Stitzel Weller Distillery Tours
A tour company's tips, reviews, FAQs, and more!
Stitzel-Weller Distillery and Tour Information
If you’ve never done a Stitzel-Weller tour, or if you’re just discovering the distillery, odds are some of the names that appear in its history books might ring a bell. During your visit, you’ll hear names tossed around like Weller, Van Winkle, and the Stitzel family. You’ll find that the distillery was a culmination of these bourbon legends pre and post-prohibition legacies. Now, the distillery is home to Blade & Bow Whiskey, I.W. Harper, and Orphan Barrel! So the Stitzel-Weller Distillery offers a unique chance to learn about these distillery greats, while engaging with a number of modern whiskey brands.
A Brief History
Stitzel Weller Distillery
Stitzel-Weller opened its doors in the mid 1930s following the ending of prohibition. The distillery was the vision of one of the fathers of modern bourbon, Jullian Van Winkle (yes that one), who purchased Weller and Son’s bourbon distribution after the retirement of its founder, William L Larue. The distribution company, along with Van Winkle, salesman Alex Farnsley, and distiller Arther Stitzel, are known to be the founding members of the distillery.
The company operated (at face) as the Old Fitzgerald distillery. This distillery produced some iconic brands such as Old Fitzgerald, W.L Weller, Old Rip Van Winkle, Cabin Still, and Rebel Yell. And within 3 decades of opening, the 3 major founding members of the distillery had passed on. Now facing the decline of the bourbon industry through the 60’s and 70’s, the heirs to the distillery moved on selling off the property and its key brands.
After the property changed hands several times, it eventually found itself with its current owners, Diageo. After several years of operating as the home base for its core bourbon brand, Bulleit Bourbon, the distillery was revamped with a focus on another brand, Blade & Bow. Blade & Bow was created to honor the legacies of the founding fathers of bourbon that once called Stitzel-Weller home.
You can now hear tales of all of the fantastic whiskies and legacies that passed through this gorgeous property. And you can taste the brands that currently call this historic location home.
Stitzel-Weller Tour & Campus Information
The Stitzel Weller Campus
The campus here consists of several barrel warehouses, a distillery, a small-scale distillery, a bar, giftshop, and visitors center. There are a few other buildings and features you would see on a Stitzel-Weller tour, but we don’t like to give everything away!
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What to Expect?
The Stitzel Weller Tour focuses a lot on its history, as it very well should. This is more of a history tour than a production tour, though you will see a scaled down version of the bourbon production process. The Stitzel Weller Tour ends with a tasting of several whiskeys from Diageo’s portfolio, including Bulleit and Blade & Bow.
Stitzel-Weller Additional Info & FAQ
What makes a Stitzel-Weller Distillery Tour Unique?
You can’t replicate the history of this place. While some of the distilleries may have purchased the namesakes, Van Winkle, Old Fitzgerald, Weller, etc. this is where they all came to fruition. The campus is absolutely gorgeous, welcoming, and expertly-curated. It’s hard to find another place like this in the city limits.
What kinds of tour experiences does Stitzel-Weller offer?
Stitzel Weller has its flagship tour, which is the Stitzel-Weller experience. They also offer a walking tour, which is a bit longer and has more premium whiskeys. In addition, you’ll find a variety of mixology courses, tasting experiences, and special events. You can check the Stitzel-Weller website for up-to-date information on current tours, availability, and offerings. Or, if you're inquiring about a bourbon tour with transportation, we can let you know your options!
What else is there to do at Stitzel Weller?
Good question! Guests are always welcome at the visitors center. Here they can find multiple bars, a well-stocked gift shop, a sort of mini museum, and much more! They have also recently opened their upstairs bar, the Garden and Gun Club, where you can enjoy cocktails and light bites.
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What days can you do a Stitzel-Weller Distillery Tour?
Stitzel-Weller runs several tours throughout each day that it’s open. Hours are shorter on Sunday, and they are closed 1-2 days throughout the week. Tours may be a little more difficult to book on the weekends and the closer it gets to your travel dates.
How to book a Stitzel-Weller Tour
Bookings for a Stitzel-Weller tour can be made directly on their website. Unfiltered KY Tours offers visits to Stitzel-Weller on any of our Louisville tours, or tours that start from Louisville! This includes any of our custom tours or pick-3 options.
Stitzel-Weller Distillery
Hours: Mon, Weds - Sat: 9-5:00 PM | Sun: 12-5
Closed: Tues & Weds
Location
3860 Fitzgerald Rd, Shively, KY 40216