Danville, KY – Well, maybe not quite rock stars. But the partnership between founders Shane Baker and Pat Heist started in a rock band. While their rock and roll careers didn’t take off, their bourbon-making careers certainly did. Today, Wilderness Trail Distillery is the 14th largest bourbon producer in the US (also the world).
But you wouldn’t necessarily know it from being there. The visitor center is high-end rustic, with leather couches, a stone fireplace, and repurposed bourbon barrels for tables. There’s a large glass window providing a view into the distillery, much like you’d see in a small brewery. There are racks of merchandise and bourbon for sale in several different locations. All of this somehow comes together to create a handcrafted and homey feel.
A big part of that feel comes from the people who work there. They’re welcoming, knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and just plain nice. I’ve been there three times, and I always feel welcome and appreciated.
The Sweet Mash of Success
“Another unique distinction our whiskeys have is that we make a Sweet Mash instead of the Sour Mash technique. We were the first of Kentucky’s distillers to embrace the sweet mash process as our sole mashing technique. By not acidifying the mash, we can bring more flavors forward from the grains with a softer finish, just as in preparing a fine meal.”
https://wildernesstraildistillery.com/
The Tour
Guides Jamie and Xavier begin the tour with a sciency explanation of their spirit making process. It’s comprehensive and not boring at all. You’ll learn, among other things, that Wilderness Trail is a leader in yeast analysis for the industry – not just for their distillery but for others as well. I’m always impressed by how the Kentucky bourbon industry works together and supports each other.
From there, we take the short walk to the room where they keep the original still, used in production yet today. Then it’s up the stairs to view the large vats where the yeast is doing its magic and learn more about the distillation process. The guides do an excellent job of keeping everyone involved and engaged.
Next is the walk to the rickhouse – perhaps a quarter of a mile away. I share the distance because we had some people in our group who didn’t want to walk that far, so the guide let them drive over – pretty cool in my mind. Speaking of pretty cool, they have a pendulum in the rickhouse (pictured in this post) they use to make sure the building hasn’t shifted over time. Such a simple but effective way to make sure all that bourbon doesn’t come tumbling down.
The tour ended with a tasting of four spirits, with an option for a fifth. The weather was perfect, so we sat outside under a tent. It was a large group, and, again, the guides did an excellent job of providing individual attention. I’ve said this before, but a good guide makes all the difference in a tour experience.
Why You Should Visit
Wilderness Trail is a bit of a drive from Lexington and any other distillery, for sure. But it’s a beautiful drive, and the destination is even better. Plus, you get to spend time with people committed to their craft and delivering a first-rate distillery experience. To book your experience, click here.
