Taste of Bardstown Bourbon & Beer Walking Tour

Bardstown is small enough to explore on foot, and this tour gives you a useful reason to stop at several of its drinking spots in one afternoon. You’ll move from bourbon flights at Evergreen Liquors to cocktails, whiskey, beer, and a warm pretzel, with local guide Josh adding the town’s personal touch along the way.

I like the small group limit of eight, which should make it easier to hear Josh and ask questions. I also like the carefully chosen pours: exclusive tastings from Evergreen and Chicken Cock, a tour-only cocktail, an Elijah Craig pour, a Little Kings Creme Ale, and a craft beer flight.

The main drawback is the price, $152 per person, which is a serious spend for three hours. You’ll need to value the guided access, several alcoholic drinks, food pairings, and local advice, since extra food and drinks cost more.

Key points at a glance

• Six Bardstown stops: Visit Evergreen Liquors, Liam Ash Cocktail Emporium, Chicken Cock Whiskey Tasting Room, The Volstead Bourbon Lounge, Mr. Tubs Fine Cocktail Lounge, and Scout & Scholar Brewing Co.
• Exclusive pours: The package includes special Evergreen and Chicken Cock flights, plus a cocktail made for the tour.
• Josh leads the walk: The guide is a local who can add recommendations for other places in Bardstown.
• Food is light but useful: Expect a snack with the cocktail and a warm pretzel with the beer flight.
• Small afternoon group: The maximum is eight people, with a 3 p.m. start and an estimated three-hour length.
• The walk ends at a brewery: You finish at Scout & Scholar, not back at the starting point.

Why this Bardstown walking tour works

The appeal here is simple: you get a compact introduction to Bardstown’s drink scene without planning a route, making separate bookings, or worrying about what to order at each stop. The afternoon moves through different styles of Kentucky drinking, not just straight bourbon.

You’ll taste whiskey in several forms, but the stops also include cocktails, beer, a bourbon slushie, and a shot. That range matters. If one person in your group likes bourbon and another prefers beer or mixed drinks, this is easier to enjoy together than a single-distillery tasting.

The walk begins at Evergreen Liquors, 127 N 3rd St, at 3 p.m. It ends at Scout & Scholar Brewing Co. on 112 W Flaget St. Both addresses are in Bardstown, and the experience is built around walking between stops rather than riding in a vehicle.

The group cap of eight is one of the best practical details. A small party usually makes a tasting feel less rushed and gives you a better chance to speak with Josh. It also keeps the experience more personal than a large bus outing.

You should still pace yourself. The tour includes several alcoholic servings over three hours, and the exact pour sizes are not given. Eat a proper meal before or after if you need more than the included snack and pretzel.

Starting with four pours at Evergreen Liquors

Evergreen Liquors sets the tone with a flight of four special pours from local distilleries connected to Bardstown. This is a strong opening because a flight lets you compare several drinks rather than committing to one full pour at the first stop.

The focus is local. You are not simply receiving a generic bourbon sampler. The tasting is tied to distilleries in and around Bardstown, giving Josh a natural way to explain the drinks and point you toward other places worth visiting.

Since the tour includes this flight, you do not need to budget separately for the tasting itself. You can order more if you want, but extra drinks are not part of the price.

I would treat Evergreen as the place to pay attention to your pace. Four pours at the first stop can add up quickly, especially with several more tastings ahead. Take notes mentally, ask questions, and avoid treating the first flight as a race.

A tour-only cocktail at Liam Ash

The next stop, Liam Ash Cocktail Emporium, changes the rhythm. Here you receive a special cocktail made for tour participants, paired with a snack.

That pairing gives the afternoon a bit more balance. The snack is not described in detail, so do not count on a full meal, but it should help break up the alcohol and give you something savory or sweet to enjoy with the drink.

The special cocktail is one of the more distinctive inclusions. Bourbon tours often center on neat pours, but a cocktail shows how Kentucky whiskey can work in a mixed drink. It also gives you a break from comparing spirits on their own.

Because this drink is made specifically for the tour, you may not find it on the regular menu. That is part of the value of going with a guide who has arranged the stops in advance.

Chicken Cock’s exclusive whiskey flight

At the Chicken Cock Whiskey Tasting Room, you receive another flight created exclusively for the tour. This is the second major whiskey tasting, and it gives you another chance to compare pours after you have already tried the selections at Evergreen.

The two flights serve different purposes. Evergreen emphasizes local distillery connections, while Chicken Cock gives you a focused tasting at a dedicated whiskey room. For someone trying to understand bourbon and whiskey through examples, this side-by-side structure is more useful than one large tasting at a single venue.

You do not need to be an expert to enjoy this stop. The tour is designed as an introduction to Bardstown, and Josh can help put the pours into context. If you already know your bourbon, you may appreciate the chance to ask more specific questions or compare your favorites.

Again, remember that the tour includes the planned flight, not additional purchases. If you want a bottle, a larger pour, or something else from the room, that will be your own expense.

A choice at The Volstead Bourbon Lounge

The Volstead Bourbon Lounge adds a lighter, more playful stop. You receive either a refreshing Bourbon Slushie or a bold Game Changer shot.

The two options suit different moods. The slushie offers a cooler, easier-drinking change after the whiskey flights, while the shot is a quicker and stronger choice. The provided details do not explain how the choice is made, so you should be prepared for the option offered by the tour.

This stop helps keep the experience from feeling like a repeated tasting exercise. The afternoon has a clear progression: flight, cocktail, flight, then a frozen bourbon drink or shot. That variety is valuable at this price, especially if your group has mixed tastes.

It is also the point where pacing matters most. If you have already had the opening pours, cocktail, and Chicken Cock flight, a shot may not be the best choice for you. Choose the slushie if you want a gentler option, assuming it is available for your group.

Mr. Tubs pairs a shot with beer

Mr. Tubs Fine Cocktail Lounge offers a shot paired with a refreshing beer. The included beer is identified as Little Kings Creme Ale, and you also receive a pour of Elijah Craig as part of the package.

This is a fun contrast. You get the sharper character of a shot alongside a beer that can make the stop feel less heavy. It also broadens the tour beyond bourbon alone, which is useful if your interest is in Bardstown’s drinking culture rather than only whiskey production.

The stop is not presented as a full meal or a long sit-down break. Think of it as another tasting point in the walking route. If you need substantial food, plan to order something extra or eat separately, since additional food is not included.

For bourbon fans, the Elijah Craig pour gives the stop a recognizable whiskey reference. For beer drinkers, the Little Kings Creme Ale keeps the experience from becoming too spirit-heavy.

Finishing with beer at Scout & Scholar

The final stop is Scout & Scholar Brewing Co., at 112 W Flaget St. You finish with a flight of the brewery’s beers and a warm pretzel.

This is a sensible ending. After several whiskey pours and cocktails, a beer flight offers a different set of flavors and a slower finish. The pretzel is the most substantial food item included, though it is still a snack rather than a meal.

Ending at the brewery also gives you a clear place to continue your afternoon if you want more food or drinks. Any additional orders are your responsibility, but the location provides a natural finish rather than sending you back to the first stop.

The end point matters if you have a car parked near Evergreen. You will need to plan for the walk back or arrange another way to get there. The experience does not include transportation between the start and end points.

What the $152 price gets you

At $152 per person, this is not a bargain tasting. It is priced as a guided, multi-stop experience with arranged pours, local access, food pairings, and the convenience of having someone else handle the route.

The included package covers specialty cocktails, the Evergreen whiskey flight, the Chicken Cock flight, a Little Kings Creme Ale, a pour of Elijah Craig, and a craft beer flight. You also receive the snack at Liam Ash and the warm pretzel at Scout & Scholar.

That is a substantial amount of tasting over three hours, but you should compare it with your own likely spending. If you would order several drinks at separate bars, pay for multiple tastings, and hire a guide, the price may feel reasonable. If you would normally choose one distillery tasting and one beer, it may feel high.

The personal guidance is part of the purchase. Josh is described as a local who knows people around Bardstown and can suggest other places to visit. The tour also provides local recommendations beyond the stops themselves, which can help you plan the rest of your time.

A small swag bag of goodies is given at the end. It is a pleasant extra, but I would not use it as the main reason to book. The real value is the route, the included drinks, and the local guide.

Timing, group size, and walking practicalities

The tour starts at 3 p.m. and lasts about three hours. That places the finish around 6 p.m., though tasting times can vary.

The afternoon start gives you time to handle lunch, visit another Bardstown attraction, or simply arrive without rushing. You should be at Evergreen before 3 p.m., since the group is small and the stops are arranged in sequence.

The maximum group size is eight people. This is a good fit if you want conversation and a more direct connection with the guide. It may be less suitable if you prefer to explore alone or set your own pace at each bar.

The tour is offered in English and uses a mobile ticket. Most people can participate, but the supplied details do not specify the walking distance, seating at each stop, or other physical requirements. If those details matter to you, ask the provider before booking.

The experience requires good weather. If poor weather forces a cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund. The tour is outdoors between venues, so a weather check is sensible before you leave.

Who will enjoy this experience most

I would recommend this to you if you want an efficient first look at Bardstown’s bourbon, cocktail, and beer scene. It works especially well for couples, friends, and small groups who like trying many styles without having to choose every stop themselves.

It is also a good fit for people who want local guidance. Josh can offer recommendations for other places, and the route includes newer Bardstown venues as well as whiskey-focused stops. That gives the tour more range than a single tasting room visit.

You may want to skip it if you do not drink alcohol, want a full meal, or dislike moving through several venues in one afternoon. The food included is limited to a snack and pretzel, and additional food or drinks cost extra.

I would also think twice if you plan to drive immediately afterward. The tour includes many tastings, and the package does not mention transportation or a designated driver arrangement.

How to decide before booking

The strongest reason to book is the mix. You receive bourbon flights, a cocktail, beer, a slushie or shot, and snacks, all tied together by a local guide and a walk through Bardstown.

The strongest reason to hesitate is the cost. At $152, you are paying for structure and access as much as for the liquid in the glass. You should book when that convenience matters to you and your group.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the 3 p.m. start time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded, and the weather rule applies if conditions force the provider to cancel.

Should you book the Taste of Bardstown tour?

Book it if you want a social, small-group introduction to Bardstown and enjoy both bourbon and beer. Josh’s local connections, the tour-only pours, and the final brewery stop give the afternoon a clear personality.

Skip it if you want a cheaper tasting, a full meal, or a dedicated distillery visit with more time at one location. For the right group, though, the route saves planning time and gives you a well-balanced first afternoon in Bardstown.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

It starts at Evergreen Liquors, 127 N 3rd St, Bardstown, Kentucky 40004.

What time does the tour begin?

The tour starts at 3 p.m.

How long does the experience last?

It lasts approximately three hours.

Where does the tour end?

It ends at Scout & Scholar Brewing Co., 112 W Flaget St, Bardstown, Kentucky 40004.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is eight people.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes, the tour is offered in English.

What whiskey tastings are included?

The price includes a four-pour flight at Evergreen Liquors and an exclusive Chicken Cock whiskey flight.

What other drinks are included?

The package includes a specialty cocktail, a Bourbon Slushie or Game Changer shot at The Volstead, a Little Kings Creme Ale, a pour of Elijah Craig, and a craft beer flight.

Is food included?

Yes. You receive a snack with the cocktail at Liam Ash and a warm pretzel at Scout & Scholar. Additional food is not included.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Poor weather may also lead to a different date or a full refund.