The Kentucky Bourbon Path matched its visitation numbers from 2024 after welcoming 2.7 million whiskey followers final yr.
The path’s customer numbers from 2024 set data for the state, having reached 2.5 million in 2023.
The repeat 2.7m attendance determine for 2025 is claimed to underscore the trade’s resilience and the enduring recognition of Kentucky’s signature spirit. The US is at present seeing a decline in tourism because of financial uncertainty and shifting journey patterns.
Eric Gregory, president of the Kentucky Distillers’ Affiliation (KDA), stated: “Holding sturdy at 2.7m guests is an amazing win in right this moment’s tourism local weather.
“Whereas different locations are seeing pullbacks, the Kentucky Bourbon Path journey continues to reveal its energy, stability, and world attraction. That consistency speaks volumes concerning the high quality of our experiences and the eagerness of our distillers.”
Visits got here from all 50 US states and greater than 20 international locations.
As in earlier years, most guests got here from Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and Tennessee. Nevertheless, there was a ‘sharp improve’ in folks coming from New York, as was development in numbers from Florida, Texas, North Carolina, and Wisconsin.
About 80% of all guests had been stated to have come from outdoors of Kentucky.
Individuals visiting the Bourbon Path had been stated to be prosperous, with 62% of tourists reporting family incomes above US$100,00, and leaning in direction of a youthful demographic.
Moreover, the typical keep in Kentucky was between three and 5 days, with group spend ranging between US$600 and US$1,400 per journey. With cash going in direction of lodging, eating, leisure and transportation, the Path is claimed to have had a ‘highly effective’ financial influence on native communities.
Expanded programme: ‘By no means been extra to see and do’
The KDA created the Kentucky Bourbon Path in 1999 with seven distilleries. The present record now totals almost 70 collaborating distilleries spanning from northern to western Kentucky.
In 2025, 11 new locations had been added to the programme. Among the new stops included Hen Cock Whiskey Circa 1856, the Inexperienced River tasting room, Left Financial institution Distilling Co, and WhistlePig’s The Vault Tasting Expertise.
Gregory added: “Our distillers proceed to innovate and elevate the customer expertise. From immersive tastings and unique behind-the-scenes excursions to world-class eating places and lodging in our Bourbon communities, there’s by no means been extra to see and do.”
The KDA has additionally advanced the expertise with a Construct Your Personal Bourbon Path device, which helps travellers create and share personalised itineraries.
“The Kentucky Bourbon Path has confirmed it’s not only a one-time expertise – it’s an journey that guests return to time and again,” Gregory continued. “In difficult tourism years, holding regular is development. We’re proud to proceed welcoming thousands and thousands from world wide to expertise Kentucky craftsmanship and hospitality – responsibly, after all.”
Collaborating member distilleries collected the information from the KDA’s report, which was compiled, ready and analysed by the IQS Analysis of Louisville.
In keeping with the KDA, Bourbon brings US$10.6 billion to Kentucky’s economic system yearly and helps almost 24,000 jobs.
Final yr, the variety of ageing barrels of Bourbon in Kentucky hit a file excessive of 16.1m.
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