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News
New bourbon distillery for Heaven Hill
Kentucky bourbon producer Heaven Hill is to build a new multi-million dollar distillery and tourist attraction in Louisville in response to growing demand for the region’s bourbon.
Slated for a September 2013 launch, the new Evans Williams Bourbon Experience will feature an artisan copper pot distillery capable of producing a range of American whiskeys, alongside an interactive visitors centre and store.
Situated in the old Evan Williams offices on Main Street, formerly known as Whiskey Row where Bill Samuels, founder of Maker’s Mark also had offices, the distillery will showcase the history of the area through video displays and exhibitions.
Visitors will also get the chance to learn about warehousing and the aging process, while enjoying tutored tastings in the distillery’s themed tasting rooms.
A large retail space will showcase a number of Heaven Hill branded products, speciality foods and premium bourbon and whiskey, while a basement speakeasy themed event space will be available for private hire.
Harry J. Shapira, executive vice president of Heaven Hill, said the distiller was looking to recreate the same level of success as its Bourbon Heritage Centre in Bardstown, which currently attracts more than 70,000 visitors per year as part of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail.
“It brings together a lot of important economic development, tourism and historical forces—an important new manufacturing and distillation facility, a major Louisville and Kentucky-themed attraction, and the history of Whiskey Row and Evan Williams as an important Louisville figure and early distiller,” he said.
“One hundred and twenty two years ago, when this building was first constructed, this area of Main Street was an important center of commerce for the Bourbon industry, and now Evan Williams, Kentucky’s first commercial distiller, is coming back home to his original locale.”
The Evan Williams Bourbon Experience is expected to attract more than 100,000 visitors per year. Its façade will feature a five-storey high graphic of an Evan Williams bourbon bottle pouring three dimensional spirit into a large glass in the lobby.