In 1818, Catherine Spears Carpenter Frye made bourbon history as the first person to write down the recipe for sour mash. A century later, Margie Samuels made her own historic contribution when, in the 1950s, she created the most iconic whiskey packaging in the industry with Maker’s Mark’s hand-dipped red wax seal. In 2016, Joyce and Autumn Netherly made headlines as Kentucky’s only mother/daughter bourbon distillery owners. As far back as the early 1800s, Kentucky women have been leaving their mark on the bourbon landscape. “The bourbon industry isn’t just for the boys,” said Stacy Prichard, vice president of distillery relations at the Kentucky Bourbon Festival , held every September on the grounds of Spalding Hall in Bardstown. “There are a lot of women in bourbon—many with chemical and engineering degrees. There are lots of women in leadership roles. Pretty much anything women want to do, they’re doing it.” 

Bourbon and chocolate. Bourbon and bacon. Bourbon and the Great Outdoors. Bourbon is the ultimate pairing partner. And in Northern Kentucky , bourbon sipping and strolling, tasting and touring go hand in hand—especially when the neighborhoods explored are architectural beauties with lots of character and independently owned shops and restaurants, like in Covington and Newport, or countryside charmers surrounded by gorgeous scenery, like Florence. Whether walking, shuttling, or ridesharing, these communities seamlessly blend bourbon adventuring and outdoor fun while also supporting safe and responsible exploration. COVINGTON: A WALKABLE BOURBON HUB Bourbon Experience: Stroll MainStrasse Village, a German-inspired, pedestrian-friendly, National Register of Historic Places neighborhood. Pop into Stoney’s Etc. toy shop, Hail Records & Oddities, and other unique shops, or take a snap of the Goose Girl Fountain, and relax at Goebel Park with its historic glockenspiel clock tower. Pop into B-Line ® stop, the Old Kentucky Bourbon Bar , and let the staff guide you to your perfect cocktail, mixed with one of a selection of more than 800 bourbons. Sip inside or enjoy on the patio. Alternatively, ride-share to Ludlow to experience one of NKY’s most original distilleries, Second Sight Spirits , with its Las Vegas show-inspired Swami still, crystal balls, and tours that include a tasting of the distillery’s Oak Eye Kentucky Bourbon, fine rums, moonshine, and fan-favorite hazelnut liqueur. Outdoor Adventure: Walk the Roebling Suspension Bridge for sweeping views of the Ohio River unwinding between Cincinnati’s stunning skyline and Northern Kentucky’s church-steepled landscape. At night, when illuminated, the experience is magical. Play a round of disc golf at Devou Park, a 700-acre playground with one of the most photogenic views in the region at its iconic city overlook. Follow the outdoor art on foot with walking tours in Covington’s Central Business District with its mid-1800s architecture to see murals, mosaics, statues, and sculptures, including Clive the Alien, a 50-foot green space invader hanging out—or over—the Midtown Parking Garage and keeping a watchful eye on the earthlings below. 

Not only does Kentucky make 95 percent of the world’s bourbon, but the Bluegrass state wholeheartedly celebrates it too, with world-class festivals and events one can find only in a Gateway to the Kentucky Bourbon Trail®, Kentucky’s Bourbon Heart, and the Bourbon Capital of the World. BOURBON WEEK Kentucky’s annual salute to all things bourbon gets underway with bourbon-related experiences, events, products, and opportunities for some one-on-one time with bourbon’s Master Distillers—all in celebration of the state’s bourbon heritage. Here’s how the Come Find Bourbon destinations are kicking off festivities in 2025: Covington celebrates with a bourbon and baseball mashup: Kicking off on June 12, The B-Line ® teams up with the Florence Y’all’s for a “Bourbon, Baseball, and Big Rewards” promo in honor of National Bourbon Day in Northern Kentucky that lasts through June 30. Join the fun starting with a B-Line promo at the Y’all’s game on June 12, featuring a special B-Line bourbon cocktail at the Thomas More Stadium’s bar, as well as a limited custom-branded bourbon baseball giveaway. Celebrations continue along the B-Line, adding more opportunities to win a Family Four-Pack of Y’alls tickets and a Luxury Table Experience at a future Y’alls home game. Downtown Frankfort Bourbon Week - A Bluegrass Experience , June 13-20: This bourbon-themed week kicks off on Friday, June 13, with music by New Orleans blues band Jackson and the Janks. Sponsored by Bourbon on the Banks and House of Commons: Bourbon Library, events include bourbon tours and activities showcasing the craftsmanship, history, and culture behind America's native spirit; bourbon-inspired goods from local artisans—from handcrafted souvenirs to gourmet treats; a Signature Cocktail Celebration, featuring “The Frankfort,” a custom-crafted drink similar in spirit to the iconic Manhattan, and a cocktail stroll. Bardstown – National Bourbon Week ™, June 9-15: Presented by Buzick Construction, this community-wide celebration of the city and its ties to bourbon’s history, growth, and evolution brings together world-class distilleries, exclusive tastings, unique educational experiences, and Bardstown’s vibrant, historic downtown. Activities include culinary offerings, cocktails, classes, tastings, and special events planned by a number of Bardstown-area distilleries. New this year: The Mash Up, a special evening pairing Bourbon Capital Alliance’s nine partner distilleries with a local culinary partner. “As we kick off the second annual National Bourbon Week™, we’re proud to celebrate not only Nelson County’s deep-rooted bourbon heritage but also the growing economic impact this event brings to our community,” said Stacey Phelps, president of Visit Bardstown . “This weeklong celebration is a true toast to the spirit, craftsmanship, and community that make us so special.” 

Kentucky’s Capital City is a magnet for families offering historical attractions, including the Kentucky State Capitol and Thomas D. Clark Center for Kentucky History , outdoor favorites like the please-do-touch Josephine Sculpture Park and Leslie Morris Park on Fort Hill , featuring paved walking trails and picnic areas, and downtown shops, including Completely Kentucky and Poor Richard’s Books . Frankfort also has a number of bourbon-related experiences, making it a family-friendly destination for aficionados of America’s Only Native Spirit.

Foodies and bourbon enthusiasts seeking elevated dining experiences find their bourbon-infused bliss in Covington, Frankfort, and Bardstown. Many restaurants and bars in these bourbon-centric cities showcase unique takes on pairing bourbon with meals, specialize in bourbon-infused menus, and feature dishes that amplify bourbon flavors. Additionally, these three cities offer bourbon experiences that bourbon lovers aren’t likely to find anywhere else. SIGNATURE SPINS In Newport, the team at Purple Poulet Southern Bourbon Bistro , led by Chef Rick Zumwalde, loves a good splash or three of bourbon in dishes like fried chicken and waffles with maple bourbon syrup, “Swanky” Shrimp-n-Grits with bourbon-cream pan gravy, hickory-smoked beef brisket with bourbon-peach jus, a Casino-style market catch with bourbon-bacon-maple broth, and bourbon mashed sweet potatoes. Likewise, the team at Beehive Augusta Tavern shows its unbridled enthusiasm for Kentucky bourbon by incorporating it into multiple dishes: bourbon-braised short ribs, bourbon carbonara, bourbon-glazed bone-in pork chops, bourbon-glazed salmon, a bourbon bordelaise burger, and honey bourbon fried chicken. Even sides like the honey bourbon bacon brussels get a dousing. At the Kitchen & Bar at Bardstown Bourbon Company (BBCo.), Kentucky’s first distillery-based restaurant, Chef Stu Plush likes to bring out bourbon tasting notes through various dishes. For instance, the menu suggests BBCo. Origin Series Bottled-in-Bond or Prohibited Paradise for country ham carbonara and BBCo. Origin Series Rye Whiskey or Feel the Heat for its Southern fried chicken. At HOC (House of Commons): A Bourbon Library in Frankfort, Founder and Proprietor Dave Sandlin brings encyclopedic knowledge to the bourbons he stocks. Additionally, this bourbon barkeep knows how to spin a good yarn. “Everyone has a story to tell, and every bourbon has a story to tell,” said Sandlin. “Our storytelling is the framework around the more than 315 Kentucky whiskeys we have on the shelf, why we have them, why each is special, rare, or different.” Visitors to HOC won’t find food and bourbon pairings (although Sanders is happy to share restaurant recommendations); this bourbon bar is about pairing bourbon to people’s palettes. “People come in and tell us what they like, and we formulate a taste profile for them,” said Sanders.

Planning your first distillery visit or considering a journey along the Kentucky Bourbon Trail®? Bourbon has a built-in mystique and culture that might give the bourbon-curious and aspiring aficionados pause in taking that first step into the world of America’s Only Native Spirit. BOURBON 101 The variety of distilleries and their unique experiences may seem daunting, and terms like “nosing” and “Kentucky chew” baffling, but part of the fun of bourbon is in the learning. Beginners can get their feet wet in Frankfort at Buffalo Trace Distillery , with an intro to the history and science of bourbon, and at Castle & Key with an interactive Cocktail Therapy class to elevate sensory awareness. The Old Pogue Experience on Northern Kentucky’s The B-Line ® in downtown Maysville offers a different perspective, combining the Bourbon History Galleries, which delve into the 1791 Whiskey Tax Act Rebellion and Prohibition, with an (optional) tasting of an original Kentucky bourbon—Old Pogue Master’s Select. In the Bourbon Capital of the World, Lux Row Distillers in Bardstown gives an insider’s view of the bourbon making process from start to finish on its Grain to Barrel Tour, followed by an educational, guided tasting experience. Here is a guide to some bourbon basics that will help you look more natural than novice when sitting down to a tasting and will soon have you pairing like a pro.

Not only is Northern Kentucky an Official Gateway to the Kentucky Bourbon Trail® and home of The B-Line®, a self-guided bourbon tour comprising nearly 30 stops and stretching from Covington to Maysville, it is also home to a very active distillery scene. From the laid-back, dog-friendly atmosphere of Bellevue’s Three Spirits Tavern to the upscale, tailored air of Hotel Covington’s Knowledge Bar & Social Room located in North by Hotel Covington, the special-occasion vibe of Dutch-inspired Lisse Steakhuis in Mainstrasse with its impressive lineup of bourbons, and the historic-meets-modern ambiance of Newport’s Pensive Distilling Co ., Northern Kentucky has dozens of venues to tempt and tease first-time distillery visitors and bourbon connoisseurs alike.