ISC Kentucky Cooperage Tours
Lebanon, KY 40033
ISC Kentucky Cooperage Tours Review & Information
Whether you’re a seasoned whiskey drinker or someone that is completely new to the drink, most folks know that a new, charred white American oak barrel is what makes bourbon - bourbon. And if you’ve ever been curious about this critical component of bourbon, you can visit the world’s largest bourbon barrel maker via a Kentucky Cooperage tour in Lebanon KY. And on the tour, you will learn the literal ins-and-outs of the bourbon barrel, while watching skilled tradesmen build barrels from start to finish!
Note** We don’t have a lot of pictures to share here, as the cooperage does not allow photography inside the facility. This is one you’ll mostly have to see for yourself! **
What we love!
The Most Important Part of Bourbon
While bourbon is just one of many types of whiskey, it is the best type of whiskey, and the one with the strictest rules. One of those rules is that the bourbon must be stored in a new, charred white American oak barrel. With a handful of distilleries producing thousands of barrels of bourbon a day, they all have to come from somewhere! The Kentucky Cooperage tour allows you to see these bad boys made at scale with a high level of craftsmanship.
Not your standard production tour
Something Different
We often hear that after a few days of touring distilleries, visitors will run into a lot of repeat information about Kentucky, the rules of making bourbon, and the like. And they will get bored of production tours. The Kentucky Cooperage tour in Lebanon KY is quite the opposite, as you really don’t see barrel making at any distilleries. This experience is one that adds to any bourbon lover’s knowledge and fact-sheet, and will give you a whole new appreciation for the barrel.
A centuries-old tradition!
The Craftsmanship
People have been storing food and whiskey in barrels for at least 500 years. So, barrel making is a centuries-old tradition. With that, it’s a lot like making bourbon! It’s a perfect, yet imperfect, way of doing things that requires a ton of skill and maybe a little luck. It’s seriously cool seeing this tradition live on, and seeing how a company in the modern age uses both machine and man to achieve its goals of producing barrels!
Kentucky Cooperage Tour FAQ & Additional Info
Do you taste or sample whiskey on the ISC Kentucky Cooperage Tour?
Unfortunately, no whiskey on this one. This is a legit barrel factory that has loud machinery, fire, workers, etc. I imagine bourbon on the job would significantly raise their insurance. The good thing is, the cooperage is close to a few of our favorite distilleries! So, it won’t be long until you're back to drinking bourbon.
What distilleries are near the Kentucky Cooperage tour?
The cooperage is about 30 minutes south of Bardstown, so very close to the town's popular district. It is, however, very close to Limestone Branch distillery and the (alleged) soon to be Jefferson’s distillery in Lebanon. Maker’s Mark is also fairly close, too! You can get there in about 15-20 minutes from the cooperage.
How to book and what day are tours available?
As of now, tours are available Monday - Fri. But this is always subject to change. You’ll have to check their website about tours times and availability, but we’re happy to check for you, too! You can add a tour here to most of our Bardstown tour & transportation packages.
Kentucky Cooperage Visitors Center
Open Mon - Fri
Location
711B E Main St, Lebanon, KY 40033