Preservation Distillery + Farm — Local services in Bardstown

When planning our Bourbon Trail stops, we didn't originally have Preservation in our plans but it was suggested to us by our guide. Let me tell you it was very much worth it! It was our first stop of the 10 distilleries we visited on our trip and it was by far our most talked about.

The buildings were beautiful and the grounds serene. It was a great place to relax and take a tour. Our tour guide, Jim, was awesome. He was very knowledgeable and fun to talk to. He did have to compete for our attention with the resident kitty but he did a great job. He took us through the history of the first female owned distillery and the distillation process and made it engaging and very informative.

Once we got to the tasting, we were very excited to try everything they had to offer and let me tell you, it was worth. Jim took us through 6 different samples, none of which we had heard of before, and by the end we were looking for which whiskeys were available back home! We had fans of each bottle we tried, everything was quality and very tasty. You really can't go wrong with any of the ones we tried. Our favorite was Preservation Wheated. It just blew us away! It was so good, we had to grab one at the gift shop!

By the time we were done, we walked out with whiskey, glasses, and some delicious coffee (I'm drinking their bourbon english toffee right now). Our only regret, being our first tour, was that we didn't buy more bottles and every flavor of coffee!

Whether you are a fan of the big, mass produced bourbons or have a favorite craft bourbon or whiskey, you can't go wrong at Preservation. The downside of being a smaller distillery is that we aren't able to get anything we tasted back home in Wisconsin. That just means we will be back on our next trip for sure to stock up!

Thanks to Jim and the Preservation staff for giving us a high bar to compare all the other distilleries to.

Tip: Make sure to see the longhorns that inspire the logo in the back of...

Review of Preservation Distillery

I was really looking forward to my visit to Preservation Distillery, especially after reading about the unique experience they offered. Unfortunately, the tour did not deliver on what was promised at the time of booking. According to the reservation details, guests were to receive a complimentary cocktail at the start of the tour and a souvenir at the end—neither of which were provided during my visit.

The distillery itself is visually charming and the staff were polite, but it was disappointing to find that key parts of the advertised experience were simply missing without explanation. When booking an experience that promotes added touches like a welcome drink and take-home item, it’s reasonable to expect those to be honored. These are not just perks—they’re part of what sets one distillery experience apart from another.

Overall, the tour lacked follow-through on the promised details, which made the experience feel incomplete and not quite worth the cost. I hope they revisit how they communicate and fulfill their tour offerings moving forward. The cost of this tour, for two people was $294.15! Below is a copy of information provided at time of booking ⬇️

VINTAGE CONNCIOSEOR EXPERIENCE (NATIONAL BOURBON WEEK EXCLUSIVE) June 9th- 15th Private Reserve Tasting with Tour + Pairing 426 Sutherland Rd. Bandstown, Kentucky 40004 QUESTIONS CONTACT US Immerse yourself in a premium flight of our most exclusive and coveted Bourbons, Ryes, & Whiskeys. This experience is private, exclusive, and especially rare. What's Included: • Enjoy a private, guide through our 100% pot distillation to barrel process with a Certified Bourbon Steward, while sipping a hand-crafted cocktail. • You will experience a taste in the barrel room from a Select Small-Batch Barrel • Afterwards, step into our Guest House for a private, guided flight of some of your most rore released Bourbons and Ryes, with a light pairing and take...

The Preservation Distillery is a true gem in Kentucky! The tour was absolutely fascinating – a small but outstanding distillery where true craftsmanship takes center stage. The guide provided great insights into the entire distillation process, making it an engaging and informative experience. A special highlight: the friendly cats roaming the property, always happy for a little attention!

The tasting was the ultimate highlight! The whiskey selection was excellent, with the Very Old St. Nick, Winter Maple Whiskey standing out – incredibly smooth, sweet, and almost like a dessert. Each whiskey had its own unique character and was a delight to taste.

One small downside: The whiskeys are on the pricier side, but given their exclusivity and small-batch production, it’s understandable. For those looking for exceptional, high-quality bourbons, this is the place to be!

Overall, an absolute must-visit – if you're in Kentucky, make sure to add Preservation Distillery to your list!

Dear Preservation Team,

Thank you for such a kind and touching reply – it truly means a lot to me. I’m genuinely happy that my words resonated with you. The experience at your distillery was so authentic and full of character, it honestly wrote itself!

And yes – that Winter Maple Whiskey… it was more than just a taste – it was a moment! Like I said: like an angel peed on my tongue – unforgettable in the best possible way. 😄

I’ll be back very soon – probably one of the upcoming weekends – and I’m more than happy to answer any questions in person. Just give me a heads-up or send a message, and I’ll make sure to stop by and say hello.

Can’t wait to see the distillery again, especially now as spring starts to show itself and the trees begin to bloom. Until then, keep doing what you do – because it’s magic.

Warm...