The Wild Turkey distillery itself is about 35 miles northwest of Camp Nelson. If you go there, and don’t approach it from east, you should drive past the distillery and across the Kentucky River. Enjoy the view, turn around, and enjoy the view coming back. Watch for people bungee-jumping from the old railroad bridge. You can also enjoy the view from the distillery side at the Wild Turkey visitor center.
In the center of downtown Lawrenceburg you will find the Kentucky Gentlemen Cigar Company, where they hand-roll cigars from tobacco that has been aged in bourbon barrels. Continue south on Main Street to see some of the mansions built by the Ripy family and other 19th century Anderson County bourbon barons.
Lawrenceburg’s other distillery is Four Roses. The warehouses you see there are actually Wild Turkey’s. They are just about all that is left of the Old Joe distillery. The warehouses for Four Roses are near Bardstown.
This part of Kentucky also has many wineries. Two in the Lawrenceburg vicinity are Lover’s Leap Winery and Rising Sons Home Farm Winery. At both places you can tour the vineyards and winery, and sample and purchase wine in the tasting room.
The main north-south drag through Lawrenceburg is U.S. 127. On it, you can either head north toward Frankfort or south to the Martha Layne Collins Bluegrass Parkway, which takes you to Bardstown.
Whiskey Attractions
Four Roses Distillery 1224 Bonds Mill Rd., Lawrenceburg, 502-839-3436, fourrosesbourbon.com
Wild Turkey Distillery 1417 Versailles Rd., Lawrenceburg, 502-839-2182, wildturkeybourbon.com
Other Attractions
Kentucky Gentlemen Cigar Company 120 S. Main St., Lawrenceburg, 502-839-9226, kentuckygentlemencigars.com
Lover’s Leap Winery 1180 Lanes Mill Rd., Lawrenceburg, 502-839-1299, loversleapwine.com
Rising Sons Home Farm Winery 975 Frankfort Rd., Lawrenceburg, 502-600-0224, risingsonswinery.com
