Kentucky Bourbon Trail sees 2.7m visitors
Whiskey lovers flocked to Kentucky in droves in 2024, setting record numbers for the state’s famed Bourbon Trail.
The Kentucky Bourbon Trail received 2.7 million visitors in 2024, up from 2.5 million in 2023. This marks the third consecutive year the Bourbon Trail has received more than 2 million visitors, with people flocking from all 50 states, and more than 20 countries across six continents.
“The combination of American history, picturesque scenery and legendary Kentucky hospitality continues to attract people from all over the world to get a deeper look into what makes our Bourbon family so special,” Eric Gregory, president of the Kentucky Distillers’ Association (KDA), said.
Historically, Trail visitors have come from states within a six hour drive of Kentucky, but that changed last year, as the distilleries saw increased traffic from states like California, Colorado, Florida, Louisiana, New York, and Pennsylvania. According to the KDA, 76% of visitors came from outside of Kentucky.
The KDA created the Bourbon Trail in 1999, with just seven participating distilleries. In 2024, the Trail featured 60 distillers across all corners of Kentucky, and the KDA launched new digital tools to help visitors plan around their individual preferences and interests.
“The Kentucky Bourbon Trail knows no limits in its popularity, and I can’t wait to see where it goes in our next 25 years,” Gregory said. “The possibilities are endless, and we look forward to welcoming millions more to enjoy it – responsibly, of course.”
According to the KDA, Trail visitors typically spent between US$600 and US$1,400 during their trip on dining, entertaining, lodging and transportation, with 62% of visitors making more than US$100,000 per year. More than 20 million people have now visited a Bourbon Trail distillery in the past 25 years.
Newest addition
The Kentucky Bourbon Trail adds new members every year, with Louisville-based Oxmoor Bourbon Co the latest to join. Oxmoor provides a historical Bourbon experience, telling the story of the people who lived and worked on the land.
“Visiting Oxmoor Bourbon Company is a rare and fascinating opportunity for guests to immerse themselves in the history of Bourbon and of Kentucky, while also supporting the preservation and the advancement of both,” Cordell Lawrence, CEO of Eastern Light Distilling and advisor to Oxmoor Bourbon Company, said.
Tours are offered Tuesdays through Saturdays at 10am, 11:30 am, 1:30pm and3 pm.
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