LEXINGTON, Ky. -- A tiny Kentucky distillery known for letting visitors hand-fill their own bottles straight from the barrel has just won two major tourism awards, according to a news release.

Whiskey Thief Distilling Co. was voted North America’s Leading Distillery Tour 2026 and North America’s Leading Whisk(e)y Distillery Tour 2026 at the World Travel Awards Caribbean & The Americas Gala held Oct. 11 in Jamaica.

The Franklin County distillery beat out some of Kentucky’s top distillers, including Angel’s Envy, Jim Beam and Rabbit Hole, as well as Jack Daniel’s in Tennessee, New York Distilling Co. and TX Whiskey Ranch for top distillery tour. Whiskey Thief won over Cedar Ridge Distillery, Copperworks Distilling, Jack Daniel’s Distillery and Virginia Distillery Co. for Leading Whisk(e)y Distillery Tour.

Votes were cast by travel industry professionals and the general public, with the nominee receiving the most votes named the winner.

Whiskey Thief is also a nominee for World’s Leading Distillery Tour 2026 and World’s Leading Whisk(e)y Distillery Tour 2026, alongside distilleries including Suntory Yamazaki, Jameson and The Macallan. Public voting is open at worldtravelawards.com/vote through Oct. 30.

What is Whiskey Thief?

Whiskey Thief produces about 1,000 barrels a year on a 127-acre farm. Despite its small size, it has welcomed more than 110,000 visitors, and the signature “thieving” experience has proven very popular.

“These two wins belong to our team,” said founder Walter Zausch in a statement. “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.”

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