If you’re an avid whiskey drinker, then this blog post is for you! We will take a look at the 5 best cities to travel to for whiskey and explore what makes them so special. From the US to Ireland, there’s something on this list that everyone can enjoy.
Whether you’re looking for a new destination or need some inspiration on where to go next, we hope that our list helps get your trip started off right.
Our Top 5 Best Cities to Travel to For Whiskey
Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville is known for many things, and whiskey is one of them. It’s home to Jack Daniel’s Distillery, which has been making great Tennessee whiskey since 1866! You’ll also find George Dickel – the only other distiller in Tennessee that produces its own brand of whiskey.
George Dickel, the only other distiller in Tennessee that produces its own brand of whiskey, is one of the most popular whiskeys in the world. It’s a whisky that’s made from three ingredients: corn, rye, and barley.
Why You Should Visit: Nashville has been long-known for its whiskey, and it lives up to every expectation you could have! In addition, Nashville offers music venues ranging from intimate clubs to huge stadiums where your favorite artists will be performing live.
Notable Whiskey Bars: Some of the top whiskey bars in the area include The Old Stone Jug, Roy’s Nashville, and Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge. You can find our deeper dive into Nashville whiskey culture here. (https://www.whiskyadvocate.com/whisky-lovers-nashville-travel-guide/)
Dublin, Ireland
Ireland is known for its rich history with whiskey – from being the first country where people began distilling it in the 14th century to producing some of the best whiskeys in the world to this day. It’s known for Irish Whiskey, which is made from malted and unmalted barley, as well as rye.
Why You Should Visit: Dublin is a great place for whiskey connoisseurs, as it’s home to many distilleries that offer tours and tastings during their downtime – which are often open on Sundays! It is a great place for a whiskey vacation for history buffs. Dublin is also an amazing city to visit for its architecture, culture, and nightlife.
Notable Whiskey Bars: The Old Jameson Distillery is a great place to start your whiskey journey in Dublin – as it’s home to the world-famous Jameson Irish Whiskey! Along with their tours, they offer tastings of different whiskeys from around Ireland.
The Dublin pubs that are most popular with whiskey enthusiasts include Dandelion Pub & Kitchen, The Dead Rabbit Irish Bar & Restaurant, and the Fade Street Social Club. The Red Breast is also a popular choice, having been in production since the 1500s.
New Orleans, Louisiana
In the mid-1800s, Louisiana began to produce whiskey – and it soon became a local favorite. But in 1906, Prohibition was enacted which led to mass production of illegal moonshine. The industry continued its growth after prohibition ended, with now just over 500 distilleries in operation today! It remains one of the best cities for whiskey since it has such a vibrant nightlife.
Many of the New Orleans whiskies are made with corn and sugar cane, which gives it a unique flavor that’s known for being sweet. Some notable New Orleans Whiskey brands include Southern Comfort and Louisiana Spirits Co.
Why You Should Visit: New Orleans is a city rich in history, which makes it the perfect spot to visit for whiskey enthusiasts. It also has some of the best live music venues and bars you’ll find anywhere – making this one trip that’s sure to be memorable!
With some of the best food in America (read: New Orleans gumbo), as well as a rich history that includes jazz music and Voodoo culture – you’ll find yourself wanting to explore every inch of this historic city.
Notable Whiskey Bars: One of the most popular spots to visit in New Orleans is The Old No. 77 Hotel & Chandlery where you can enjoy their collection of over 200 whiskeys. At Jacques-Imo’s, you’ll find classics like their Praline and Maple Old Fashioned that are made with Louisiana whiskey! You can also try a bunch of different local cocktails at The Sazerac Bar or NOLA Ale Project Beer Garden.
The Louisville, Kentucky skyline with pedestrian walkway in front
Louisville, Kentucky
Kentucky has been known for its bourbon and whiskey since the late 18th century. Bourbon is a distilled spirit made from grain, typically corn (with other grains used as well), that’s aged in new oak barrels – which gives it an unmistakable flavor. It takes at least two years to ferment before being barreled up!
Famous Louisville whiskey producers include Woodford Reserve, Maker’s Mark, and Jim Beam. This is a great spot for a Whiskey vacation if these Kentucky variants are your favorite.
Why You Should Visit: Louisville is home to some of the best distilleries and bars where you can find a great selection of whiskeys from all over Kentucky – as well as other states! It has a unique culture, with both Southern BBQ styles and local food, making it one-of-a-kind.
Notable Whiskey Bars: The largest bourbon distillery in the world is Buffalo Trace, which offers tours and tastings of their whiskeys. Jack Rose Libation House has a great selection of bourbons that can’t be found anywhere else – including some from Japan! You can also try whiskey at The Silver Dollar or Copper & Kings American Brandy Co. or check out these 10 other bourbon bar recommendations.
If you’re looking for a great place to taste some Kentucky bourbon in Louisville, then head over to The Old Seelbach Bar inside of Seelbach Hotel.
New York City, New York
New York City is one of the most popular cities for whiskey, and it has a long history with distilling that dates back to 1640. It’s also home to some of the best bars in America – including The Dead Rabbit Grocery & Grog Shop which made it onto Forbes’ list of 25 Best Bars Worldwide!
New York is known for producing whiskies that are clean and spicy – which is because of the cold winters! Some popular whiskeys in New York include Knickerbocker, Old Potrero 18th Century Rye Whiskey, and Hudson Baby Bourbon.
Why You Should Visit: It may be the biggest city in the US, but New York City is also one of the most walkable cities with plenty to see and do – making it great for a weekend getaway.
New York City has lots from art galleries to theaters, as well as some of the best bars on earth that offer an exceptional selection of whiskey. You can also sign up for whiskey tours, and many dinners include whiskey tastings.
Notable Whiskey Bars: The oldest bar in NYC is McSorley’s Old Ale House which dates back to 1854 and offers a great selection of local, domestic, imported whiskey. You can also find a variety at Pouring Ribbons or The Dead Rabbit Grocery & Grog Shop (mentioned above).
There are very few cities in the world where you can’t enjoy an exceptional pour of Whiskey. However, this list covers many of the founders of the industry. From New Orleans to Louisville, there are a lot of cities that have a rich history in Whiskey – and it’s worth exploring them all!