Whiskey Thief Wins North America’s Leading Distillery Tour

Whiskey Thief Distilling Co. was voted North America’s Leading Distillery Tour 2026 and North America’s Leading Whisk(e)y Distillery Tour 2026. The awards were announced at the World Travel Awards Caribbean & The Americas Gala Ceremony on Oct. 11 in Jamaica. The Franklin County distillery took both categories over nominees that included Jim Beam, Jack Daniel’s, Angel’s Envy and Rabbit Hole.

The World Travel Awards come at the end of a year-long search for the world’s leading travel, tourism and hospitality brands. Travel industry professionals and the public cast the votes, and the nominee with the most votes in each category wins. Head of Experiences Amy Fox and CEO and Founder Walter Zausch accepted both awards for the brand.

“These two wins belong to our team,” said Zausch. “More than 80 people make every guest’s visit memorable, and we are on pace for more than 150,000 visitors in 2026 to experience Whiskey Thief Distilling Co. We were the first in Kentucky to put every guest at the barrel, and we’ve been democratizing the barrel pick ever since. Being voted the best in a field of nominated distilleries that built American whiskey tourism tells us people don’t just want to watch how bourbon is made. They want to be part of it.”

Graham Cooke, President & Founder, World Travel Awards, said: “Congratulations to Whiskey Thief Distilling Co. for winning North America’s Leading Distillery Tour 2026 and North America’s Leading Whisk(e)y Distillery Tour 2026. This is a remarkable achievement, reflecting how the brand continues to set the benchmark. The commitment of the entire team at Whiskey Thief Distilling Co. serves as an inspiration to us all.”

By the Numbers

127-acre working farm in Franklin County, Ky., distilling since 2012
About 1,000 barrels a year of production capacity
110,000+ visitors in 2025, on pace for 150,000+ in 2026
23% growth year over year in bottles filled by guests in its “thieving” experience

What Makes the Whiskey Thief Tour Different

Whiskey Thief is the only Kentucky distillery where every visitor can taste bourbon straight from five barrels and then thieve their own bottle by hand, uncut and unfiltered at barrel strength. The single-barrel bourbons and ryes are distilled from grain grown on site. Guests can do the experience at the Franklin County farm or at the Louisville tasting room.

The distillery is also a finalist for World’s Leading Distillery Tour 2026 and World’s Leading Whisk(e)y Distillery Tour 2026, up against Suntory Yamazaki, Jameson and The Macallan. Tour times are limited, so reservations are recommended at whiskeythief.com.