For generations, Kentucky has been the heart and soul of bourbon. The limestone water, the rolling hills, the rickhouses sweating through all four seasons—it’s the birthplace, no doubt about it. But bourbon’s story doesn’t stop at the state line anymore.
In the last decade, something incredible has happened. Distillers across the country—from Texas to Washington—have started writing their own chapters in America’s bourbon story. Some honor tradition. Others twist it on its head. But all of them share one thing in common: a deep respect for the craft.
Welcome to the new Bourbon Trail — where the map stretches far beyond the Bluegrass State.
The Bourbon Boom Goes National
The bourbon boom that started in the 2010s didn’t just increase demand — it sparked innovation. Craft distilleries began popping up everywhere, each one experimenting with local grains, microclimates, and aging techniques.
The result? A new generation of bourbon that feels both familiar and refreshingly original. These distillers aren’t trying to be Kentucky. They’re paying homage while creating their own regional signatures.
And that’s the beauty of it — bourbon has become a national language, with each region speaking it in its own accent.
Texas: Heat, Heart, and Fast Aging
Everything’s bigger in Texas — including the bourbon. The extreme temperature swings across the Lone Star State cause whiskey to expand and contract rapidly in the barrel, accelerating the aging process.
Balcones Distilling in Waco helped kick off the movement, crafting bold, smoky bourbons that push the boundaries of traditional flavor. Garrison Brothers, Texas’s first legal bourbon distillery, brings a sweeter, more refined profile, often with notes of pecan and leather.
Texas bourbon tends to be intense — darker, oakier, and full of attitude. It’s bourbon turned up to eleven.
Tennessee: Tradition with a Twist
Okay, yes — Tennessee whiskey is technically its own thing, but don’t count it out. The Lincoln County Process (charcoal filtering before barreling) gives Tennessee whiskey its signature smoothness, but many producers are crafting bourbons that rival their Kentucky cousins.
Nelson’s Green Brier and Chattanooga Whiskey are two standouts leading Tennessee’s modern bourbon renaissance. They prove that smooth and complex don’t have to be opposites.
Indiana: The Unsung Giant
Here’s a secret the bourbon world already knows but doesn’t talk about enough: MGP in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, is behind many of the best bourbons on the market.
While MGP is primarily a contract distiller, its juice ends up in beloved bottles like Smoke Wagon, Smooth Ambler, and Remus Repeal Reserve. The distillery’s 175 years of experience and high-rye mash bills have made it a silent powerhouse.
Indiana bourbon may not always have its own label, but its fingerprints are everywhere.
Colorado: Altitude and Attitude
High altitude means thinner air, more temperature variation, and unique aging conditions — all of which make Colorado bourbon stand out.
Breckenridge Distillery and Laws Whiskey House have proven that mountain air can produce bourbon with surprising depth and spice. There’s a crispness to these bourbons — a kind of brightness you don’t often find elsewhere.
They’re reminders that bourbon doesn’t have to come from the South to be world-class.
New York: The Empire State of Whiskey
New York distilleries are embracing the farm-to-glass movement in a big way. Using local corn, rye, and barley, they’re redefining what small-batch bourbon can taste like.
Hudson Whiskey was one of the early trailblazers, setting the tone for a craft scene that values creativity as much as tradition. Others like Kings County Distillery in Brooklyn have proven that even urban distilleries can make remarkable bourbon.
The result? Whiskey that’s distinctly New York — bold, inventive, and just a little rebellious.
Other States Worth a Sip
- Virginia: Home to A. Smith Bowman, a historic distillery blending elegance and balance.
- Washington: Woodinville Whiskey Co. brings Pacific Northwest flair with deep, toasty notes.
- Missouri: Holladay Distillery and Restless Spirits honor pre-Prohibition roots.
- Nevada: Smoke Wagon puts Las Vegas on the bourbon map with spice-forward, desert-aged bottles.
Each of these distilleries adds a brushstroke to bourbon’s ever-expanding canvas.
The Spirit of the New Bourbon Trail
What ties all these places together isn’t geography — it’s spirit. These distillers share the same obsession with detail, craftsmanship, and quality that Kentucky built its legacy on.
They’re experimenting with everything from heirloom corn to nontraditional barrels, but the mission remains the same: make bourbon that tells a story.
And that’s what makes exploring the new bourbon trail so rewarding. You’re not just collecting bottles — you’re discovering voices. Each one speaks to a different corner of America, a different set of hands and hearts behind the still.
Final Pour
Kentucky will always be bourbon’s heartland. It’s sacred ground, and every sip we take owes something to its history.
But bourbon’s story isn’t finished — it’s evolving. From the Texas plains to the New York skyline, distillers are redefining what bourbon can be. And as enthusiasts, we get to taste that evolution firsthand.
So next time you’re hunting bottles, don’t overlook the newcomers. Try that bottle from a small Colorado distillery or that weirdly amazing Texas release. You might just discover the next legend in the making.
After all — bourbon isn’t about where it’s made. It’s about who makes it, and the story they pour into every drop.
Cheers,
—Nick
