Stitzel-Weller Distillery — Attraction in Shively

🥃 Stitzel-Weller Distillery – History You Can Still Feel ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Tucked away just outside Louisville, the Stitzel-Weller Distillery is a true landmark of bourbon history – even if the stills have long gone quiet.

Though it’s no longer an active production site, a visit here is a deep dive into the legacy of some of the most legendary names in bourbon – including Julian “Pappy” Van Winkle. This site was once home to the original wheated bourbon recipes that shaped today’s most sought-after bottles.

The tour is all about history, heritage, and storytelling. You walk through the same grounds where bourbon giants once worked, learning how this place helped define what Kentucky bourbon would become. It’s a powerful, reflective experience – not focused on production, but on the spirit of tradition.

The Visitor Center and gift shop are excellent – filled with rare bottles, elegant merchandise, and stories at every turn. But the real gem? The Blade and Bow bar, located in the beautifully preserved main house. It’s not just a bar – it’s a warm, welcoming lounge with leather chairs, low lighting, and that unmistakable old Kentucky charm. It feels more like a private library than a tasting room – the kind of place where you want to sit, sip, and stay.

✨ And then there’s the Five Keys. At the heart of Blade and Bow bourbon is the story of the five brass keys once used to unlock the different areas of the distillery: grains, yeast, fermentation, distillation, and aging – the five pillars of great bourbon. Finding all five collectible keys in Blade and Bow bottles earns you access to the exclusive Blade and Bow Key Holder’s Room, located right here in the distillery. A private lounge, reserved only for those who’ve collected the full set – it’s a beautiful nod to tradition and reward for true fans.

No, you won’t see active distilling here – but that’s not what Stitzel-Weller is about anymore. It’s about honoring the past, savoring the present, and feeling the quiet weight of bourbon legacy all around you.

✅ A must-visit for any bourbon lover who wants to experience not just the product, but the...

Stitzel-Weller Distillery, located in the heart of Kentucky, is a legendary name in the bourbon world, steeped in history and craftsmanship. Established in 1935 by Julian "Pappy" Van Winkle and his partners, this distillery has played a pivotal role in shaping the landscape of American whiskey. The building itself is a stunning example of Art Deco architecture, with its red brick and towering stone walls providing a glimpse into a bygone era.

At Stitzel-Weller, the tradition of bourbon making is a revered art form. The distillery's innovative mash bills and aging processes have produced some of the most sought-after bourbons in the world, including the iconic Pappy Van Winkle. Visitors to the distillery can expect to learn about the unique processes that contribute to the rich and complex flavors of their whiskeys, from the careful selection of grains to the meticulous aging in charred oak barrels.

The knowledgeable staff offers guided tours that delve deep into the distillery's storied past, sharing tales of prohibition, resilience, and the enduring legacy of the Van Winkle family. The tasting experience allows guests to savor the distinctive profiles of Stitzel-Weller’s offerings, enhancing appreciation for what makes this distillery a hallmark of quality.

Overall, a visit to Stitzel-Weller is more than just a bourbon tasting; it’s an immersion into a rich heritage that continues to influence the industry today. Whether you’re a seasoned bourbon lover or a curious newcomer, this distillery promises an unforgettable journey through the history and craft of...

Our tour guide, Molly, was pretty good, though a bit too many jokes at times. (She did refer us to a great place for dinner which was really good and worth the visit.)

There was a good amount of history included in the tour, which was great..

We are glad that that it wasn't the first distillery that we toured, because while the basic process of taking grain and distilling it and putting it in the barrel was explained with a miniature set of the equipment on a board, we didn't get to see any of the process. And steps in the process were only explained at basic level. The time spent in the rack house was a bit longer than it needed to be. A bit of the discussion didn't pertain to the rack house or to bourbon.

We enjoyed the coopers shop, and gained some new information from our visit there.

Overall, this is a nice basic tour, however don't expect to see or learn much of the actual process of making bourbon. If you have taken this tour and haven't taken a tour at another distillery, all 4 of us in our group, would strongly recommend that you tour another distillery to learn about the actual process of distilling and fermenting.

Note: They are building a new distillery in Shelbyville which we are told will be added to the Kentucky...