Wilderness Trail Distillery — Attraction in Danville

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Modern Craftsmanship with Historic Heart – Wilderness Trail Distillery

I’ve visited Wilderness Trail Distillery twice now, and each time I’ve come away even more impressed. During my second visit, I joined the guided tour – our guide was not only knowledgeable but also an absolute ray of sunshine, whose enthusiasm for the distillery was truly infectious. The tour was informative, entertaining, and left me eager to dive even deeper into the world of bourbon. Although the distillery is relatively young compared to some of the long-established bourbon legends, that’s exactly what makes it so exciting. It radiates a modern yet incredibly charming spirit that instantly pulls you in. What fascinates me most are the founders, Shane Baker and Pat Heist – known in the industry as the “yeast professors.” Their scientific approach, especially to fermentation, truly sets their whiskeys apart. You can feel the passion and expertise in every detail. A standout feature of Wilderness Trail is their exclusive use of sweet mash – a more meticulous and cleaner process than the traditional sour mash, resulting in whiskey with remarkable depth and clarity. Currently, they offer three different whiskeys: a high-rye Kentucky Straight Bourbon, a wheated bourbon, and a rye whiskey. Each one is a testament to true craftsmanship and proof that less can indeed be more when the quality is top-notch. Another highlight is the historic house on the property, where the world-famous song “Happy Birthday to You” was created by sisters Patty and Mildred Hill. This unique blend of history and innovation makes Wilderness Trail Distillery a truly special place in Kentucky. If you’re a bourbon lover or simply curious about authentic craftsmanship and great stories, don’t miss the chance to visit Wilderness Trail. It’s where science meets soul – and the result is pure joy in a glass. A place that captivates – just as much on the first visit as...

I visited on a Thursday afternoon and overall it was a fun visit. I do enjoy their bourbons immensely and see great things ahead for them. I will preface my tour critique with the fact that we learned our guide had been doing it for only a few weeks.

Distillery: The tour is first held in the visitor area via a microphone and mini speaker. I found it hard to hear and concentrate because, 15 feet away or so, people are visiting and talking loudly. I am sure they will outgrow this space so hopefully a new private area could happen in the future. The visitor center is one big square with hard surfaces everywhere so it echoes and you can hear a throat clear from anywhere in the room.

The guide: I cannot recall her name but she was able to answer all questions. She was entertaining but appeared rushed. The history in the beginning was fast, I never learned about the old house there, the tasting at the end was rushed as well. One last thing, I do wish that she would have asked where everyone is from. It makes the experience more personal, promotes conversation, humor and a creates a common bond.

4 stars because their products are absolutely...

This has been my favorite distillery yet! The grounds are gorgeous and Cooper, their kitty assistant, walks with the tours and has his own merchandise. They are masters of their craft and have a strong scientific background. We loved their deeper shares of the process compared to other distilleries. Since they're the smallest of the big names, they all wear many hats and are extremely knowledgeable. The staff was warm and funny. Our guide was Chris and he was great! It was not the corporate scripted vibe a lot of other distilleries have but organized very well like the larger distilleries. They offer a lot if classes and private tours. We were very impressed with their whiskey and bourbons and bought a couple bottles. Their merchandise was extensive, creative, and a great price as well. I highly recommend checking them out! I'll be coming back for classes next time I'm...