Wild Turkey Distillery Tours
Lawrenceburg, KY
Wild Turkey Distillery Tours, Review, & Information
If you’re reading this, you have tried or (at least) have heard of Wild Turkey Bourbon. That’s because for nearly a century, Wild Turkey has been an absolute workhorse in the spirits industry and has earned its place as one of the most recognizable whiskeys in the world. Here along the bourbon trail, folks have immeasurable respect for Wild Turkey and Russel’s products, and if you ask me (Chuck), 101 is the one shelf bourbon I’d buy for life if I could only pick 1.
So, now that we’ve gushed about the bourbon, let's get into what you’ll experience on a Wild Turkey distillery tour! And we’ll cover some information on the products, grounds, and visitors center.
What we love!
A Distillery with a View
When planning out a Frankfort-area trail day, we often tell people to make a Wild Turkey tour or visit your first stop. The visitors center sits atop Wild Turkey hill and offers a picturesque view of the Kentucky River valley and the historic Young’s High Bridge. You might get lucky and see the view with a little fog and a little bourbon in your hand. In addition, the new visitors center is fantastic, with a model still, staves galore, a gift shop and tasting bar. Just a lovely place!
Real folks. Real bourbon.
A Blue Collar Distillery & Tour
Once you get past the nice visitors center and overlook, you’ll realize that Wild Turkey is an actual bourbon factory. It’s not a showpiece like a few other places along the bourbon trail, and it has a rather blue collar feel. On a Wild Turkey Distillery tour, you’ll nerd out on yeast, see fermentation, walk up and down stairs, take a step inside a historic warehouse. The facility you’ll tour is a bit newer, so don’t expect a lot of rust and keep-out signs. But, this is 100% a working class distillery making whiskey for working class people. We like it.
Meet the Russell's
A Family Affair
Many distillery visitors get an added bonus of catching Wild Turkey’s legendary master distillery (and Bourbon Hall of Famer), Jimmy Russell, hanging out in the visitors center on certain days. He and his son, Eddie Russell, have contributed a combined century of service to bourbon-kind, and have made an immeasurable mark on the industry. A third generation Russell, Bruce, has also joined the distillery team in recent years; so, needless to say, the future of the Wild Turkey and Russell’s brands are in good hands.
Wild Turkey Tour FAQ & Additional Info
What kind of experiences are available at Wild Turkey Distillery?
The flagship tour at Wild Turkey is the Wild Turkey Distilling Co. Production Tour. There is also specialty experience that focuses on the warehouse, the “Born From the Barrel - Russell’s Reserve Immersion.” In addition, there are 2 elevated tasting experiences, 1 focused on Turkey products, and 1 focused on Russell’s products. You may see a speciality from time to time. All experience can be booked on the Wild Turkey Website.
Will you drink bourbon on a Wild Turkey Tour?
Of course you will! You drink bourbon on essentially every tour, and the Wild Turkey Tour is no different. At the end of the production tour, you will unwind in one of two tasting rooms where you will get to sample a rotating cast of flagship and premium bourbons. If there is something you want to taste after the tour, you can grab a pour at one of the two onsite bars, too!
Do you need a tour to visit Wild Turkey?
You do not! In fact, this is one of the distilleries in the region that we recommend visiting even if experiences are sold out. The property is welcoming, there are multiple bars, indoor and outdoor seatings, etc. If you do want a guided tour or tasting, be sure to book that in advance, but don’t hesitate to stop in when in the area.
What other distilleries are in the area?
The Wild Turkey Distillery is part of the Frankfort region (in our terms), or part of the Central Kentucky region according to the KDA. With that, there are a ton of other great distilleries in the region! Wild Turkey shares a town with Four Roses, but some of the nearby distilleries include Woodford Reserve, Castle & Key, Buffalo Trace, and others.
Wild Turkey Distillery Visitor Center
Open Weds - Sun
Location
1417 Versailles Rd, Lawrenceburg, KY 40342