Kentucky bourbon distilleries announce no more tours as COVID-19 precaution
Some of America’s most popular whiskeys announced on Thursday they are closing their distilleries to the public in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak.
Brown-Forman, based in Louisville, announced it will be suspending tours at its Woodford Reserve Distillery outside Frankfort and Old Forester Distillery in downtown Louisville beginning March 15.
Tours at Jack Daniel’s in Tennessee will be suspended beginning March 16.
“Our goal is to minimize the risk to employees and guests and help lower the probability of the spread of the virus to our employees, their families, and the communities where we operate,” the company announced. “Existing reservations that occur before these suspension dates will be honored. No walk-in tours.”
Brown-Forman on Friday announced it will suspend tours at all of its distilleries, at its Sonama Cutrer winery and at its cooperage after this weekend as well.
These closures will remain in place until the health emergency subsides, the company said. All tickets are refundable.
Lexington Brewing & Distilling Co., owned by Alltech, also announced it will close its visitors center beginning March 13 until further notice. Retail sales and tours will be suspended there.
Also in Kentucky, Jim Beam and Maker’s Mark, both owned by Beam Suntory, announced there will be no more tours. Jim Beam’s tourism headquarters is based in Clermont; the Maker’s Mark distillery is in Loretto.
“Beam Suntory is actively managing its response to the rapidly evolving COVID-19 pandemic, and we’re determined to do our part to support our communities and help contain the spread of the virus. Consistent with guidance from public health authorities to limit large gatherings, and given that our public tours include elements that bring groups together in relatively restricted spaces, we have temporarily suspended all visitation at the Jim Beam American Stillhouse,” the company said in a statement.
“We understand that this may be disappointing to our fans and we apologize for any inconvenience. Please be assured that we are taking this action out of an abundance of caution because the health and well-being of our employees and loyal brand fans is paramount. We look forward to resuming tours in the future.”
Maker’s Mark issued an similar statement; tours there will be suspended beginning March 16.
Four Roses announced that tours of the distillery in Lawrenceburg and the warehouse and bottling facility in Coxs Creek are suspended from March 14-29. Gift shops at both locations will close after 4 p.m. Sunday through the end of the month. Those who have booked tours will be contacted for refunds. Distillery operations and bourbon production will continue.
Wild Turkey in Lawrenceburg also announced it will close its visitors center to the public after Saturday until further notice. Whiskey production and bottling are unaffected, the distillery said.
Heaven Hill announced that the Bourbon Heritage Center in Bardstown and the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience in Louisville are suspending all tours and retail sales after Friday. Scheduled tours will be refunded. Production is operating as usual with added health and safety protocols.
Bourbon tourism has become a big economic driver for Kentucky, with nearly 2 million visits to the distilleries on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail and the Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour in 2019. Distilleries have invested millions in building visitors centers to handle the crowds, which come from all over the world.
The trail is planning to celebrate its 21st year with events beginning this spring.
The Kentucky Distillers’ Association, which manages the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, held a special meeting Thursday to urge members to take precautions “to protect the safety of guests and staff on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail tour from the coronavirus outbreak.”
Some members are temporarily suspending all tours, while others are scaling back tours of sensitive areas like production and bottling facilities, said KDA Board Chairwoman Jessica Pendergrass in a statement.
Production has not been impact at any distillery by the outbreak, the KDA said.
More than 70 percent of the visitors to the Kentucky Bourbon Trail distilleries come from outside Kentucky, according to the KDA and they spend between $400 and $1,200 during their trips.
No distillery has been linked to cases of COVID-19; as of March 11, Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services reported eight cases of coronavirus in the state.
This story was originally published March 12, 2020 at 2:07 PM.
