The world's best-selling bourbon brand with eight generations of Beam family distilling. A large campus near Bardstown with multiple experience options — from casual tastings to the premium Knob Creek deep-dive.
Jim Beam is bourbon royalty — eight generations of the Beam family have been making whiskey on this ground. The Clermont campus is large, well-maintained, and offers the most variety of any distillery on the trail in terms of experience options.
The standard tour is solid but not distinctive — you'll see the same production process you've seen elsewhere. Where Jim Beam shines is in their premium experiences: the Knob Creek Cookhouse pairing (bourbon + BBQ), the Fred B. Noe experience at the newer facility, and the deep-dive tastings that let you explore across the Beam portfolio (Knob Creek, Basil Hayden, Baker's, Booker's).
For first-time visitors, Jim Beam is a reliable stop. For repeat visitors, the premium experiences offer enough depth to justify a return trip.
The standard distillery tour covering the full production process. Well-organized, decent tasting at the end. A reliable choice if you haven't visited before.
Focused on their premium Knob Creek line. Deeper tasting, smaller groups, and a more sophisticated experience than the standard tour. Worth the upgrade if you enjoy bolder, full-flavored bourbon.
Bourbon tasting paired with BBQ from their on-site Cookhouse. A fun group activity that combines two of Kentucky's specialties.
Jim Beam is easy to book. Standard tours have availability at 1 week or less, and walk-ups are common. The premium experiences fill up a bit faster — book 1–2 weeks ahead for weekends.
The campus is between Louisville and Bardstown, so it fits naturally into the drive between the two on Day 1 or Day 2 of a trip.
Large gift shop with the full Beam portfolio. Standard bottles at MSRP. They often have distillery-exclusive Knob Creek single barrel picks and limited Booker's releases. The gift shop is more extensive than most — merchandise, home bar accessories, and a wide bottle selection.
Jim Beam delivers exactly what you'd expect from the world's biggest bourbon brand — a polished, reliable experience with plenty of options. The standard tour is fine but unremarkable. The Knob Creek Experience and BBQ pairing elevate it. Best as a stop between Louisville and Bardstown rather than a destination in itself. If you're pressed for time, the craft distilleries in Bardstown offer more memorable per-minute experiences.
Address: 526 Happy Hollow Rd, Clermont, KY 40110
Hours: Monday–Saturday 9 AM – 5:30 PM, Sunday 12 PM – 4 PM
Parking: Free, large lot.
Kids: Allowed on tours.
Best educational tasting in Bardstown.
Modern craft facility.
National Historic Landmark campus.
Historic Bardstown dining.
James B. Beam Distilling Co. is featured in our 3-Day Bourbon Trail Itinerary. See the full day-by-day route for how it fits with nearby stops.