A craft distillery doing some of the best bourbon in the Bardstown region. Smaller, more personal, and producing whiskey that punches well above its weight. The kind of stop that turns into a trip highlight.
Preservation Distillery is the craft stop that converts skeptics. If you come to the Bourbon Trail thinking only the big names make great whiskey, a visit here will change your mind. The bourbon is genuinely excellent — better, frankly, than what you'll taste at several of the more famous distilleries on the trail.
The operation is small and personal. You're not one of 20 people shuffling through a corporate visitor center — you're in a room with the people who actually make the whiskey, asking real questions and getting real answers. That intimacy is what makes craft stops special, and Preservation does it as well as anyone in the region.
The distillery is conveniently located in the Bardstown area, making it an easy add to any Day 2 itinerary. You can walk up most days, though a quick reservation ensures you're not waiting.
A guided tasting through their bourbon lineup. Personal, unhurried, and focused on the whiskey itself. The quality of the bourbon here consistently surprises visitors who are used to the big-name offerings. This is why you visit craft distilleries.
A walkthrough of their production operation followed by a tasting. Smaller scale than the major distilleries, which means you see everything up close and can ask detailed questions.
Preservation is one of the easiest stops to visit on the entire trail. Walk-ups are common, and a quick call or online reservation a day or two ahead is usually all you need. This flexibility makes it perfect as a spontaneous addition to your Bardstown day.
Small, focused selection of their own products. The bourbon is the main draw — if you like what you taste, buy it here. It's not widely distributed, so the distillery is often the best (or only) place to get it. Prices are fair and there's no markup.
Preservation Distillery is proof that great bourbon doesn't require a massive campus or a famous name. The whiskey here is legitimately excellent, the experience is personal, and the convenience factor (easy booking, walk-up friendly, Bardstown location) makes it one of the smartest additions to any trail itinerary. If you've got an open slot on your Bardstown day, fill it here.
Address: 426 Sutherland Rd, Bardstown, KY 40004
Hours: Thursday–Saturday 10 AM – 5 PM, Sunday 12 PM – 5 PM. Closed Mon–Wed.
Parking: Free, on-site.
Best educational tasting on the trail.
Another excellent craft stop in New Hope.
Modern facility with Ezra Brooks.
Historic tavern, deep bourbon list.
Preservation Distillery is featured in our 3-Day Bourbon Trail Itinerary. See the full day-by-day route for how it fits with nearby stops.