Beyond the Barrel: Walking Bourbon Food Tour with Food Pairings
Overview
Available languages
3 hours
Mobile ticket
Uncover the secrets of Kentucky bourbon! Go beyond the barrel to dive into bourbon's storied history - and learn all the stories they won't tell you on a Kentucky Bourbon Trail distillery tour.
Visit award-winning restaurants, scenic rooftop bars, and intimate tasting rooms in NuLu. Trace the origins of bourbon whiskey from its roots in the Appalachian foothills to today's thriving bourbon scene, and leave with a profound understanding of bourbon's cultural importance in Louisville, Kentucky and beyond.
Unlock bourbon's surprising versatility and depth of flavor through paired bites, pours, and cocktails, and land a few coveted tables at some of the most hard-to-book restaurants in town, including by James Beard winning and Michelin starred Chefs.
Perfect for both bourbon newcomers and seasoned enthusiasts, this guided walking tour offers an experience that you won't find at any bourbon distillery. Reserve your spot early to experience the world's only walking food & bourbon tour!
Additional Info
Wheelchair accessible
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
This tour is 21+ and infants are NOT allowed per Kentucky law.
Mocktail options available for non-drinkers, please message us to let us know.
Please note that the itinerary and menu is subject to change, based on the locations' availability, weather, and other circumstances.
Suitable for all fitness levels, but please note that this tour covers roughly 1 mile of walking.
Tours run in rain, shine, or snow unless weather becomes severe or constitutes a dangerous situation.
This tour can accommodate vegetarian, gluten-free and dairy-free options. Please notify us in advance at least 24h before the tour start time if you have any dietary restrictions.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
The unfiltered history of bourbon in Kentucky that they don't tell you on bourbon distillery tours
Upgrade available to add 4 rare and premium bourbon tastings to your tour
Opportunity to purchase rare, premium, and hard-to-find bourbon at a local bottle shop
Small group for a more personalized experience
Delicious paired bites at 5 of the best restaurants in NuLu, comprising a full dinner
Bourbon tasting and craft cocktails that showcase bourbon’s versatility
Gratuities
Transportation
Distillery visit
What To Expect
You'll begin your tour at the Church of Bourbon, seated in front of one of the largest bourbon collections in the world.
Taste Fine Wines & Bourbons
Begin the tour at a local bottle shop for a guided bourbon tasting and cheese plate. You'll also have the opportunity to shop for rare and premium bottles.
Options
Premium Bourbon Upgrade
Premium Bourbon Pours: Elevate your experience with 4 rare, top-shelf bourbon pours served throughout your tour.
Standard Ticket
Bourbon & Food Pairing Tour: Enjoy 3 bourbon cocktails and 2 tastings showcasing bourbon’s versatility, along with 8-10 delicious paired bites.
Reviews
126 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
A great way to see Louisville.
Amy H,
Aug 2, 2025
- Viator
5.00It was a lot of fun, the tour took us to wonderful spots I never would have found on my own. The drinks, the food and the company were all great! Cathy is a fun and really knowledgeable tour guide! This is a tour not to be missed.
Fun, factual and yummy!!
JohnorJen M,
Aug 1, 2025
- Viator
5.00Cathy, our guide was fun and full of facts. The food stops and bourbon pairings were excellent!! Saw parts of the city we wouldn’t have otherwise figured out for ourselves.
Food, bourbon and...
Norma F,
May 18, 2025
- Viator
5.00Food, bourbon and cocktails were delicious. Cathy did a great job explaining the nuances of each drink and food. I would take this tour again.
Potential here but didn’t deliver
Eileen A,
May 9, 2025
- Viator
3.00Food tours are my favorite way to explore a city and cuisine. Anna was an excellent host. She was enthusiastic, friendly, and had great stories to share with us. We started off at an amazing restaurant called The last refuge. Super cool old cathedral with great food and a tasty cocktail! It went down hill from there. The next place we went to had a two shots of 80-100 proof shots of Bourbon with a cheese plate that looked like a last minute decision for food. What? The next place was a Korean steakhouse…ok I’ll play. An interesting cocktail and two appetizers of wings and fried chicken dumplings. Not enough to absorb the alcohol..we were grateful for the water. The last stop was a rooftop bar in a hotel. We were served a delicious take on a mint julep and a delicious dessert. Overall I don’t feel like price reflected the experience. We even stopped at a speakeasy that would have been a fantastic stop. They don’t serve food but if cheese and water cracker is the bar..I’m sure they could come up with something. I usually am full after a food tour. Not so this time. There is potential here. But I don’t feel like we got our moneys worth.
Not worth it.
stephanie K,
Mar 29, 2025
- Viator
1.00It’s very overpriced. It is NOT a full dinner. It was 3 small snacks at 3 different places. The last one was at a Hilton hotel. Food was not even good. Very disappointing. It was a very expensive night for what we got. The tour guide was nice but she actually talked way too much. I was expecting more food and drinks and less talk for 170$ per person. Also our tour guide Cathy became political during the tour, which was in very poor taste.
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Operated by Louisville Food Tours