Bourbon Tour From Jim Beam to Maker’s Mark Distillery

Travel the Kentucky Bourbon Trail® from the James B. Beam Distilling Co. to Maker’s Mark Distillery on a route that connects two defining names in bourbon history – and reveals the story that ties them together.

This phone-guided audio tour starts at Jim Beam and leads you through the rolling backroads of bourbon country, through Bardstown – the Bourbon Capital of the World – and down into the quiet countryside of Loretto. Early in the journey, you’ll hear from Bill Samuels Jr., son of the founders and former President of Maker’s Mark, whose firsthand perspective anchors the story of how bourbon has evolved in the modern era.

The story begins with the Beam family’s deep roots in bourbon history. Then, as the landscape opens up, the story shifts into Prohibition, its lasting impact, and the unlikely revival that followed.

By the time you reach Maker’s Mark, you’ll understand why it wasn’t just another distillery, but a turning point in bourbon history. Through insider voices and regional context, the drive connects what you’ve seen, what you’ve heard, and what you’re about to taste.

Along the way, you’ll have a chance to:

• Trace the Beam family’s influence across generations of bourbon-making
• Pass through Bardstown and hear how it became the center of American whiskey culture
• Learn how Prohibition reshaped the industry (and nearly erased it)
• Discover how Maker’s Mark broke from tradition to redefine bourbon’s flavor profile
• See rickhouses, working distilleries, and the landscapes that shape the spirit

By the time you arrive at Maker’s Mark, the distillery won’t just be your next stop – it’ll be the culmination of a story you’ve been following from Jim Beam.

Explore the Kentucky Bourbon Trail® at your own pace, and Make Your Drive Come Alive.