The first African American-owned bourbon company in Kentucky since slavery — an elegant downtown Lexington tasting room offering a unique sensory bourbon and mixology experience.
Fresh Bourbon is making history — recognized by the State of Kentucky as the first African Americans to produce Kentucky bourbon since slavery. Founded by Sean and Tia Edwards, Fresh brings a genuinely fresh perspective to a bourbon industry that has traditionally lacked diversity. The downtown Lexington tasting room is elegant and upscale — marble bar, chandeliers, and a vibe that feels more craft cocktail lounge than traditional distillery. The experience is structured as a multi-stage sensory journey: you'll explore scents and flavors to identify your palate preferences, learn about your "dominant nostril" (seriously — it's fascinating), then craft your own Old Fashioned before finishing with a cocktail. This isn't a production tour — it's a tasting room experience focused on how to taste and enjoy bourbon. For visitors who've already done several production tours and are "toured out," Fresh Bourbon is the perfect change of pace. The guides (Mimi, Nate, Rob, and Tobi get rave reviews) make the experience personal and interactive. The bourbon itself is approachable and smooth — designed to welcome both first-time tasters and experienced drinkers. Their vodka is also highly praised — smooth enough to drink neat at 80 proof.
The signature multi-stage sensory experience: scent exploration to discover your palate, bourbon tasting with food pairings, hands-on Old Fashioned making with your choice of bitters, and a craft cocktail. Interactive, educational, and genuinely fun.
Walk-in tasting at the bar without the full guided experience. Try their bourbon and vodka, enjoy a cocktail, and browse the merchandise. Good for a quick stop between Distillery District tours.
Fresh Bourbon's guided experiences can sell out, especially on weekends. Book a week ahead online. Walk-in bar visits are usually available. The downtown Lexington location makes it easy to combine with other Distillery District stops.
Booking Method: Website
Hardest Slots: Fri/Sat evening
Cancellation: 24hr notice
Walk-Up Chance: Moderate (bar only)
The tasting room doubles as a retail space with Fresh Bourbon bottles, vodka, branded apparel, bourbon history books, and cocktail accessories. The space is beautifully designed and the merchandise reflects the brand's modern, upscale aesthetic. Their bourbon makes a meaningful gift — the story behind the brand adds real significance.
Fresh Bourbon is one of the most unique and meaningful stops you can make in Lexington. The sensory experience is unlike anything else on the trail, the historical significance is real, and the tasting room is gorgeous. It's not a production tour, so pair it with James E. Pepper or Barrel House for a complete Lexington distillery day. Worth every penny.
Address: 377 E Main St, Suite 100, Lexington, KY 40507
Hours: Thursday–Saturday (check website for current hours)
Parking: Downtown Lexington street parking and nearby garages.
Kids: Not ideal — upscale cocktail-focused environment. No tasting under 21.
Distillery District production tour. Great combo.
Craft tour in the Distillery District.
Bourbon and beer in one stop.
Excellent restaurants within walking distance.
Itinerary Fit — See how Fresh Bourbon Distillery fits into our 3-Day Bourbon Trail Itinerary and plan your day-by-day route with nearby stops.