Bonded Warehouse Tour

Heaven Hill's Bourbon Experience in Bardstown runs this guided warehouse visit, 90 minutes long, ending with a tasting. Reservations are required and guests must be 21 or older.

Overview

This 90-minute experience at the Heaven Hill Bourbon Experience in Bardstown is built around one idea: Bottled-in-Bond whiskey. You start with the Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897 and why it mattered for American whiskey, then walk into two bonded warehouses, Warehouse Y and Warehouse H1, where the guide explains the five requirements a whiskey must meet to carry the bonded label.

Up to five Bottled-in-Bond whiskeys from the Heaven Hill portfolio are poured during the visit, and reviewers describe the guides as knowledgeable, generous with answers, and happy to slow down for questions. One reviewer mentioned having only six people on the tour and enjoying the tastings as they went.

After the warehouses, the tour moves indoors to the Heaven Hill Gallery, with interactive exhibits on the Shapira family and the distillery's core brands, and finishes in the 1935 Distillery Theater with an 11-minute film. You must be 21 or older for the pours, and photo ID matching the reservation name is checked at the door.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Check in at Heaven HillArrive at the Heaven Hill Bourbon Experience in Bardstown and show photo ID that matches the reservation name.
2. Bonded whiskey backgroundThe guide introduces the Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897 and explains why Heaven Hill is a leading producer of Bottled-in-Bond whiskey in the United States.
3. Warehouse Y and H1Walk through the two bonded warehouses while the guide covers the five requirements that define Bottled-in-Bond whiskey. Tastings of up to five Bottled-in-Bond whiskeys are poured along the way.
4. Heaven Hill GalleryExplore interactive exhibits on the Shapira family's history and the evolution of the distillery's core brands.
5. 1935 Distillery TheaterThe visit ends with an 11-minute film on the distillery's legacy and innovation.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points will help you get the most out of this visit, from ID rules to how the tasting is structured.

• Bring your ID. You must be 21 or older for the tasting. Bring a passport or ID card, and the name on it has to match the reservation name at check-in.
• One tour per day. State-regulated serving limits mean guests may only attend one Heaven Hill experience per day. Plan this as your single distillery experience there, not one of several back to back.
• Tasting pours vary. The whiskeys poured can change based on availability, and products tasted are not guaranteed for purchase afterward. One reviewer felt the sample pours were small for the price, so set expectations accordingly.
• Ask questions. Several reviewers praise the guides for being knowledgeable, friendly, and open to questions, with one noting the guide took his time and encouraged them. This is a tour where curiosity gets rewarded.
• Warehouse walking. The route takes you through two warehouses plus gallery exhibits and a short film. Wear comfortable shoes.
• Getting there. Transportation is not included. The experience starts at the Heaven Hill Bourbon Experience in Bardstown, so you will need to arrange your own drive or ride.

Common issues. Whiskeys in the tasting can vary by availability and may not be available to buy afterward. One reviewer felt the sample pours were small for the price, though the same reviewer still called the tour great. Another reviewer reported a cancellation where half the rate was still charged, so review the cancellation terms before booking. The 21-plus rule and the one-experience-per-day limit also restrict who can attend and how you plan your day.

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