The Evan Williams Bourbon Experience in Louisville invites visitors to discover—or rediscover—bourbon
By Corinne Minard
Whether you’re a bourbon aficionado or a newbie, you’ll find there’s an experience for everyone at the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience in Louisville, Kentucky.
“The experiences at Evan Williams in downtown Louisville have evolved along with the type of guests visiting Kentucky this past decade. Bourbon lovers still flock here to enjoy the story and spirit of Kentucky’s first licensed distiller. They still love the recreation of Louisville’s waterfront in the late 1700s and stepping onto what Whiskey Row looked like during the Industrial Revolution,” says Jean Michalak, partner development manager for the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience. “Over time we are meeting more people who are just curious about bourbon. People want to know what this bourbon buzz is all about!”
Visitors to the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience can experience bourbon in multiple ways. They can get hands-on experience learning how to make bourbon with Bourbon Bootcamp, dive into the history and process of making bourbon cocktails with the seasonal Mixing with Micah, and try something sweet with the chocolate and whiskey pairing experience called Choc-ology.
If you aren’t able to book an experience in advance, there are still plenty of ways to enjoy bourbon at the Evans Williams Bourbon Experience. “[You can] visit the ON3 cocktail bar where you can enjoy flights, cocktails and even pours from difficult-to-find allocated bottles from the Heaven Hill Distillery portfolio. The knowledgeable team at Evan Williams will help you find the perfect drink for your visit,” says Michalak.
And if you step into the ON3 cocktail bar, you may also get the opportunity to sip something special. Some award-winning, Kentucky exclusive products are available on site, pending availability.
“For example, guests who take a tour right now can taste and buy Evan Williams Master Blend, which was created specifically for this location. They can also taste and purchase Evan Williams 12 Year Red Label, a darling of the bourbon world. Truly one of the most delicious bourbons on the market. These offerings are not guaranteed but we do our best to have the best of the best for our guests,” says Michalak.
And after you’ve finished your drink, you have all of Louisville to explore. Nearby attractions include the Muhammad Ali Center, Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory, Frazier Kentucky History Museum, the Kentucky Museum of Art and Craft (KMAC), and shopping and restaurants in the nearby NuLu neighborhood.
