If you are planning a trip to the Kentucky Bourbon Trail then save this post and follow r/DMVWhisky for future updates. Here is a list of some of the main distilleries on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail and what you can expect if you are hunting for hard-to-find, special release or allocated bottles.
Buffalo Trace
This is the big one. Everyday they have one of their allocated bottles available in the gift shop. It rotates between Weller Special Reserve, Eagle Rare, E.H. Taylor Small Batch, and Blanton’s Single Barrel. They post each days release here. There is also a website BuffaloTraceDaily that tracks them and offers predictions for what will be released tomorrow. While people often line up early before they open I don’t think this is needed anymore. For the past few months they have been restocking their shelves all day and rarely run out before closing. Occasionally Buffalo Trace will put out limited release bottles like their Single Oak Project, but these typically go fast. One thing to note is that the allocated bottles are limited to one of each per person every 90 days. They scan your ID when you purchase preventing you from getting the same bottle again before your 90 days “jail” time is up.
Heaven Hill
Heaven Hill does random drops that vary every week. Some of them are really good like Old Fitzgerald or their Heritage 18. Often it is the Elijah Craig Barrel Select Single Barrel (the Grenade) which is an exclusive at the distillery. There are often very long lines every morning before they open and their stock for the day runs out pretty quick. They have been known on occasion to restock some during the day, but I would not count on it. If you want a limited release then you should plan to get in line before opening. Check out this newer post for an in-depth discussion on What to know about the Heaven Hill Distillery allocated daily drops
Old Forester
Old Forester will occasionally offer their limited releases in their gift shop. The tours sell out fast so you have to book it months in advance. They also will randomly drop bottles so it is always worthwhile to stop in.
Michter’s
Michter’s does an occasional special release but it isn’t every day and it can be random when they do it during the day. Recently they have had their 10 Year Bourbon and 10 Year Rye as well as their Bomberger’s and Shenk’s releases. When they have them they sell out quickly. They also offer a limited number of Bottle Your Own Bourbon (BYOB) each day where you can sign up to bottle your own US*1 Small Batch Bourbon straight from a barrel and create your own custom label for it.
Jim Beam
Jim Beam usually has a special release or distillery only release in their gift shop. They have plenty of stock and I have never seen a line. Recently they have had their Jim Beam Lineage 15 year. It costs 250, comes in a really cool wooden box and is one of the best bourbons I have ever tasted. They also have most of their other releases available like the Legent Yamazaki and Bookers. Their bar lets you taste anything they have so you can try before you buy.
Pursuit Spirits
Pursuit Spirits is worth mentioning as they offer a unique tour and bottle. They offer a tour called The Whole Shebang! Tasting + Barrel Pick + Fill Your Own Bottle. During it you taste multiple Pursuit United Private Select bourbon and rye whiskeys straight from the barrel. You choose your favorite and fill your bottle the old fashioned way by hand with a whiskey thief. Then head over to the bottling line to cork, label, and seal it as a one-of-a-kind souvenir. The bottle is included in the price.
Willett, Maker’s Mark, Woodford Reserve, Four Roses, Wild Turkey, etc.
Many of the other distilleries like these will occasionally offer a special release at their distillery but these are rare. Sometimes on the week of a new release or during a special event like National Bourbon Day, but even then you can’t count on it. For example: Years ago Willett would occasionally sell a Willett Family Estate Single Barrel (purple top) at their gift shop but not anymore. All Willett now has is the standard selection of all of their regular bottles. They do have almost every purple top available for tasting at their bar upstairs which I highly recommend checking out during your visit. Maker’s Mark does offer the ability to hand dip your own bottle in wax which is a unique option.