A record number of 2.7 million people visited the Kentucky Bourbon Trail in 2024 as it celebrated its 25th anniversary.
Visitors came from all 50 states and more than 20 countries across six continents last year, up from 2.5 million tourists in 2023, the third straight year topping the two million mark, according to the Kentucky Distillers’ Association.
“The combination of American history, picturesque scenery and legendary Kentucky hospitality continues to attract people from all over the world to get a deeper look into what makes our bourbon family so special,” Eric Gregory, president of the Kentucky Distillers’ Association, said in a news release.
More than 20 million people have visited a Bourbon Trail distillery since it was founded with seven distilleries in 1999. Today, 60 distilleries are on the trail.
The tasting room of the Kentucky Artisan Distillery. It is one of the newer spots on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail and is the closest to Louisville. A smaller operation that aims to distill the old-fashioned way. Sept. 3, 2024
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“Our Bourbon Trail distillers, from the largest to the smallest, continue to create new ways for visitors to experience our mellow, amber nectar,” Gregory said in the release. “There’s more to do, see, and taste than ever before.”
Here’s a breakdown on the demographics of the people who have visited the Kentucky Bourbon Trail:
Who visited the Kentucky Bourbon Trail?
62% of Kentucky Bourbon Trail visitors have incomes above $100,000
76% of visitors are from outside of Kentucky
Most visitors stay three to five days in communities featuring a Bourbon Trail distillery
Visitors spend between $600 and $1,400 during their trip on dining, entertainment, lodging and transportation
Historically, trail visitors come from states within a six-hour drive from Kentucky. But in 2024, distilleries saw a “surge” of visitors from states outside that drive time, including California, Colorado, Florida, Louisiana, New York, and Pennsylvania, according to the Kentucky Distillers’ Association.
Visitors check out the tiny, ivy-covered rick house — a converted shipping container — at Limestone Branch Distillery during a July visit.
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“The Kentucky Bourbon Trail knows no limits in its popularity, and I can’t wait to see where it goes in our next 25 years,” Gregory said in the release. “The possibilities are endless, and we look forward to welcoming millions more to enjoy it, responsibly, of course.”
Reach food reporter Amanda Hancock at ahancock@courier-journal.com.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Record 2.7M people visited the Kentucky Bourbon Trail in 2024