On our latest trip to Kentucky to visit bourbon distilleries, we noticed that they all talked about how important the barrels were to the process and how the flavor came... read more from the barrels. So, we thought, since we had seen how the bourbon was made, why not go and see how the barrels are made. We looked up cooperages online and saw that Kentucky Cooperage was just a short drive from Bardstown where we were staying. We booked a tour online and headed over. The tour starts in a showroom across the street and they take you over to the factory in a van. You must wear closed-toe shoes or you can't go. Before you go into the factory they give you headphones and a radio receiver so the tour guide can talk to you over the noise. The tour takes you through the barrel making process from beginning to end and is quite informative. My favorite part was watching them fire the inside of the barrels. I highly recommend this tour, as it kind of completes the visit to bourbon country. Note: It is HOT inside the factory! Dress for heat.

  I work for a bourbon tour company. I had the opportunity to take a bachelor party to ISC as part of a day's touring. It was fantastic. ... read more Great information sharing and made for a complete picture of the entire bourbon process. I highly recommend people include this if they have the time.

  With the exception of the no camera rule, it couldn’t be better. The guide was friendly and personable, everyone on the tour enjoyed it. Bought t shirts and char for... read more upcoming birthdays. Most interesting was how important the barrels are to making the spirits and it’s final outcome. Highly recommend this as just as important as a distillery tour

  We were in KY doing the bourbon trail and many of the distillers mentioned getting barrels from this place. As we had a morning open, we decided to... read more book a tour and are so happy we did. The tour is through the working barrel factory, so it is loud and can be a little hard to hear, but it is very worth the effort. They show you every part of the barrel making process they are allowed to (the little bit they don't show they describe very well). It is incredibly interesting. The highlight of the show was the burning of the barrels, it is so much more impressive in person than any video would imply. The tour guide was tremendous. Very personable, very upbeat and very, very knowledgeable about every part of the process. I don't think there was a question he couldn't answer and it was obvious he loved talking about making barrels. He was sincerely invested in making sure you had a good time. If you have time, it is a great way to tie together all the distillery tours.

  We were in KY doing the bourbon trail and many of the distillers mentioned getting barrels from this place. As we had a morning open, we decided to... read more book a tour and are so happy we did. The tour is through the working barrel factory, so it is loud and can be a little hard to hear, but it is very worth the effort. They show you every part of the barrel making process they are allowed to (the little bit they don't show they describe very well). It is incredibly interesting. The highlight of the show was the burning of the barrels, it is so much more impressive in person than any video would imply. The tour guide was tremendous. Very personable, very upbeat and very, very knowledgeable about every part of the process. I don't think there was a question he couldn't answer and it was obvious he loved talking about making barrels. He was sincerely invested in making sure you had a good time. If you have time, it is a great way to tie together all the distillery tours.

  One of our favorite experiences of our entire KY trip! So cool to see how these barrels are made and the craftsmanship involved.

  One of our favorite experiences of our entire KY trip! So cool to see how these barrels are made and the craftsmanship involved.

  Before or after you visit a dust, you should learn about the barrels. The tour is is very interesting and fun. You can watch the cooperage process from... read more beginning to end. The barrel charring process is particularly interesting. No photographs are allowed on the tour.

  This was a highlight of our bourbon trip. Definitely worth seeing. They have tours at 9, 10:30 and 1pm on weekdays only. Also a nice gift shop but wish they... read more had even more barrel related items - like an actual barrel or at least heads and staves.

  It’s a must see if you’re doing any part of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail !! Great tour, so informative, don’t pass this place without stopping.

  My husband and I are slowly doing the Bourbon Trail over a period of years and decided to see how the barrels were made. What an interesting and informative... read more tour. We saw the video then the tour. We saw how the staves were chosen and fitted in a circle, bound with hoops and the top and bottom added. Then the charring process which determines the flavor. We smelled like an outdoor charcoal barbeque for a while. So interesting how the barrels are recycled and used for other spirits and even shipped elsewhere in the world. All around a good learning experience.

  My husband and I are slowly doing the Bourbon Trail over a period of years and decided to see how the barrels were made. What an interesting and informative... read more tour. We saw the video then the tour. We saw how the staves were chosen and fitted in a circle, bound with hoops and the top and bottom added. Then the charring process which determines the flavor. We smelled like an outdoor charcoal barbeque for a while. So interesting how the barrels are recycled and used for other spirits and even shipped elsewhere in the world. All around a good learning experience. …