Visiting Maker’s Mark Distillery is more than just a bourbon tasting; it’s a step into one of the most iconic and scenic destinations on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. A Maker’s Mark Distillery Tour takes you behind the scenes of their time-honored bourbon-making process, from mash to bottle. You’ll enjoy generous tastings of their signature expressions, including classic pours and limited-edition releases. Set on the 1,100-acre Star Hill Farm in Loretto, Kentucky, Maker’s Mark is a beautifully preserved historic site, complete with rolling hills, a peaceful creek, and signature red shutters adorning its black buildings.
Begin your adventure with a Maker’s Mark Distillery Tour, diving deep into the craft of bourbon from grain to glass. See firsthand time-honored techniques and signature flavors that helped put Kentucky bourbon on the map. As you travel the Bourbon Trail, you’ll have the chance to sample a wide variety of bourbons, uncover unique flavor profiles, and develop a deeper appreciation for the artistry behind each bottle. Fall is also when the region comes alive with the Kentucky Bourbon Festival, an annual celebration featuring tastings, live music, and spirited events that attract bourbon lovers from around the world.
For a peaceful alternative to in-town lodging, escape the crowds and stay with us at Maple Hill Manor, a romantic bed and breakfast in Kentucky on a picturesque horse farm. Located just minutes from Maker’s Mark Distillery, our historic inn offers the perfect home base for your bourbon adventure. After a day of touring and tasting, return to the quiet beauty of the countryside, where you can unwind in elegant comfort in one of our seven luxurious guest rooms. Book your stay today!
Plan Ahead for your Maker's Mark Distillery Tour this Fall
While you’re welcome to visit the grounds and some of the buildings of Maker’s Mark, access to guided tastings requires a reservation. To fully enjoy the Maker’s Mark Distillery Tour experience, including behind-the-scenes insights and curated bourbon tastings, be sure to book in advance.
This fall brings an extra reason to visit: Chihuly at Maker’s Mark returns from July 17 through December 7, 2025, offering visitors a rare chance to experience world-renowned glass art beautifully integrated into the distillery’s scenic setting. For all tours, please arrive at least 20 minutes prior to your scheduled tour time with valid identification to verify your age.
Unique Maker’s Mark Distillery Tours This Fall
- The Maker’s Mark Tour is the most popular Maker’s Mark Distillery Tour. This 1-hour and 15-minute guided experience takes you through the campus, exploring the brand’s history and production process. It concludes with a curated bourbon tasting.
- The unique Wax Drips and Honey Tour highlights the vital role of honey bees in the ecosystem of Star Hill Farm. You’ll explore pollinator habitats and beehives, then enjoy a signature cocktail paired with charcuterie.
- In the 90-minute Star Hill Farm Tour, you’ll learn about Maker’s Mark’s commitment to regenerative agriculture while enjoying a selection of bourbon tastings along the way.
- The immersive Behind the Bourbon Tour takes you deep into the production process, from grain to bottle, offering a more technical and detailed look at how their handcrafted bourbon is made. Many visitors say this is their favorite Maker’s Mark Distillery tour!
- The Remarkable Experience is the most expansive option available; this 2.5-hour experience begins with a welcome cocktail and guides guests on a progressive tasting journey across Star Hill Farm. It’s a deep dive into the heritage and flavor of Maker’s Mark.
- Follow the winding path of Whisky Creek during the Whisky Creek Walking Tour while sipping three pours of Maker’s Mark. Along the way, your guide will share stories about the history and culture of Star Hill Farm.
- For a truly memorable afternoon, book the Star Hill Farm to Glass & Table Experience. Pair your Maker’s Mark Distillery Tour with a three-course, farm-to-table lunch. Each dish is expertly matched with a custom-crafted cocktail, celebrating the connection between flavor and bourbon.
- The American White Oak From Sip to Seed tour is perfect for those fascinated by the science of oak, whiskey aging, and sustainability. It includes a welcome cocktail, two wood-finished pours, and even a chance to “thieve” bourbon straight from the barrel.
No matter which Maker’s Mark Distillery Tour you choose, you’re guaranteed an unforgettable experience that showcases the beauty of Star Hill Farm and the rich tradition behind every bottle. Book your tour early, as fall slots fill quickly!
More Bourbon Trail Distilleries near our Bed and Breakfast
- Book a tour early at Willett Distillery, a top-tier small batch distillery in Bardstown offering in-depth tours. Guests rave about The Bar at Willett having the best restaurant and bar along the Bourbon Trail.
- Make a stop at Kentucky Cooperage. While it’s not a distillery, it plays a vital role in the bourbon-making process. This is one of the rare places where you can watch skilled craftsmen build the charred oak barrels that are essential to aging Kentucky bourbon.
- A visit to Limestone Branch Distillery is a standout stop on the Bourbon Trail. This intimate, Beam-family-owned craft distillery blends rich history, hands-on insight into heirloom corn and rye distillation, exclusive barrel-pick experiences in its new Tasting Lodge, and warm, homegrown hospitality.
- A visit to Log Still Distillery offers a unique blend of craft bourbon just outside Bardstown, a rich family history, and a scenic campus complete with a music venue, event spaces, and farm-to-table dining, all in one unforgettable stop.
- Your final stops bring you to Bardstown, proudly known as the Bourbon Capital of the World. Begin at Heaven Hill, a legendary distillery and heritage site featuring interactive exhibits, a world-class tasting room, and the unique opportunity to bottle your own bourbon. Just down the road, Lux Row Distillers blends modern innovation with deep brand history, offering a diverse lineup of labels and thoughtfully curated tastings. For a quieter, more artisanal experience, visit Preservation Distillery, where small-batch, 100% pot-distilled bourbon is crafted on a 40-acre historic tobacco farm. Their intimate tours focus on sustainability, craftsmanship, and rare vintage expressions that are difficult to find elsewhere.
When you stay at Maple Hill Manor Bed and Breakfast in Kentucky, you’ll be perfectly situated near the top bourbon distilleries in the Bardstown area. After a memorable Maker’s Mark Distillery Tour, return to the peaceful charm of our countryside retreat to enjoy coffee and dessert, then unwind in your elegantly appointed guest room. Each morning begins with a hearty, farm-fresh breakfast made with locally sourced ingredients; an ideal way to fuel up before another day on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. Reserve your room today!
