There’s only one way to truly get to know real bourbon—go straight to the source to see its home for yourself. Come visit us on top of Wild Turkey Hill, in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky
Wild Turkey distillery, the iconic Kentucky bourbon maker, has been undergoing major renovations and expansions over the past couple years. This has resulted in the temporary closure of their visitor center experience on Wild Turkey Hill Bourbon fans eagerly await the reopening, so when exactly will it happen?
Background on Wild Turkey Distillery
Wild Turkey has been crafting their signature bold bourbons at the Lawrenceburg, Kentucky distillery since the 1800s. The brand has become an iconic staple of American whiskey thanks to their quality juice and the legendary Master Distiller Jimmy Russell who has over 70 years of experience at Wild Turkey.
The distillery is also a founding member of the famous Kentucky Bourbon Trail, making it a bucket list destination for bourbon drinkers. The picturesque views overlooking the Kentucky River and warm Kentucky hospitality has made it a must-visit stop.
In recent years, Wild Turkey has invested over $160 million into renovating and expanding their Lawrenceburg campus in order to meet demand and continue growing. This includes doubling their production capacity.
Closure of the Wild Turkey Visitor Experience
As part of the ongoing revitalization of the campus, Wild Turkey temporarily closed their visitor center experience in early 2022. This included closing tours, tastings, and the gift shop.
The original visitor center had become outdated as bourbon tourism boomed. The distillery wanted to fully reimagine the experience and create a world-class, state-of-the-art destination for welcoming guests.
Bourbon fans have been patiently awaiting news of when the new visitor experience would open back up. Excitement built after Wild Turkey first teased the renovations in May 2021, but COVID-related delays have pushed back the originally targeted reopening date.
What Will the New Visitor Experience Include?
Wild Turkey has revealed details of the stunning new amenities planned for their reopened visitor experience, now called The Jimmy Russell Wild Turkey Experience.
Some highlights include:
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An outdoor pavilion and terrace overlooking the Kentucky River
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A video history walk tracing bourbon milestones
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Contemporary cocktail lounge with river views
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Expanded tour offerings highlighting their products
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New tasting rooms guided by expert staff
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Retail shop with exclusive merch and limited releases
The renovated 12,000+ square foot space aims to make the most of Wild Turkey’s beautiful views, historic legacy, and exceptional whiskey lineup. It’s all designed to further embrace the welcoming Kentucky hospitality they’re known for.
The venue is fittingly named after Jimmy Russell to commemorate his 70 years of unwavering dedication to the brand. Visitors will get a sense of his charm and stories.
Target Reopening Date
Wild Turkey formally announced the opening of the Jimmy Russell Wild Turkey Experience on May 22, 2024. This means tours, tastings, and retail are now open to the public after being closed for over 2 years during renovations.
The newly updated destination is a major milestone in their campus expansion. It arrives just in time for the prime tourist season and will help Wild Turkey welcome even more bourbon drinkers into their family.
How to Visit the New Wild Turkey Experience
Now that the Jimmy Russell Wild Turkey Experience has reopened, here’s some key info for planning your visit:
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It’s located on Wild Turkey Hill in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky. Just 25 minutes from Lexington along scenic Tyrone Road.
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Operating hours are 9am to 3pm, Monday to Saturday. Closed on Sundays and select major holidays.
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Various tour options available, ranging from $15-$50 per person. Includes tastings of Wild Turkey’s bourbon and rye whiskeys.
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Reservations recommended and can be booked online in advance at WildTurkeyBourbon.com. Walk-ins also welcome if space allows.
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The retail shop features Wild Turkey merchandise unavailable elsewhere. Great spot to pick up exclusive bottlings.
Final Thoughts
The reopening of the Wild Turkey distillery’s visitor experience is a major milestone for the brand. After years of eager anticipation, bourbon lovers can finally enjoy the new renovated campus. The stunning new Jimmy Russell Wild Turkey Experience ushers in the next era for this iconic American whiskey maker.
With its prime location on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, unique heritage and expanded amenities, it’s bound to quickly become one of the must-visit distilleries in all of bourbon country. If you’re planning a trip to Kentucky, be sure to book a spot for a tour and tasting.
EXPERIENCE THE MAKING PROCESS
Here we pull back the curtain on making bourbon whiskey. Discover the complex process perfected by our Master Distillers. From the selection of our corn, barley and rye grains to the aging of our bourbon barrels, it’s a process that we love to share with enthusiasts and visitors from around the world.
DISCOVER THE HISTORY OF WILD TURKEY
A walk through our halls will unveil the compelling stories and time-honored traditions behind Wild Turkey’s unique past, with memorabilia dating back before Prohibition.
A walk through of Wild Turkey‘s NEW visitor center!
FAQ
Does Wild Turkey have distillery tours?
When did Campari buy Wild Turkey?
Is Wild Turkey still made?
Is Wild Turkey a bourbon or a whiskey?
Is wild turkey distillery reopening?
The long-awaited Wild Turkey Distillery Visitor Center has reopened after an extended closure, offering new tours and tastings! The impressive remodeled space includes a new gift shop, bar, tasting rooms, and a gorgeous outdoor patio overlooking the Kentucky River.
What happened to the wild turkey distillery visitor center?
The Wild Turkey Distillery Visitor Center had been closed, and tours had been cancelled, since early on in the COVID pandemic. However, the long awaited opening of the newly remodeled visitor center, and the resumption of tours, is now here!
Does Wild Turkey Distillery have a tour?
As this tour does not include a tour of the distillery production area, visitors may be interested in also booking the Wild Turkey Distillery Tour to see the entire operation. Tours can be booked online at wildturkeybourbon.com, and reservations are recommended.
What’s new at wild turkey visitor center?
The newly remodeled visitor center is impressive, with two floors, a new gift shop, a bar, tasting rooms and an expanded outdoor patio. The patio has more space & seating than before, great views of the Kentucky river, a fireplace, and yet another bar! Check out my short video of the new Wild Turkey Visitor center on Instagram or Facebook!