Angel’s Envy embarks on $8.2m distillery expansion

Bacardi-owned Angel’s Envy Bourbon has revealed an US$8.2 million expansion of its Louisville distillery and visitor centre, which is due to be completed next year.

The Bourbon brand opened its US$27m distillery and visitor centre in Louisville, Kentucky, in November 2016. The site was the first full-production whiskey distillery in downtown Louisville when it opened at 500 East Main Street.

The expansion will add more than 13,000 square feet to the Angel’s Envy brand home, and will include a new events space and an additional bar, a larger retail space and five tasting rooms.

The site will boost annual guest capacity to 64,000 and create approximately 20 new jobs in the city.

“Since opening the doors to our distillery in 2016, we’ve been so fortunate to see increased demand from guests hoping to visit us and take part in tours, experiences and classes,” said Angel’s Envy co-founder and chief innovation officer, Wes Henderson.

“This expansion will double the number of fans we’re able to meet and raise a glass of Angel’s Envy with throughout the year.”

The additional tasting rooms will be used for Bourbon tastings, while the events space and catering kitchen will allow the distillery to host pairing dinners and private gatherings. The expansion will also add a room for Angel’s Envy’s ‘Bottle your Own’ experience, allowing guests to fill their own bottles of distillery-exclusive expressions.

Construction started in late 2020 and is due to be completed in spring 2022. The distillery will remain open to the public during construction.

Innovation will remain a core part of the business, Henderson told The Spirits Business last year.

In August 2020, Angel’s Envy launched a Bourbon finished in Japanese mizunara oak casks to mark its 10th anniversary.

Bacardi purchased Angel’s Envy for an undisclosed sum in March 2015.