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Alltech begins construction of new KY distillery
By Annie HayesSpirits producer Alltech has broken ground on the site of its new Kentucky distillery, Dueling Barrels Brewing & Distilling Co.
A rendering of the distillery, which is equipped with copper pot stills that can be viewed from the streetEastern Kentucky is one step closer to having its first legal distillery after Alltech president and founder Dr. Pearse Lyons and co-founder Deirdre Lyons broke ground at the site to signify the start of the building’s construction.
The combined brewery-distillery is expected to open in Pikeville in Spring 2017 at a cost of US$13 million, and will feature its own range of beer and spirits to celebrate the area including moonshine and Bourbon.
“With Alltech’s global reach, it is expected that Dueling Barrels’ beer, whiskey and moonshine, all from Eastern Kentucky, will go to the global market by the end of next year,” said Dr. Pearse Lyons, president and founder of Alltech.
“It is also our hope that Dueling Barrels will extend the Kentucky Bourbon Trail into Eastern Kentucky, bringing visitors, tourism dollars and international publicity with it.
“If Dueling Barrels is added to the Kentucky Bourbon Trail tour by the Kentucky Distillers’ Association, it would become the first and only stop east of Lexington.”
For more than a year the design team at Alltech have worked on creating a building that will “embrace the rich history and culture of the region” and tie in with local architecture.
The story of the Hatfields and McCoys – which inspired the Dueling Barrels name – along with the region’s music heritage, are part of the inspiration behind the distillery.
Artisan stone masons from Rockcastle County, Kentucky will complete interior and exterior Kentucky fieldstone work, while inside the building will feature copper pot stills made by Kentucky craftsmen which can be viewed from the street.
In October 2012, Alltech opened a new distillery in Lexington, Kentucky – the first to be built in the town for 100 years.