From Barrel to Bottle: Must-Visit Distilleries in Covington
Not only is Northern Kentucky an Official Gateway to the Kentucky Bourbon Trail® and home of The B-Line®, a self-guided bourbon tour comprising nearly 30 stops and stretching from Covington to Maysville, it is also home to a very active distillery scene.
From the laid-back, dog-friendly atmosphere of Bellevue’s Three Spirits Tavern to the upscale, tailored air of Hotel Covington’s Knowledge Bar & Social Room located in North by Hotel Covington, the special-occasion vibe of Dutch-inspired Lisse Steakhuis in Mainstrasse with its impressive lineup of bourbons, and the historic-meets-modern ambiance of Newport’s Pensive Distilling Co., Northern Kentucky has dozens of venues to tempt and tease first-time distillery visitors and bourbon connoisseurs alike.
Tutor your palate
Step inside Ludlow’s Second Sight Spirits, one of the area’s most original distilleries with its custom still built by owners Rick Couch and Carus Waggoner to resemble a fortune-telling Zoltar replete with a giant crystal ball.
Distillery tours highlight that mystical quality while delving into the distillation process and the owners’ Las Vegas days creating shows like Cirque Du Soleil’s LOVE and Viva Elvis. Tours include a tasting of Second Sight Spirits’ bestselling Oak Eye Kentucky Bourbon, a four-grain whiskey that “trends a little sweeter,” according to Waggoner.
“The nose is rich, revealing notes of oak, caramel, vanilla, and a hint of fruit,” he said. “On the palate, oak takes center stage, gradually giving way to a touch of vanilla. Its smooth texture unfolds into layers of baking spices and caramel. The finish lingers with gentle warmth, accentuating oak, cherry, and a subtle hint of spice.”
Newport’s New Riff Distilling offers several tours that take visitors behind the scenes and into the barrel warehouse, including The Hits: A Guided Tasting Experience. Tasters sip four New Riff Whiskey expressions, including their flagship Bottled-In-Bond Bourbon and Bottled-In-Bond Rye, learning the flavor, aroma, and story of each one.
New Riff co-founder Jay Erisman has a few tips to elevate the experience for tastings such as this one and others.
“Let the whiskey present itself to you in the best way it possibly can—and that is always without chill filtration,” he said. “I want to taste whiskey in its purest form: straight, with no ice, and I’ll hit it with a bit of water.”
Erisman also recommends bourbon drinkers learn to taste rye whiskey, a flavoring grain found in some quantity in most bourbons.
“By drinking rye whiskey and learning to taste it, you’ll make yourself a better bourbon drinker,” Erisman said.
Learn the science
Behind the magic and mystique of bourbon methodology lies the science—and visitors to Wenzel Whiskey in Covington can learn some of its secrets during the distillery’s Boutique Blending Experience. As Master Blender, you’ll try four different barrel-proof samples from different distilleries on a mission to create your own blend of bourbon. Love it? Wenzel’s will fill a bottle or case for you to take home.
In addition to custom bourbon experiences, Northern Kentucky has unique offerings among other spirits, including New Riff Distilling’s Kentucky Wild Gin. Distilled with botanicals native to the Ohio Valley region that have been locally foraged—including the juniper berries of the Eastern Red Cedar and the buds of the American spicebush—it is a gin borne of the land, one that imparts an ancient flavor unique to this part of the world, and one that tells the story of Kentucky.
Broaden your research
Take your bourbon exploration on a day trip to nearby bars and bourbon retailers, beginning with a stop at Bellevue’s Party Source. The country’s largest retailer of beer, wine, and spirits is well known for its exceptional collection of bourbons. Local bourbon enthusiasts flock to The Party Source for its monthly bourbon drawing and regular bourbon tastings at The Merchant's Club, the cocktail lounge and bar located at the back of the store.
Venture further south along The B-Line to Augusta, a charmer of a river town and home to the historic Beehive Augusta Tavern. Order a signature Old Fashioned to sip while listening to live music, or relax on the patio and watch the Augusta Ferry chug across the Ohio River.
You’ll be a stone’s throw from Becker & Bird Winery® Distillery. Order a Bullfrog Punch, a refreshing blend of Becker & Bird American Revolution Baby Bourbon and limeade, sink into a rocking chair, and soak up the history. The distillery shares grounds with America’s oldest commercial winery—and the only winery that has survived a Civil War battle—with a cellar that is the largest and oldest in the country.
Northern Kentucky offers a unique bourbon experience for every enthusiast, from distillery tours to custom blending and local spirits. Don’t wait—gather your friends, hit The B-Line®, and dive into the flavors and history of this bourbon-rich region.
