Perched on a Kentucky River bluff with dramatic views, Wild Turkey is home to Jimmy Russell — the longest-tenured master distiller in bourbon history. A modern visitor center with solid tours and the Russell's Reserve lineup.
Wild Turkey's distillery sits on one of the most dramatic locations on the entire trail — a bluff overlooking a bend in the Kentucky River, surrounded by old-growth trees. The visitor center is modern and well-designed, opened in 2014, and the views alone are worth the drive.
What makes Wild Turkey special is the Jimmy Russell connection. Jimmy has been the master distiller here since 1954 — over 70 years. His son Eddie is now co-master distiller. The Russell family legacy gives Wild Turkey a personal, family-driven feel that's rare at a distillery of this size.
The bourbon itself is bold and unapologetic — higher proof than most competitors, with a rich, spicy profile. If you like your bourbon with backbone, Wild Turkey delivers.
Standard tour through the production facility with Kentucky River views. Covers the full process and ends with a tasting of the core lineup. Well-run and informative.
A deeper dive focused on the Russell's Reserve premium lineup. Smaller groups, more in-depth tasting, and a chance to explore the nuances of their barrel selection process. Worth the upgrade.
Wild Turkey is moderately competitive. Standard tours are usually available at 1–2 weeks. The Russell's Reserve Experience is the one that fills up faster — book 2–3 weeks ahead, especially for weekends.
Note that Wild Turkey is closed Mondays. Plan accordingly if you're doing a weekday trip.
Good gift shop with the full Wild Turkey and Russell's Reserve lineup at MSRP. They occasionally have distillery-exclusive Russell's Reserve single barrel picks that are worth grabbing. Kentucky Spirit single barrel is another distillery staple. Reasonable merchandise selection.
Wild Turkey offers a great combination of stunning natural setting, bourbon history, and bold whiskey. The Russell's Reserve Experience is the standout if you want to go deeper. It pairs naturally with Four Roses and Woodford Reserve on a Lexington/Lawrenceburg day. The Kentucky River views from the visitor center are some of the best on the trail.
Address: 1525 Tyrone Rd, Lawrenceburg, KY 40342
Hours: Tuesday–Saturday 9 AM – 5 PM, Sunday 12 PM – 4 PM. Closed Monday.
Parking: Free, large lot.
Kids: Allowed on tours, no tasting under 21.
Spanish Mission architecture. 10 bourbon recipes.
Postcard-perfect horse country campus.
Stunning restored pre-Prohibition grounds.
Famous sandwiches near Woodford Reserve.
Wild Turkey Distillery is featured in our 3-Day Bourbon Trail Itinerary. See the full day-by-day route for how it fits with nearby stops.