Whiskey Thief Distilling Co. Louisville — Local services in Louisville

✨ New Year. ✨ New Places. ✨ New Faces.

Last night I had the absolute pleasure of visiting, for the very first time, Whiskey Thief Distilling Co.‘s brand new tasting room in the awesome Nulu (IYKYK!!!) district of Louisville, KY. It certainly is NOT my last.✨✨✨

WOW.

It’s the 💣‼️

It grand opened 10/11/2024, and I couldn’t be more delighted with this new neighbor. Their main distillery is located in rural Franklin County, Kentucky. It is a celebration of single-barrel Bourbon crafted by single-batch distillation.

They have a 127-acre working farm and their 10-year-old distillery combines a unique thieving experience with Bluegrass hospitality for a one-of-a-kind whiskey adventure.

I had the pleasure of spending some time chatting with Ben, one of their Nulu Experience Managers, and could not have been more impressed.

He shared his knowledge and passion for Whiskey Thief, and he recommended the most amazing cocktail for this girl, a Pomegranate Mule ~ made with bourbon, of course! It was utterly TOP SHELF in both taste and visual beauty.

And wait a minute…is he psychic?!? How did he know I’m a mule girl?!? Ha!

And, as if all this new bourbon knowledge, and enjoyment of a brand “new to me” libation wasn’t enough, there was LIVE music!! 🎶🎵🎶

And not just any music…it was JAZZ!!

Phenomenal. I literally felt like I was back in "sweet home" Chicago. I truly appreciated the musicality of the band ~ such a joy to hear each and every instrument!

Last, but certainly not least, the atmosphere of the tasting room is warm and cozy, with such awesome feel-good vibes.

✨Friends!! RUN, don’t walk ~ get on over to Whiskey Thief today!!...

Disappointing experience that misses the mark on what makes Whiskey Thief so special. We’ve visited the Frankfort location and consider it one of the best distillery experiences in Kentucky—warm, passionate, and unforgettable. Unfortunately, this new location felt like a complete 180.

When we visited, most of the staff seemed more interested in chatting with each other or catering exclusively to one guest, leaving the rest of us waiting and feeling like an afterthought. After finally placing our order for a flight, we were quickly asked to cash out so they could return focus to the one individual. It felt transactional, not welcoming.

Even more concerning, we overheard one staff member openly making negative remarks about the brand—something we never expected from a team representing such a proud operation.

The building itself is great, and there’s potential here, but the heart, energy, and hospitality that define the Frankfort location are sorely missing. If you're seeking the true Whiskey Thief experience, skip this spot and head...

My first visit into Whiskey Thief based on a recommendation.

Solid atmosphere when you walk in, bar to the right and music and seating offtm to the left.

There was a jazz band playing upon entry but I saddled up to the bar for a bit just to get the vibe. Megan (if I remember correctly) was the bartender. Very inviting and took note of my allergies and assured me all was okay when I ordered the smoked Manhattan.

The drink was fantastic! She let it sit in the smoke for 2/3 minutes to get the full experience and then I sat in the music section which ended up being a very relaxed vibe. I didn't have a lot of free time but based on the time I did have, I will be back again. There are a lot of cocktail spots in NuLu and the highlands and I will be a repeat...