High Tea with Angel's Envy at Fitz's Bar; and an exclusive pop-up experience at Sixty Sixty Sounds, a renowned guitar store in Soho. 

For more information on Louisville Tourism's London Cocktail Week activivations visit: www.bourbon.city.co.uk