@Chuggs makes some very good points, so I'll just add based on our experiences. Bourbon touring is a lot like golf in that they both take time and money. We started down the 'official' Bourbon Trail and pretty soon discovered that we didn't care for it's constraints...mainly just visiting the distilleries that were part of that particular program. Our favorite tour on the Trail was
Old Forester - an awesome tour experience, a great tasting and we really liked their products - but, you'll have to book your tour very early in your planning, because they sell out quickly.
The tours that
@Chuggs missed should be on your agenda - Bulliet, Four Roses, and Angel's Envy (you had Angel's Envy on our coach at Hoots).
The tour that we enjoyed most was
Buffalo Trace. Don't miss that experience. You'll have to book your tour early on. If you are willing to be near the front of the morning line, they do have frequent cancellations and you're likely to get in on one of those. Besides the basic tour, they offer some behind-the-scenes tours that may catch your interest. Buffalo Trace is not a part of the Bourbon Trail.
In the Frankfort area, we have stayed at Elkhorn Creek and Still Waters. Elkhorn was OK, but non-spectacular. Don't bother with Still Waters...very nice people, but the park is a loser.
In Lexington, the
Kentucky Horse Park is awesome, but they don't have much in the way of hook-ups. But, the horses are spectacular! When we go again, that's where we'll stay, even though it's a bit out of the way of many of the distilleries.
Which is the best bourbon? You'll have to take it all in and decide for yourself. And tell me all about it.
. A lot we find along the way are Harvest Host. 
