Old Forester Distilling Co. — Attraction in Louisville

I've been on several distillery tours. This by far is the best. There seems to be two styles of distillery tours developing out there. There is the traditional tour at the actual distillery. This tends to favor the companies with the beautiful rural grounds and giant magnificent rickhouses. The other is the urban "experience" where you visit a location with some sort of historical tie and tour a reproduction of the process.

The "experience"-type places tend to be a sanitized version of the real thing, a glossing over. Some I would even relate to a visit to Epcot Center at Disney World. The Old Forester tour is an experience-type tour but make no mistake, it is nothing to dismiss.

The entire staff first off is very professional and friendly. The tour is immersive. Although it's a small operation, high-end and expensive bourbon is produced at this location. Instead of showing you endless videos and staged events of things, here you see the real thing from start to finish. For an "experience" tour, this is quite an enjoyable surprise. In the on-site cooperage, you even get a chance to participate.

The whole tour is informative. Our particular tour guide, Caitlyn, was knowledgeable and answered all of our questions. The presentation of everything is top notch. They've really gotten down the cool chic bourbon feel in the design of the interior, almost a post-modern Mad Men feel to things.

The tour concludes with an enjoyable tasting experience and a visit to the gift shop which is a treat in itself.

Please go and see how it's done. You could only do better by going to and actual didtt and even most of those tours...

🥃 Old Forester Distilling Co. – Where History Meets Fire ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 6/5 Stars

If there's one distillery tour in Louisville you absolutely shouldn’t miss, it’s this one: Old Forester Distilling Co.

Located on the legendary Whiskey Row, Old Forester offers more than just a tour – it’s a full sensory journey through bourbon history and craftsmanship. From the moment you walk through the doors, you feel it: heritage, passion, and authenticity in every corner.

The tour is incredibly well done. You don’t just hear about how bourbon is made – you see it, smell it, feel it.

And here’s what truly sets it apart: Old Forester is the only distillery in Louisville where you can watch barrels being built and fired right before your eyes.

Watching the flames ignite inside a freshly assembled barrel is something you’ll never forget – it’s dramatic, intense, and beautiful. And it’s exactly this process that gives Old Forester bourbons their deep, rich character and signature flavor.

The gift shop is fantastic and full of exclusive bottles and great finds. And the bar? Easily one of the best on the trail – stylish, welcoming, and stocked with incredible pours. Speaking of pours – my personal favorites? Definitely the Old Forester 1910 – smooth, chocolatey, with toasted oak notes… And the 1920 Prohibition Style – bold, spicy, and full of soul. Both are unforgettable. If you want to truly understand what bourbon is all about, this is where you start.

Old Forester isn’t just a tour – it’s an experience, and for me, the best and most beautiful one in Louisville. Highly...

What an amazing story, distillery and great representation of Kentucky Bourbon as would be expected on Main Street.

We visited this location on a recommendation as was unknown to this West Cost couple (come on, distributors! Who wants to put some marketing dollars in California?). Our tour guide, I believe her name was Diana from LA, was amazing. She was full of knowledge about the Louisville history and the process to make this in throw back drink. To top it off, she kept light the science behind getting the ingredients to our favorite bottled liquor using more relatable contracts to explain what is happening. Like Yeast being like a toddler who loves sugar and needs a lot of attention.

The 45 min tour was coupled with a fun tasting of 3 variations of the Old Forester brand wheee she encouraged use of nose and pallet and possible uses of each.

After the tour we rushed down to purchase our favorites which included one that could be engraved. When we brought it to the register we were told engraving was complete as they were closing in 3 min and we could pick it up in am. Well we were disappointed as we shared that we were heading back to Nashville so will have to forego the bottle. But to show that class isn’t only saved for the tours and that there is a pride in working for This company, the gentleman (Hunter) graciously said no problem and went and etched our bottle commemorating our NYE trip.

Overall this was more than expected and we will be back to enjoy more of what’s offered at Old Forester as well as Louisville’s...