The Moonshine Trail

The Moonshine Trail is a somewhat unexpected guide to some of the best distilleries producing moonshine, in Kentucky bourbon country.

It’s designed as a self-guided road trip experience that emphasizes Appalachian culture, history, craft distilling, and celebrates the tradition of moonshine – a clear, typically un-aged, high-proof spirit with roots in illegal backwoods distilling.

Today, of course, everything on the trail is legal, licensed production, often inspired by those historic methods. On the trail you’ll experience scenic landscapes including mountains, rivers, quaint rural towns, and local landmarks such as the Red River Gorge area as you travel to each of these independent distillers and sample locally made moonshine, a craft cocktail or two, and experience some local distillery tours.

Where is The Moonshine Trail?

The trail runs across eastern and southern Kentucky, roughly from Lexington to Pikesville. This region is part of Appalachia, historically one of the most famous areas for illicit moonshining due to the remote terrain, abundant corn crops, and a long tradition of independent distilling.

Distilleries on the Moonshine Trail

The Moonshine Trail currently boasts 7 distilleries offering tastings, tours, food, and local bootlegging stories, along with a stop at the Backwoods Moonshine Museum.

These distilleries are known for crafting spirits with experimental flavors and small-batch production using local ingredients. Stop in for some great storytelling and learn about prohibition era history that shaped the region, and the spirits industry while sipping some local shine.