The people behind your perfect day. Kentucky born. Bourbon obsessed. Determined to show you the best of it.
Every great tour is really about the people who build it. At Sip Kentucky Bourbon Tours, that’s a small team of genuinely passionate bourbon enthusiasts, experienced coordinators, and guides who have spent years learning every distillery, road, and story the Bluegrass State has to offer. This is who you’re handing your day to — and we think you’ll be glad you did.
Sip Kentucky Bourbon Tours started with a simple frustration: Kentucky’s bourbon country is extraordinary, but getting there — booking the distilleries, coordinating the logistics, figuring out who’s driving — was harder than it needed to be. Chris Cherney and Steven Taylor believed a better experience was possible. Not just a shuttle service. Not just a ticket vendor. A genuinely elevated day, fully handled from the first inquiry to the last drop, where guests could focus entirely on what they came for.
What began as a vision for better bourbon tourism has grown into one of Louisville’s most trusted private tour companies, with hundreds of tours completed and thousands of guests who came for the bourbon and left with a story. Sip Kentucky Bourbon Tours is incorporated as SIP Tours LLC and operates under the trademarked Sip Kentucky Bourbon Tours brand — a name the team is proud to stand behind and is actively building into the premier bourbon tour experience in the state.
Chris and Steven remain hands-on in the business, working closely with a team of coordinators and guides who share the same standard: every group deserves a day that feels like it was built just for them. Because it was.
The Kentucky Bourbon Trail® is administered by the Kentucky Distillers’ Association and represents the most recognized certification in bourbon tourism. Being an official partner isn’t just a badge — it’s a commitment to operating standards, a relationship with the distilleries that goes beyond walk-in access, and a signal to guests that they’re booking with a company that has been evaluated and approved by the industry itself.
For you, it means better access to the distilleries that matter. It means our team is trained to operate within the standards the industry trusts. And it means that when you tell someone you went on a Kentucky Bourbon Trail® partner tour, they know exactly what that means.
Every Sip Kentucky Bourbon Tours guide is selected for their deep knowledge of Kentucky bourbon, their ability to make any group feel at home, and their genuine love for sharing the stories behind every barrel, rickhouse, and recipe. These are the people your group will spend the day with — and they’re the reason guests come back.
Co-Founder
Chris is a true “serial entrepreneur,” whose business journey arguably began back in junior high selling packs of gummy bears to classmates. Since then, he’s built and led successful ventures across various industries, all united by one core philosophy — a relentless focus on delivering five-star customer experiences.
At Sip Kentucky Bourbon Tours, Chris brings that same drive and creativity to every aspect of the business, constantly looking for ways to elevate the guest experience and ensure every tour is nothing short of exceptional. His passion for hospitality and innovation plays a key role in shaping the unforgettable moments our guests enjoy every day.
Read more
Co- Founder, General Manager
With years of experience in the tourism and hospitality industry, Steven brings a deep passion for creating unforgettable, five-star experiences to every aspect of Sip Kentucky Bourbon Tours. As General Manager, he’s the driving force behind our commitment to excellence — from curating custom itineraries to ensuring each guest feels the true warmth of Southern hospitality.
While much of Steven’s work happens behind the scenes, you’ll occasionally find him out on the trail, soaking in the stories and traditions that make Kentucky’s distilleries so special. His appreciation for the state’s bourbon heritage and dedication to our guests set the standard for everything we do at Sip Kentucky Bourbon Tours.
Read more
Office Manager / Tour Coordinator
Marnie is the organizational heartbeat behind the exceptional experiences our guests enjoy every day. As Office Manager and Tour Coordinator, she plays a vital role in keeping operations running seamlessly while ensuring every detail behind the scenes is thoughtfully managed. From administration and logistics to guest communication and itinerary planning, Marnie helps bring each Sip Kentucky Bourbon Tours experience to life.
What Marnie enjoys most is working directly with guests to create memorable bourbon adventures built around what matters most to them. She believes no two groups should have the exact same experience and is passionate about designing customized itineraries filled with one-of-a-kind moments, unique stops, and meaningful experiences tailored to each group’s interests, pace, and travel style.
With years of experience in operations and administrative leadership in tour businesses, Marnie brings a deep understanding of hospitality, guest service, and experience design. Her attention to detail, commitment to excellence, and passion for creating unforgettable journeys help ensure every guest receives the elevated level of service Sip Kentucky Bourbon Tours is known for.
In her spare time she loves spending time with her family doing anything outdoors and has developed a deep appreciation for some really good Bourbon!
Read more
TOUR GUIDE
Born and raised right here in Louisville, Ross has had bourbon in his blood since the very beginning! He grew up surrounded by the stories and the history that make Kentucky the Bourbon Capital of the World. Before guiding, he was behind the bar, so he knows how to read a room and make sure everyone’s having a great time. His goal isn’t just to teach you about bourbon, but to help you fall more in love with it while visiting Kentucky.
Read more
Tour Guide
Mike Coffey brings his passion for Kentucky bourbon and storytelling to every tour he leads. A Louisville local with a background in education and leadership, Mike knows how to connect with people and make each stop along the Bourbon Trail both fun and memorable. Whether sharing hidden distillery gems or bourbon history, he creates an experience that feels like a day out with old friends. When he’s not guiding tours, you’ll find him enjoying retirement with good company, good food, and, of course, great bourbon.
Read more
Tour Guide
Bruce has called Louisville home for over 40 years and his passion for all things Kentucky runs deep. A proud U of L Cardinals fan, Bruce has spent decades showcasing the best of the city through his career in fine dining—running some of Louisville’s most acclaimed restaurants. Today, he channels that same hospitality and love for the Bluegrass State into guiding guests along the Kentucky Bourbon Trail®. When he’s not leading tours, you can find him on the hunt for rare bottles and sharing his deep knowledge of bourbon, local culture, and Kentucky pride with everyone he meets.
Read more
Tour Guide
After 25 years of teaching high school history in Kentucky, Jason decided to take his passion for storytelling and education beyond the classroom and onto the Bourbon Trail. His love for Kentucky’s rich heritage—and a good pour of bourbon—makes every tour both informative and fun. Join Jason on one of Sip Kentucky Bourbon Tours’ customized experiences and learn a little history while you sip your way through Bourbon Country!
Read more
Tour Guide
Sandro may joke that his southern accent comes from Chile, but after more than 30 years in Louisville, the Bluegrass State truly is home. Recently retired from a long and successful career in banking, he now spends his days sharing his love for Kentucky with visitors from around the world. Warm, personable, and full of stories, Sandro brings a unique perspective and genuine hospitality to every tour—making guests feel right at home as they discover the spirit and charm of bourbon country.
Read more
Tour Guide
Cali was born and raised in one of Kentucky’s last dry counties and has been fascinated by the stories & lore of Bourbon his whole life. Cali’s whisk[e]y sipping journey started in 2016 with Maker’s Mark & Woodford Reserve, and these days Woodford’s Double Oaked remains one of Cali’s go-to sippers. When not giving tours, you can find Cali running community events at Awry Brewing, playing pickleball and ultimate frisbee, writing songs on his guitar, making small business websites, and otherwise throwing himself into smaller creative projects like cat calendars & summer camps.
Read more
Tour Guide
From entertainment Director on a paddle wheeler to bourbon tour guide, Thomas comes from a lineage of Kentucky locals, having grown up in Wilmington, North Carolina and spending his summers in Louisville to spend time with family Thomas always knew he would eventually make the move to live in the bluegrass state. He grew to love bourbon which was the final push he needed to make the move!
Read more
TOUR GUIDE
In a state full of history, heritage & horses, Kim brings a trifecta of knowledge she’s eager to share; from having experienced 9 Kentucky Derby’s Weeks, 2 Breeders’ Cup World Championships & 1 Hullabalou from the “inside” of Churchill Downs to guiding visiting travelers throughout the city on a motor coach to introducing folks to Louisville like a local with food & spirits in between seeing the sights, it’s a sure bet you’ll have a memorable experience touring Kentucky.
Read more
Sip Kentucky Bourbon Tours has been featured in and recognized by:
Every Sip Kentucky Bourbon Tours experience is an extension of what you’ve read on this page — the same care, the same knowledge, the same genuine enthusiasm for sharing what makes Kentucky’s bourbon country unlike anywhere else on earth. We’d love to show you.
Have something specific in mind? Our team is ready to build it.
