Plan Your Frankfort KY Distilleries & Bourbon Experiences
As the capital of Kentucky, Frankfort has a lot of history and a lot of bourbon. Explore some of the world’s most famous distilleries today!

guide to bourbon in frankfort, kentucky
Learn about the city of Frankfort, plan your trip, and view a bourbon-filled itinerary below.
Frankfort is the capital city of the Commonwealth of Kentucky and the seat of Franklin County. It is located in the inner Bluegrass region of Central Kentucky near an S-curve in the Kentucky River.
Bourbon in and Around Frankfort
Book a tour at one of these world-class distilleries and taste some of the best bourbon around.
Fun Facts about frankfort
- In Frankfort, Jim Beam’s bottling plant in Frankfort fills over 100 brands of spirits for distribution all over the world.
- Frankfort’s Rebecca Ruth Candy is the birthplace of the iconic bourbon ball. The sweet delicacy was created by Ruth Hanly Booe in 1938; the candy store opened in 1919.
- Historic architecture includes two Capitol buildings, Governor’s mansions, the region’s only Frank Lloyd Wright house, and the home of John Brown (Kentucky’s first U.S. Senator). Frankfort also has one of Kentucky’s few remaining original covered bridges, the Switzer Bridge.
- The popular phrase ‘dog is man’s best friend’ was coined by George Graham Vest, a Frankfort native, lawyer, and U.S. Senator. He uttered the phrase during his closing arguments in a trail seeking damages for killing a dog.
- On June 25, 2021, the City of Frankfort launched The MIX District. In this Entertainment Destination Center, participating downtown restaurants and bars are allowed to serve open-container alcoholic beverages to-go on Thursday and Fridays from 4:30 to 11 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
- Based on population, Frankfort is the 5th-smallest state capital in the U.S.
- Frankfort is steeped in bourbon history, its quaint downtown is friendly and walkable.
- The Kentucky River makes an S shaped curve and runs right through the downtown historic area.