If you're visiting for the Kentucky Derby and find yourself with a few unscheduled hours, skip the lobby and explore something Louisville does exceptionally well: bourbon. Within city limits — particularly downtown and NuLu — you'll find working distilleries offering immersive tastings, behind-the-scenes tours, and the kind of atmosphere that gives you a proper sense of place.
These aren’t whiskey museums — they’re part of the living bourbon tradition, close enough that you’ll be back in time for your dinner reservation.
Best Bourbon Distilleries in Louisville for Derby Week Visitors
Old Forester Distillery — Whiskey Row
If you're walking down Main Street, you’re already close. Old Forester is one of the only bourbon distilleries in Louisville still making and bottling whiskey in its original location. The tour is a classic — fermentation, distillation, a glimpse of barrel-making — and ends with a well-curated tasting.
Why visit: Urban location, historical production site, full tour experience
Tip: Book ahead — this one fills fast during Derby Week
🔗 oldforester.com
Angel’s Envy Distillery — Downtown Louisville
Angel’s Envy sits near the waterfront in a modern, glass-fronted building that contrasts beautifully with its warm, complex bourbon — aged in port wine barrels. The distillery tour is sleek, informative, and finished with a generous pour.
Why visit: Contemporary space, port-barrel finished bourbon, convenient location
Best for: Small groups, afternoon visits
🔗 angelsenvy.com
Rabbit Hole Distillery — NuLu District
A modern standout on the urban bourbon trail, Rabbit Hole is known as much for its design as for its spirits. The tour is polished but not dull, and the upstairs cocktail bar has one of the best vantage points in the city.
Why visit: Architecture, modern bourbon profile, stylish cocktail bar
Don’t miss: The Dali cocktail
🔗 rabbitholedistillery.com
Kentucky Peerless Distilling Co. — Downtown
If you want something with grit and authenticity, Peerless is the one. Small-batch bourbon and rye, no-nonsense surroundings, and staff who actually work the product. The tasting is intimate and usually excellent.
Why visit: Hands-on feel, small-batch focus, revived pre-Prohibition label
Pro tip: Don’t skip the rye
🔗 kentuckypeerless.com
Planning Your Distillery Visit During Derby Week
How much time do you need?
Most Louisville bourbon distillery tours last about an hour. Add 30 minutes for tastings and browsing — or longer if you plan to enjoy a cocktail bar afterward.
Should you book in advance?
Yes. Derby Week crowds can be unpredictable. Pre-book if you have your eye on a specific experience.
What to wear?
These are functioning distilleries, but you won’t be walking through mud. Smart casual works — you may see others in suits coming from lunch.
Final Thought: Take the Detour
Between the social commitments and the main event at Churchill Downs, a distillery visit is a pause worth taking. It gives you a taste of what makes Louisville special — and if you walk away with a bottle under your arm, so much the better.
