Finding the Home of Wild Turkey Bourbon

As a bourbon lover, I’ve always been fascinated by the distilleries that produce my favorite brown spirits. And one distillery in particular has always intrigued me – the famed Wild Turkey Distillery in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky Wild Turkey has such a storied history and produces some of the boldest, most flavorful bourbons out there So I’ve long wanted to make the pilgrimage and see where the wild turkey roosts!

Recently, I finally got the chance to visit the iconic Wild Turkey distillery and discover exactly where this beloved bourbon is made. In this article, I’ll share all the details of my visit so you can experience the home of Wild Turkey bourbon for yourself!

A Bit of History on Wild Turkey

First, a quick history lesson. Wild Turkey has been crafting bourbon since the 1940s when Thomas McCarthy first started distilling whiskey in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky The distillery was originally called the Old Hickory Distillery.

In 1952, Thomas McCarthy met master distiller Jimmy Russell and the two joined forces to create the smooth, full-flavored bourbon that would eventually become Wild Turkey. The name Wild Turkey came from a friend of the distillers who was on a wild turkey hunt and enjoyed a few glasses of their whiskey. When he tasted it, he exclaimed “That’s wild turkey!” And the name stuck.

Jimmy Russell continues to serve as the longest-running active master distiller in the bourbon industry, imparting his expertise into every bottle. And in 2021, his son Eddie Russell also became an official master distiller, making the Russells the first father and son master distilling team in history.

Locating Wild Turkey’s Distillery

The Wild Turkey distillery is located in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, tucked into the hills of Anderson County. Lawrenceburg sits along the Kentucky River, about halfway between Lexington and Louisville.

The distillery’s address is:

1417 Versailles Road
Lawrenceburg, KY 40342

It’s very easy to reach from major highways and interstates including I-64 and US 127. Wild Turkey is just a short drive from Lexington Frankfort, Bardstown and other popular bourbon destinations, making it a convenient addition to any Kentucky bourbon trail experience.

If coming from Louisville, it’s just a quick 45 minute drive down I-64 and 127 South. From Lexington, you’ll also take 64 West and 127 South for about 40 minutes until you arrive in picturesque Lawrenceburg.

Recognizing Wild Turkey Upon Arrival

Recognizing the iconic Wild Turkey distillery once you reach Lawrenceburg is simple. Just look for the eye-catching red and green buildings nestled into the rolling Kentucky hills along the river.

The trademark red and green colors stem from the Ripy family who originally owned the distillery starting in 1869. And Wild Turkey has proudly kept the tradition alive.

As you drive up, you’ll immediately spot the bright red administration building, distinctive rickhouses painted in green, and the stunning modern visitors center shaped like a tobacco barn.

The visitors center’s unique architecture and floor-to-ceiling windows provide breathtaking views of the distillery grounds and the Kentucky River. Definitely have your camera ready when you arrive!

Exploring Inside the Grounds

Once at the distillery, I highly recommend taking a tour. Tours run from Wednesday to Saturday and cost only $20 per person. For that price, you’ll get an in-depth look at bourbon production and history, plus tastings of award-winning whiskey.

Some tour highlights include:

• Step inside the iconic rickhouses and see thousands of aging bourbon barrels stacked to the ceilings. You’ll learn about the critical aging process and how elevation impacts each barrel’s flavor.

• Peek into Camp Nelson, the oldest rickhouse, and see char marks on its wood beams from a fire in 1996. The rickhouse survived and is still in use today. Talk about history!

• Check out the 1930s era buildings that Jimmy and Eddie Russell still use to craft bourbon by hand in small batches. It’s amazing to see how traditional methods are still used.

• Visit the picturesque Kentucky River overlook for stunning views of the distillery and surrounding hillsides.

• And of course, the tour ends with a guided tasting of premium Wild Turkey bourbons like rare single barrels that you can’t find anywhere else.

In addition to tours, there’s an intriguing visitors center museum that dives deeper into Wild Turkey’s lore and legacy with historical artifacts, videos, displays and more. It’s free to explore and open Monday to Saturday.

And before leaving, pop into the gift shop. It’s stocked with every Wild Turkey bottle imaginable, fun merchandise like barrel-shaped glassware, and even exclusive single barrel selections. I picked up a few mementos and extra bourbon to enjoy later.

Enjoying Local Accommodations

If you really want to immerse yourself in the Wild Turkey experience, I recommend staying right on site! The distillery offers six lodging houses that sleep between 6 to 14 guests and can be rented out.

Each house has WiFi, a fully stocked kitchen, patio with grill, and lots of Wild Turkey details. Just picture sipping bourbon on your deck while looking over the very rickhouses it aged in. Doesn’t get much cooler than that!

There are also several nice hotels in Lawrenceburg just a quick drive from the distillery, like the Comfort Inn, Hampton Inn, Holiday Inn Express, and Best Western.

And be sure to check out restaurants and bars downtown for good food, drinks, and that welcoming small-town charm. Bourbon n’ Toulouse has Cajun fare and 100+ bourbons, while Agave & Rye is popular for tacos and margaritas.

Satisfying Your Cravings

Visiting the Wild Turkey distillery was an incredible experience as a bourbon fan. Now, not only can I enjoy their whiskey at home, but I have vivid memories of walking through those rickhouses and seeing firsthand how my favorite spirit is crafted.

I highly recommend heading to Lawrenceburg, Kentucky to tour the Wild Turkey grounds yourself. From the history and architecture to the smells of fermenting mash and aging barrels, it fully immerses you in the bourbon making process. It satisfied my whiskey wanderlust and gave me an even deeper appreciation for Wild Turkey’s traditions and smooth flavor.

So next time you sip a glass of Wild Turkey 101, close your eyes, and remember you’re tasting the product of decades of distilling expertise in the rolling hills of the Bluegrass State. The dedicated people and rich processes involved in crafting each bottle of Wild Turkey are truly something special. I’m already eager to return for another memorable visit!