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SPI Group plans US$150m Bourbon distillery in Kentucky
SPI Group is considering building a US$150 million distillery in Kentucky, nine months after entering the American whiskey category with the purchase of Kentucky Owl Bourbon.
SPI Group acquired Kentucky Owl Bourbon for an undisclosed sum in January
According to a document released by the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority, Strigiformes LLC – a subsidiary of SPI Group – “is considering property in Bardstown to establish a distillery, rickhouses, visitors centre and other related facilities for the production of Bourbon”.
SPI, which also produces Stolichnaya Vodka, Bayou Rum and Kah Tequila, has pledged an investment of US$2.75m for land, US$115.6m for buildings and improvements, US$26.4m for equipment, and US$5m for other start-up costs.
The authority has approved US$2m in tax incentives for the project, which would create 77 jobs.
The firm bought Kentucky Owl Bourbon, described as a “pre-Prohibition era brand”, for an undisclosed amount back in January.
Kentucky Owl was produced by Charles Mortimer Dedman 1916 until authorities confiscated 250,000 gallons of stock due to the rise teetolism ahead of Prohibition.
The stock was stored in a Kentucky warehouse, which was burned to the ground in 1919 by a supposed mob boss.
The Spirits Business has approached SPI Group for comment.