As a Kentucky native and bourbon fan, I know for sure that the commonwealth distills the best bourbon. Always has, always will. Period.
Am I prejudiced? No doubt, but with good reason. More than 95% of the world’s bourbon whiskey is produced in Kentucky. Though distilleries are popping up in every other state, it’s the Kentucky Bourbon Trail that lands on bucket lists. When you want the best bourbon experience, you go there. It’s that simple.
The aforementioned trail began in 1999 with only seven distilleries, eventually growing to 18. With the emergence of smaller distilleries across the state came the Kentucky Bourbon Craft Tour, which capped at 28. This summer the two attractions merged to become one Kentucky Bourbon Trail, with 46 distillery stops.
Bourbon’s overseeing organization, the Kentucky Distillers Association, has shifted its focus for visitors traveling the Trail from rushing to see all of the distilleries, to slowing down, savoring each moment, and exploring the possibilities of several. Guests are encouraged to taste, compare and enjoy a few at a time…even to visit one region at a time.
In 2018, Northern Kentucky rose to the occasion beautifully by creating The B-Line (short for “The Bourbon Line”), the border formed in the area by the Ohio River, which transported the first bourbon throughout the country. With headquarters in Covington, The B-Line now features:
- 7 Kentucky bourbon distilleries.
- 9 bourbon-centric bars, all of which must have at least 100 different bourbons in stock.
- 25 stops throughout Covington, Newport, Independence, Burlington, Sparta, Augusta and Maysville.
Since its inception, the B-Line has grown, especially in recent years.
“We added seven new stops in 2023 alone—a mix of distilleries, bars and restaurants,” says Julie Kirkpatrick, president and CEO of meetNKY, Northern Kentucky’s tourism and convention services bureau. “That expansion reflects the booming bourbon industry, which has more than doubled in size since 2008, reaching $9 billion last year. Northern Kentucky’s seven B-Line distilleries played a big role in contributing to these numbers.”
At all seven, visitors can learn how bourbon is made, the history of the distillery, and how to whip up a cocktail or two. At each, expect a gift shop for bourbon label swag and tastings, to develop a “nose” and taste for selecting your favorite.
Following is enough about each to whet your desire to head north and wet your whistle.
Augusta Distillery
Augusta
The Ohio River advanced Kentucky bourbon’s popularity and remains an attribute of this charming town with notable architecture. Its River Proof Series Bourbon is a fun bottle-your-own experience.
Boone County Distilling Co.
Independence
This whiskey-maker’s roots reach back to 1833, when Petersburg, Kentucky, was home to the largest distilled-spirits producer in America. Take a tour and learn why this business honors its history by declaring its bourbon to be made by ghosts.
Neeley Family Distillery
Sparta
Add historical color to your experience at family–owned and operated Neeley Family Distillery in Sparta. Nine generations of Neeleys made moonshine in the Kentucky mountains before 10th-generation Royce Neeley decided to pay the required government taxes and open a distillery. “We have as much illegal history in this state as the Beams have legal,” he declares in an entertaining website video. Using his forefathers’ recipe, he now makes bourbon, whiskey and moonshine, the latter in a raft of flavors that includes Chocolate Truffle.
New Riff Distilling –Newport
With a motto of “We’re a new riff on an old tradition,” this company’s product is bottled in bond without chill filtration, while its mash bill—non-GMO grains at 65% corn, 30% rye and 5% malted barley—represents a new riff on Kentucky’s most hallowed whiskey tradition. A rooftop terrace hosts pop-up events.
The Old Pogue Distillery – Maysville
The Pogue name can be traced back to bourbon’s early years of bourbon, around 1876, when the original family distillery was built on the Ohio River. The bourbon industry was likely born nearby. Located on the historic grounds of the original, today’s Old Pogue Distillery is run by fifth- and sixth-generation Pogues, who are making award-winning bourbon and rye whiskeys.
The Old Pogue Experience at the Kentucky Gateway Museum – Maysville
An exhibit takes you back in time to the area’s bourbon-making heyday. Sip at a tasting room and buy bourbon by the glass or bottle.
Pensive Distilling Co. – Newport
Founded in 2001, this distillery and kitchen was home to a speakeasy during Prohibition. Its décor is pure retro and guests need a password to enter. Pensive’s bourbons range from 80 proof to cask strength and cognac finished. Its “Strike the Gold” burger got an impressive nod in Garden & Gun and its Speakeasy Lounge, an outside patio, or an entire building buyout are perfect for corporate events.
Second Sight Spirits – Ludlow
After starting its distillery in 2015 on the Ohio River with a spiced rum, Second Sights then produced a great Kentucky bourbon, Oak Eye, technically the first bourbon released in Northern Kentucky since Prohibition. The distillery hosts live music concerts and an intriguing tour showcases its one-of-a-kind, self-built pot still that tells your fortune.
Here’s the amazing thing about the B-Line: you don’t even have to enjoy bourbon to have a ball. There’s so much to see, do and taste. Here’s a tiny sampling:
Coppin’s Restaurant in award-winning Hotel Covington is one of the first stops on the B-Line near the Cincinnati riverfront and now has a sister-bar, Knowledge, located next door in the new 53-suite North by Hotel Covington and great for social event rental.
While you’re in Covington, check out Libby’s Southern Comfort, which offers Southern cuisine that includes fried chicken, fried green tomatoes, and oatmeal cream pies from Scratch: Hand-Crafted Desserts. Be sure to try Libby’s specialty, the Cheerwine Bourbon Slush.
Smoke Justis is a local sports bar and eatery specializing in smoked meats, bourbon and craft beer. The establishment is named after a legendary opening-day pitcher for the 1913 Covington Blue Sox, Walter “Smoke” Justis.
Local fave and winner of multiple “Best in Cincinnati” awards, Newport-based Pompilios has been serving classic Italian fare for 90-plus years. A part of the movie “Rainman” was filmed here. Indulge in your favorite bourbon at the impressive bar.
“We are ‘…and bourbon’ in the north of the South,” says Kirkpatrick, “Bengals and bourbon; art and bourbon; outdoor adventure and bourbon….”
To discover your own “…and bourbon,” head for Northern Kentucky and its B-Line. For further info, visit TheBLine.com.
Once you’re there, be sure to pick up a Line Guide (passport) at any B-Line stop or download the online version on your phone. Once you’ve checked in at two distilleries, two bars and two restaurants, send in your completed passport and the B-Line folks will send you a free gift…as if tasting all those terrific Northen Kentucky bourbons weren’t gift enough!