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Best Distillery Tour 2026

By Readers' Choice On 1/28/26 at 12:00 PM EST

A great distillery tour goes beyond tasting—it offers a window into craft, history and place. From historic whiskey landmarks to modern facilities and immersive experiences, tours vary widely in how they tell the story behind the spirits. Some focus on heritage and tradition, others on innovation, setting or hands-on exploration. The nominees in this category highlight distilleries that invite visitors to slow down, learn the process and engage with the people and environments shaping each spirit. These tours showcase how distillery visits have become a meaningful part of travel, tourism and whiskey culture.

Newsweek is proud to recognize this year's 10 standout distillery tours—selected by our expert panelists and contributors and voted on by readers for their exceptional quality and distinctive excellence. Each has been officially recognized by Newsweek as one of the Best Distillery Tours of 2026.

1. Hard Truth Distilling Company

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Located in southern Indiana, Hard Truth Distilling Company offers immersive tour options that go beyond traditional tastings. Experiences include guided ATV rides through surrounding woodlands paired with whiskey sampling. These tours combine storytelling, outdoor exploration and spirits education for visitors seeking something more adventurous.

2. Stranahan's Colorado Whiskey

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Stranahan's offers guided tours that walk guests through the production of its American single malt whiskey. Visitors learn about mashing, fermentation, distillation and aging before sampling the finished product. The tour highlights how climate and process shape the distillery's signature style.

3. Angel's Envy Distillery

Angel's Envy

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Angel's Envy Distillery in Louisville offers intimate, guided tours through its modern production space on historic Whiskey Row. As the first full production distillery to open there since Prohibition, guests explore fermentation, distillation, and bottling before a guided tasting. Limited group sizes and on site exclusives create a focused, educational experience that blends craftsmanship, innovation, and Kentucky storytelling.

4. Jack Daniel's Distillery

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Founded in Lynchburg, Tennessee, Jack Daniel's is recognized as the oldest registered distillery in the United States, listed with the federal government in 1866. Tours guide visitors through the distilling process, including charcoal mellowing and barrel aging, while highlighting the brand's long-standing traditions and craftsmanship.

5. Buffalo Trace Distillery

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One of the oldest continuously operating distilleries in the U.S., Buffalo Trace offers a range of tours that explore both history and production. Visitors can walk the grounds, see aging warehouses and learn about iconic bourbons produced on-site. As a key stop on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, it provides a deep look into bourbon's past and present.

6. Maker's Mark

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Set on a picturesque campus in Loretto, Kentucky, Maker's Mark offers tours that walk guests through production, aging and tasting. Visitors can explore barrel warehouses, learn about the brand's history and even dip their own bottle in the signature red wax. The experience combines hands-on elements with scenic surroundings.

7. Woodford Reserve Distillery

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Originally established in 1812 as the Labrot & Graham Distillery, Woodford Reserve is a National Historic Landmark set on a working horse farm. Tours cover traditional production methods, historic buildings and barrel warehouses. The distillery's setting and emphasis on sustainability add depth to an already storied bourbon experience.

8. Bardstown Bourbon Company

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Located in Bardstown, Kentucky, Bardstown Bourbon Company offers a modern distillery tour that highlights innovation alongside tradition. Visitors can explore state-of-the-art production facilities and participate in guided tastings. The experience appeals to both bourbon enthusiasts and newcomers interested in seeing how contemporary bourbon is made.

9. High West Distillery

High West

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Set against Utah's Wasatch Mountains, High West Distillery offers a tour experience shaped by its roots as the world's first ski in distillery. Visitors explore whiskey production in a rustic Western setting while learning about High West's pioneering approach to blending. The mountain environment and strong sense of place underscore an experience that emphasizes storytelling, tradition, and innovation alongside whiskey.

10. WhistlePig Whiskey Farm

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Set on a 500-acre farm in Vermont, WhistlePig's distillery tour takes visitors through the rye whiskey process from grain to glass. Guests can explore the property, meet the pigs that inspired the brand and sample limited releases. The experience emphasizes agriculture, aging and hands-on production.

FINALISTS Heritage Distilling Journeyman Distillery Mount Vernon The Sazerac House Wilderton Aperitivo

About Newsweek Readers' Choice™ Awards

Our nominees are editorially driven with contributions from a panel of travel experts. The final list is determined by Newsweek editors. Readers can vote once per category, per day. For any questions, please see our FAQs or email us at readers.choice@newsweek.com.

Our Featured Panelists

Linnea Bailey

Linnea Bailey is an award-winning journalist specializing in travel and tourism. Her freelance work can be found in Southern Living, The Palm Beach Post, Florida Weekly, Modern Luxury, art&culture magazine, The Palm Beaches Blog and more. A former newspaper reporter, she now owns a communications company in West Palm Beach. Linnea is an active member of The Society of American Travel Writers (SATW), the North American Travel Journalists Association, the International Travel Writers Alliance, The Family Travel Association and The Adventure Travel Trade Association. She is a graduate of the University of Central Florida's journalism school. Learn more about her travels at www.linneabailey.com.

Pamela and Gary Baker

Pam and Gary Baker

Pam and Gary Baker are freelance food, wine, and travel writers living in Northern California. They have written for local, national, and international publications including WineTraveler, BBC Travel, LuxeBeat, Best Wineries, Wander with Wonder, and more. Pam is also the former editor of Sacramento Lifestyle Magazine. They love train travel, small ship sailing, and exploring wine regions throughout the world. Follow their adventures at pamandgarybaker.com.

Teresa Bergen

Teresa Bergen is a Portland, Oregon-based travel writer who specializes in the outdoors, eco, vegan and sober travel. She's the author of Easy Portland Outdoors and the Sober Travel Handbook. Learn more about her at teresabergen.com.

Julie Bielenberg

Julie Bielenberg is a Colorado-based writer producing over 75 pieces a year for outlets such as AAA, Family Vacationist, Rachel Ray in Season, Spoke + Blossom, USA Today, Vail Daily and numerous others. She has been the State's #1 agritourism for ten consecutive years and is always in search of field, farm, forest and forage. Julie has three children and two pandemic pooches and is married to an avid outdoorsman. Follow her on Instagram.

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Chez Chesak

Chez Chesak is an award-winning adventure travel writer, 29-year veteran of the outdoor industry, Executive Director of the Outdoor Writers Association of America and President of The Society of American Travel Writers' Central States Chapter. Learn more about him at www.chezconnects.com.

Peggy Cleveland

Marguerite "Peggy" Cleveland is a travel and food writer focusing on cultural experiences, food and wine for travelers over 50. She runs the website Peggy, Where Should I Go? and contributes to Business Insider, SheBuysTravel, TravelAwaits, Northwest Travel and Life, and Food, Wine & Travel. Peggy is the author of 100 Things to Do in Tacoma Before You Die with Reedy Press. Her writing highlights unique destinations and local cuisine, offering practical insights and inspiration for her readers. She is a NATJA and IFWTWA member. Follow her on Instagram.

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Laurie Jo Miller Farr

An award-winning contributor to luxury lifestyle and travel magazines, Laurie Jo Miller Farr specializes in deluxe hotels and destination marketing. Based in New York City, she is a dual U.S./U.K. citizen, having spent half a lifetime in London. Formerly serving as the tourism promotion director for the city's official tourism boards in both NYC and Boston, she recently relocated from San Francisco, where she edited a weekly travel newsletter and co-hosted a podcast. Follow her @lauriejmfarr.

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Cherith Fluker

Cherith Glover Fluker is an Alabama-based freelance writer specializing in travel, self-care, and lifestyle content. With a blend of experience, creativity and Southern warmth, Cherith's writing resonates with readers seeking inspiration and authenticity. Her work has appeared in Food, Wine, & Travel Magazine, SheBuysTravel, LakeLife 24/7, Chicken Soup for the Soul, Motherly and more. She also shares her voice on her blog, WhatCherithinks. Cherith is the author of the book Secret Birmingham, set to be published in fall 2025. She is a member of the International Food, Wine & Travel Writers Association and the National Federation of Press Women.

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Mary Jo Manzanares

Mary Jo Manzanares is a digital travel content creator, author and avid traveler. She's at home in Seattle, with bags packed, ready for the next great adventure. She writes at www.travelingwithmj.com and is a member of SATW.

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Liz Mays

Liz Mays is a travel writer and content creator with an insatiable curiosity for exploring the U.S.—one road trip at a time. Passionate about solo travel, cultural experiences and outdoor adventures, she seeks out off-the-beaten-path destinations and quirky hidden gems. Follow here adventures at getlostintheusa.com.

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Jill Robbins

Jill Robbins is an expert writer focusing on family and adventure travel as well as practical tips to help everyone get the most value out of their vacation experience. Jill's work has appeared in AAA Texas, Southern Living, Business Insider, Fodor's Travel and more. She lives in San Antonio with her husband and two sons, but she's usually somewhere else. Learn more about her travels at www.jillgoes.com.

Jacky Runice

When Jacky took her first flight at age 17 to Spain, she hadn't stepped a foot outside of Chicago. As a broadcast journalist for 20 years, she always managed to bring her travels back to her Chicago audience with radio documentaries about the culture and characters of places she visited. She transitioned to print journalism (syndicated travel column via Tribune Media Services and Travel Columnist for the Daily Herald Chicago) and then to the web where she has written for numerous outlets such as CBS, LuxuryHotels.com, Examiner.com, AOL, USA Today and others. Follow her on Facebook.

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Robin Smith

Robin O'Neal Smith is a freelance writer covering food, travel, wine and lifestyle topics. A "foodie," she enjoys savoring the food and wine wherever her travels take her and finding the hidden gems in destinations to share with her readers. She resides in Pennsylvania, and her work has appeared in Potomac Lifestyle, Travel Awaits, She Buys Travel, Extended Weekend Getaways and many others. Robin has appeared on various podcasts as an expert on travel topics. She is a TravMedia member and serves on the International Food Wine & Travel Writers Association board. Follow her adventures at robinonealsmith.com.

Jamie Davis Smith - headshot-Newsweek Fans Choice

Jamie Davis Smith

Jamie Davis Smith is a writer and attorney from Philadelphia who now calls Washington, D.C. home. She's traveled to more than 90 countries, often bringing her children along on her adventures. Her work can be found in The Washington Post, National Geographic, Travel + Leisure, Afar, The Huffington Post, USA Today and many other publications. Jamie can be contacted at byjamiesmith@gmail.com, and posts about her travels on Instagram.

Aly Walansky

Aly Walansky writes regularly about food news and trends. She has been a food journalist for over twenty years and has covered everything from budget shopping to recipes to culinary travel content for national publications that include the Food Network, Southern Living, Food & Wine, Travel & Leisure, The Kitchn and more. She was ranked among top 10 journalists of 2023 and top 10 freelance journalists in 2024, as well as #1 food journalist of 2022, by Muck Rack. Follow her at alywalansky.substack.com.

Kathleen Walls

Kathleen Walls is publisher/writer for American Roads and Global Highways. She's authored eight travel books and several online tour guides. Publications she's written for include Roadtrippers, Travel Awaits, World Footprints, Snowbirds and RVers, Family RVing, Deep South, Florida Country, Rovology and more. She's a proud member of International Food, Wine, and Travel Writers (IFWTA), Society of American Travel Writers (SATW), and North American Travel Journalists Association (NATJA).

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Nancy Zaffaro

Nancy Zaffaro is a writer, editor and photographer. She covers arts, culture, travel and the outdoors and also writes fiction. She is the Editor of ConfettiTravelCafe.com, and her work has appeared in print and online for numerous publications and media outlets. She travels locally throughout the Pacific Northwest, nationally and to far-flung international locales. When not traveling, she's active in her community and enjoys hiking, kayaking, yoga and spending time with friends and family. Originally from Chicago, she's also lived in Vancouver, British Columbia and Bellingham, Washington. She's currently based in Portland, Oregon.