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Bluegrass Distillers plans $8m Kentucky site
Bourbon maker Bluegrass Distillers will build a new US$8 million distillery in Kentucky to increase its production capacity by more than 100 times.
The new distillery will be located on Elkwood Farm in the city of Midway, located in Woodford County, Kentucky.
The property, built in 1835, was initially purchased by the distiller in 2020.
The new site, which is due to open in autumn 2023, will also provide contract distilling and a bottling operation.
The facility will house a 36-inch column still and six 18,000-gallon fermentation tanks with room for future growth, alongside barrel warehouses, a bottling line, tasting room, visitor centre and events space.
The new project is expected to create 22 full-time jobs.
Bluegrass Distillers co-owner Sam Rock said: “This new, best-of-class facility will allow us to massively expand production of our spirits and grow our reach while creating jobs and contributing to the local economy.”
Based in Lexington, Kentucky, since 2013, Bluegrass Distillers’ range includes Kentucky straight blue corn Bourbon, wheated Bourbon, five rye whiskies and seasonal releases.
“Bluegrass has been distilling for nine years, and the release of Elkwood Reserve exemplifies the premium Bourbons we will be showcasing with our complete grain-to-glass experience at Elkwood Farm,” added co-owner Ben Franzini.
“Our team’s experience paired with the state-of-the-art equipment and facilities we are building will allow us to take everything we do to the next level.”
Since the start of governor Andy Beshear’s administration in 2019, the spirits industry has seen approximately 80 new sites or expansion projects totalling more than US$2.9 billion in planned investments, and the creation of more than 1,400 full-time jobs.
Last year, the state’s spirits sector recorded its best year for growth, with US$2.1bn in new investments, which are expected to create 700 full-time jobs.
Kentucky Bourbon producers are trying to change the way in which taxes are levied on ageing barrels of spirits.