Bardstown to ‘reshape American whiskey market’

Bardstown Bourbon Company has started third-party production at its new US$25 million Kentucky distillery, at the same time announcing plans to expand the site.

Bardstown Bourbon Company has now commenced commercial production

After almost three years of development, the 45,000-square-foot distillery currently has capacity for 1.5 million proof gallons.

However, since its third party capacity for whiskey, Bourbon and rye has been completely allocated, Bardstown will add new equipment to the distillery, allowing it to increase production and accept new customers by the third quarter of 2017.

The distillery’s capacity can be expanded to more than six million proof gallons within its current design.

In May last year, Bardstown Bourbon Company said it would partner with Florida-based Mahlo Spirits Group to launch a number of new whiskey brands.

“The Bardstown Bourbon Company is reshaping the American whiskey market,” said David Mandell, president and CEO of the firm.

“The success of our Collaborative Distilling Program demonstrates the massive demand for custom, authentic, Kentucky whiskey products. We’re excited to begin producing Bourbon for our customers and our own brands.”

The distillery will open its visitors and events centre to the public in early 2017, which will contain “one of the largest collections of whiskey in the state of Kentucky”.

Visitors will have the opportunity to take part in educational experiences, tours and tastings, while a restaurant and boutique hotel will eventually be built on the site.

“We’ve turned on the whiskey at the Bardstown Bourbon Company,” said master distiller Steve Nally, who is also a Bourbon Hall of Fame member and former Maker’s Mark master distiller.

“I’m so proud to be starting up this incredible operation in my hometown. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and we’re excited to share it with the world soon.”