Last updated on February 25, 2024.

You can’t miss the Bourbon Trail while visiting Kentucky, and the Jim Beam American Stillhouse in Clermont is a great place to start. The Beam family has been producing whiskey since 1795. The distillery is a short drive from Louisville.

Jim Beam American Stillhouse in Clermont, Kentucky
Jim Beam American Stillhouse

 

Distillery Tours

There are several different themed tours available to choose from, including tastings, culinary experiences, and exclusive tours. We took a distillery tour and tasting, which runs Wednesday through Sunday about every half hour starting at 9am (Sundays 10am) and costs US$30 (as of February 2024). Underage guests are also welcome but are not allowed to enter the tasting room. The tours run approximately 90 minutes and end with a tasting for those of age. You can buy tickets at the gift shop, which sells all kinds of Jim Beam products and memorabilia.

Gift shop at Jim Beam American Stillhouse in Clermont, Kentucky
Gift shop
Jim Beam products at the gift shop at Jim Beam American Stillhouse in Clermont, Kentucky
Jim Beam products
Gift shop at Jim Beam American Stillhouse in Clermont, Kentucky
Gift shop
Beam family tree at the gift shop at Jim Beam American Stillhouse in Clermont, Kentucky
Beam family tree

In front of the gift shop is a statue of James B. Beam (1864-1947), the company’s namesake. He built the business after Prohibition in 1933 and it’s now one of the best-selling brands of bourbon in the world.

Jim Beam statue at Jim Beam American Stillhouse in Clermont, Kentucky
Jim Beam statue

 

The Tour

The tour starts from the very beginning of the bourbon making process. The guide explains the secret to Kentucky having the best bourbon in the world – Kentucky limestone. You then get to see the ingredients required by law to produce bourbon, including a 51% corn mixture, and learn about the fermentation process.

Distillery tour at Jim Beam American Stillhouse in Clermont, Kentucky
Distillery tour
Fermentation tanks at Jim Beam American Stillhouse in Clermont, Kentucky
Fermentation tanks
Distillery tour at Jim Beam American Stillhouse in Clermont, Kentucky
Distillery tour

The barreling porch is a highlight of the tour. You’re able to see important barreling milestones, including the very first barrel produced after Prohibition in 1935.

Barreling porch at Jim Beam American Stillhouse in Clermont, Kentucky
Barreling porch
Barreling porch at Jim Beam American Stillhouse in Clermont, Kentucky
Barreling porch
Distillery tour at Jim Beam American Stillhouse in Clermont, Kentucky
Distillery tour

Next, you get to visit a warehouse where bottles sent back by customers are tested. The company takes complaints very seriously and tests every bottle for quality assurance. Next to the warehouse is the bottling plant, where the bottles are filled and labeled. We were able to take home a label for bourbon produced for export to Australia.

Quality control at Jim Beam American Stillhouse in Clermont, Kentucky
Quality control
Bottling plant at Jim Beam American Stillhouse in Clermont, Kentucky
Bottling plant

A room displaying commemorative bottles produced all over the world is next. On the floor, the name of each country that sells Jim Beam as well as the year it entered that country’s market can be seen. There’s also a large photo mosaic of Jim Beam that you can make out if standing in the correct spot.

Commemorative bottles at Jim Beam American Stillhouse in Clermont, Kentucky
Commemorative bottles
Commemorative bottles at Jim Beam American Stillhouse in Clermont, Kentucky
Commemorative bottles
Floor of countries where Jim Beam is sold at Jim Beam American Stillhouse in Clermont, Kentucky
Floor of countries where Jim Beam is sold
Jim Beam mosaic at Jim Beam American Stillhouse in Clermont, Kentucky
Jim Beam mosaic

The next part of the tour took us to the huge warehouse where the oak barrels are stored for maturation. We got to see barrels 13,000,000 and 14,000,000.

Warehouse at Jim Beam American Stillhouse in Clermont, Kentucky
Warehouse
Barrels at Jim Beam American Stillhouse in Clermont, Kentucky
Barrels
Barrels #13 and #14 million at Jim Beam American Stillhouse in Clermont, Kentucky
Barrels #13 and #14 million

 

Tasting Room

Finally, it was off to the tasting room. Each visitor over 21 was given a card that gave three credits for tastings. You place the card in the machine, put the shot glass under the spout, press the button, and the shot is poured. Several different Jim Beam products are available for tasting, and a brochure explaining each one is given to visitors before starting. The best part is you get to keep the souvenir shot glass.

Tasting room at Jim Beam American Stillhouse in Clermont, Kentucky
Tasting room
Tasting room at Jim Beam American Stillhouse in Clermont, Kentucky
Tasting room
Pouring machine in the tasting room at Jim Beam American Stillhouse in Clermont, Kentucky
Pouring machine

 

Other Highlights

On the grounds, there are a few other highlights to check out after your tour. The master distiller’s house was built in 1911 and was used until 1985. It’s on the National Register of Historic Places.

Master distiller's house at Jim Beam American Stillhouse in Clermont, Kentucky
Master distiller’s house

A path across from the house leads to a statue of Booker Noe (1929-2004) and his dog, Dot. Noe was the grandson of Jim Beam and oversaw production for over 50 years. He introduced his private stock small batch whiskey to the Beam lineup in 1988.

Booker Noe statue at Jim Beam American Stillhouse in Clermont, Kentucky
Booker Noe statue

 

Fred’s Smokehouse (Permanently Closed)

If you’re feeling hungry after your tour, pop into Fred’s Smokehouse. You’ll be able to get some excellent pulled pork sandwiches, homemade burgoo (a stew), sides, and desserts. We split a sandwich and burgoo.

Fred's Smokehouse at Jim Beam American Stillhouse in Clermont, Kentucky
Fred’s Smokehouse
Burgoo and pulled pork sandwich at Fred's Smokehouse at Jim Beam American Stillhouse in Clermont, Kentucky
Burgoo and pulled pork sandwich

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Owner of Paisadventure. World traveler. Chicago sports lover. Living in Colombia.

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