The Heaven Hill Bourbon Experience sits on a sprawling campus in Bardstown, Kentucky’s bourbon heartland, representing one of America’s largest family-owned distilleries. The Shapira family founded Heaven Hill in 1935, making it the last major family-owned bourbon distillery in Kentucky. What started as five businessmen pooling resources during the Great Depression has grown into a bourbon empire producing iconic brands like Evan Williams, Elijah Craig, and Henry McKenna. The modern visitor center opened in 2019, replacing their original facility after a devastating 1996 fire that destroyed their main distillery and seven rickhouses. The Shapiras didn’t just survive that fire—they rebuilt bigger and better. Master Distiller Conor O’Driscoll, who trained under legendary Parker Beam, now oversees production at their massive Bernheim Distillery in Louisville while the Bardstown location handles aging and bottling. The family’s commitment runs deep, with third-generation family members still actively running operations. Their approach combines old-school bourbon traditions with modern efficiency, producing around 1,200 barrels per day across multiple mashbills. Visitors get an inside look at bourbon aging in massive rickhouses that hold over 100,000 barrels, plus tastings that showcase why Heaven Hill controls more bourbon inventory than any other distillery. The experience balances education with serious bourbon appreciation, featuring everything from entry-level Evan Williams to rare single barrel selections. You’re not just visiting a distillery—you’re stepping into nearly 90 years of bourbon history that survived Prohibition’s end, devastating fires, and countless industry changes.