Diageo builds small-batch still at Stitzel

Diageo is set to open a new “craft” distillery inside its recently opened Bourbon visitors’ centre, the Bulleit Frontier Whiskey Experience.

Diageo will open a new small batch still at its Bulleit Frontier Whiskey Experience before 2 May

In September last year, Diageo completed a US$10m renovation of its mothballed Stitzel-Weller distillery in Kentucky, opening the visitors’ centre to showcase its Bourbon brands, most notably Bulleit.

The distillery, which first opened in 1935 near Louisville but has not been operational since 1992, previously produced Old Fitzgerald and Rebel Yell Bourbons.

The Lexington Herald Leader now reports that Diageo is preparing to open a small still at the centre, with capacity to produce a barrel of spirits a week. Open to visitors, the “craft” distillery will be open in time to celebrate Stitzel-Weller’s 80^th anniversary on 2 May.

Bulleit Frontier Whiskey Experience also features on-site finishing centre and bottling line, which Diageo suggested would allow it to release another range of American whiskeys or Bourbons.

Visitors also have the chance to tour the warehouse where the rickhousing system was invented in 1879, the 1935 cooperage and the historic foyer

At the time the visitors’ centre opened, Larry Schwartz, president of Diageo North America, said: “With these new investments and our innovation plans, Stitzel-Weller and Diageo will help shape the future of American Whiskey in Louisville, and in the state of Kentucky.”

The group has been seeking to increase its presence in American whiskey in recent years, launching the Orphan Barrel Whiskey Programme in 2013, later revealing plans to build a US$115m distillery to produce its Bulleit Bourbon and “future” American whiskey brands.