THE ULTIMATE DOG-FRIENDLY ROAD TRIP ON THE KENTUCKY BOURBON TRAIL
By Steve and Karen Wilson, “Mr. & Mrs. Wild”
We love travel, adventure, and especially, the American road trip! What better way to explore the heart of America than by taking a scenic drive through Kentucky and trying some of the best bourbon in the country? We’ve toured the Bourbon Trail several times, but for this trip, we had a new goal: to complete a dog-friendly mini-Trail of a few days. Come along with us and our pups as we share the best dog-friendly distilleries and accommodations we found along the way.
STOP 1: BARDSTOWN – PRESERVATION DISTILLERY
Our bourbon adventure began in Bardstown, Kentucky, the self-proclaimed Bourbon Capital. On this visit, we wanted to try a new-to-us, dog-friendly spot. We found Preservation Distillery, a beautiful farm-based distillery. While the indoor tours don’t allow dogs, pups are warmly welcomed in their outdoor spaces.
We settled in on their patio (picnic tables are also available) to enjoy an Old Fashioned. The cocktails were great and unique, made with their distinctive maple bourbon. It was incredibly relaxing to watch the resident Longhorn cattle and even more fun to watch them interact with our dogs (and vice versa!).
🐾 Dog-Friendly Tip:
- Dogs welcome on the patio and outdoor picnic areas.
- Tours and tastings start from $24 per person (no dogs allowed on the tour).
STOP 2: FRANKFORT – BUFFALO TRACE DISTILLERY
Frankfort is known primarily for Buffalo Trace; a distillery we visit every time—it’s one of our absolute favorites.
This trip was special because we had friends to see! Lynn and Scott, a lovely couple who had stayed at our B&B, both happen to work at the distillery. We hit it off over a few sips of bourbon and planned to stop by for a visit. Though we couldn’t fit in a tour, we did score big: the special daily release happened to be Eagle Rare, a bourbon we both love. For those new to the bourbon world, Buffalo Trace offers two special bourbons per day, and you can only buy one bottle of each per person every 90 days. We call this “bourbon jail,” and yes, we happily bought our limit!
The Tasting Experience with Lynn
We joined our friend, Lynn, for a tasting. She is part of the bourbon society and truly is an encyclopedia of bourbon information—honestly, the best guide we’ve ever had. Our dogs were also allowed to join us and absolutely stole the show!
This particular tasting included the original Buffalo Trace, Eagle Rare, Sazerac, and a very smooth sample of their Century vodka. Don’t forget the delicious complimentary bourbon ball at the end!
🐾 Dog-Friendly Tip:
- Highly Dog Friendly! The staff dote on the pups, offering plenty of pats and treats.
- Dogs are allowed on the free Trace tour (with a couple of locations clearly excluded) and inside the tasting room.
- Tours are complimentary, but book early to secure your spot.
OUR OVERNIGHT DESTINATION – BOURBON BARREL COTTAGES
We drove to Lawrenceburg, Kentucky to check into our accommodation: the Bourbon Barrel Cottages. This property is perfectly located, offering easy drives to Woodford Reserve, Wild Turkey, Four Roses, and Buffalo Trace. Owners Jay and Angie were warm and personable. They even offer custom distillery, winery, and brewery tours so you can relax and enjoy without worrying about driving.
The property itself is spectacular, featuring beautiful flowers, planters, waterfalls, and a lake. We stayed in a two-bedroom, one-bath cottage and had all the comforts of home, including a fully stocked kitchen, a comfortable bed, and board games.
Cottage Amenities:
- Two bedrooms, one bath (new two-bed, two-bath cottages coming soon).
- Outdoor area with a swinging chair, hot tub, firepit, and grill.
- Restaurant and event center are in the works.
We had strong thunderstorms that night, so our plan to relax by the firepit or in the hot tub turned into a cozy evening on the porch, listening to the rain and thunder. We highly recommend booking a few nights to fully enjoy the cottage amenities and local sights!
STOP 3: WOODFORD RESERVE
The next day, our bourbon adventure continued at Woodford Reserve. While the distillery tours are not dog-friendly, the Visitor Center and the outdoor patio warmly welcome dogs. The staff here are always happy to say hello to the pups.
The Visitor Center is gorgeous, featuring a cozy fireplace and a stunning wall display of bourbon bottles. The cocktails at the bar are delicious—we tried the traditional Old Fashioned, the Double Oaked Old Fashioned, and the Kentucky Mule. The drinks are especially classy with the Woodford Reserve logo stamped on the ice cube! The patio is comfortable and relaxing, overlooking the property and smelling the sweet aroma of bourbon in the air.
🐾 Dog-Friendly Tip:
- Dogs welcome in the Visitor Center and on the outdoor patio.
- Tour options start at $35 per person (no dogs allowed).
STOP 4: WILD TURKEY
Our final stop was Wild Turkey. Here, dogs are allowed on the patio only but are not permitted in any of the buildings or tours. The patio is incredibly inviting, with several couches, a firepit, and a beautiful view of the Kentucky River. We enjoyed an Old Fashioned and a “Wolf Ticket.” Both cocktails were delicious, and as a great souvenir, you get to keep the rocks glass!
🐾 Dog-Friendly Tip:
- Dogs welcome on the patio.
- Tours are available Wednesday–Sunday and start at $25 per person.
CONCLUSION
This Kentucky road trip was just a taste of the Bourbon Trail, but we found some of the absolute best dog-friendly places along the way. Don’t forget to check out the accompanying podcast episode where we chat with our friend Lynn from Buffalo Trace! We look forward to exploring and sharing more adventures in the future. Cheers!
🐾 Plan Your Adventure:
– Kentucky Bourbon Trail: https://kybourbontrail.com
– Preservation Distillery: https://kybourbontrail.com/distillery/preservation-distillery/
– Buffalo Trace Distillery: https://www.buffalotracedistillery.com/
– Bourbon Barrell Cottages: https://www.bourbonbarrelcottages.com/
– Woodford Reserve: https://www.woodfordreserve.com/
– Wild Turkey: https://www.wildturkeybourbon.com/
Steve and Karen Wilson own and run The Lion and The Rose Bed & Breakfast in the heart of the Montford Historic District in Asheville, North Carolina. They also cohost Big Blend Radio’s “Adventures in Asheville” podcast that airs every first Tuesday. Learn more about their Inn at https://www.lion-rose.com/
