Log Still Distillery plans $24 million expansion

Entrepreneur JW Dant has unveiled the second phase of his Log Still Distillery project in Kentucky, US, following a US$24 million investment.

Plans for the Log Still Distillery in Nelson County, Kentucky, were first revealed in 2019 as a US$12m investment.

The second phase of the project will include Dant Crossing, a 300-acre campus that will be home to the distillery, a tasting room, amphitheatre, restaurant, train depot and event/conference centre. The site will add a visitor centre, museum and gift shop in 2022.

The second phase of the project, which will be rolled out over the next year, is expected to create 126 full-time jobs.

Log Still’s portfolio will include Bourbon, rye whiskey and gin under the Monk’s Road brand, and a range of Tennessee whiskeys under the Rattle and Snap label. Spirits from the site will be available in the coming weeks.

The site welcomed its first visitors earlier this year when it opened the Homestead Bed & Breakfast at Dant Crossing.

Dant is the great-great-great grandson of Joseph Washington Dant, a Kentucky distiller during the 1830s who was known for making whiskey using a log still.

Dant, Log Still Distillery’s president and distiller, said: “We are thrilled to move forward in creating destinations that will bring vibrancy, jobs and economic growth to southern Nelson County and the state of Kentucky as a whole.

“Southern Nelson County has been home to generations of Dants, and we are honoured to help put it back on the tourism attraction map. We look forward to welcoming guests in the weeks, months and years to come.”

Log Still Distillery received approval from the Kentucky Tourism Development Finance Authority (KEDFA) for incentives through the Tourism Development Act. The distillery will receive a tax incentive of US$6m for its phase two tourism expansion.

In March, the KEDFA approved Log Still for up to US$500,000 in tax incentives through the Kentucky Enterprise Initiative Act (KEIA) based on the company’s total investment of US$24m.

‘Impressive’ expansion

“We continue to position Kentucky for a better future while overcoming the challenges we all faced over the past year,” said Kentucky governor Andy Beshear.

“The growth, success and support of the distilling industry played an important role last year and will continue to move our state forward.

“Log Still Distillery not only continued with its plans for growth, but expanded those plans in an impressive way. This company’s vision for the future makes it a great fit for Nelson County and for Kentucky.”

Kentucky’s tourism sector is an US$11.8 billion industry, according to the state’s Cabinet for Economic Development.
Nelson County is home to 66 spirits operations, employing more than 5,100 people full time.

In 2020, the industry revealed 20 projects in Kentucky, representing more than US$300m in new investment and nearly 230 projected jobs.