Whiskey House of Kentucky strikes rickhouse deal
A new partnership with the Koetter Group will yield Whiskey House of Kentucky 12 new state-of-the-art rickhouses.
The 12 new rickhouses will use K-RAX barrel storage technology and will be built over the next six years on Whisky House of Kentucky’s property in Elizabethtown.
Each warehouse will be seven storeys high and hold 48,084 barrels. They will be designed to improve barrel maturation performance, enhance worker and contractor safety and reduce maintenance, as well as adding structural integrity and longevity.
“As the leader in custom whiskey production, we want the most innovative and advanced rickhouses in the industry for our exclusive customers,” said David Mandell, Whiskey House co-founder and CEO. “The Koetter Group provides us with an incredible product that delivers significant improvements in warehouse maturation, air flow, safety, and durability.”
The K-RAX warehouse design increases airflow by using a full-length vented cupola in conjunction with continuous floor vents around the perimeter of the building. In addition to facilitating airflow, the vents also allow alcohol vapours to exit the building, reducing barrel and structural damage.
“The Koetter Group could not be more excited to partner with Whiskey House,” said Bob Koetter, owner and CEO of the Koetter Group. “Over the years, we have been asked by multiple distilleries to help innovate barrel storage warehouses. We are very thankful that Whiskey House is giving us the opportunity to bring our innovation and advanced warehouse solutions to the Bourbon industry.”
Phillips Brothers Construction began construction of warehouses five and six at Whiskey House in March 2025. Construction on the K-RAX warehouses began on 16 June.
Since beginning operations on 1 July 2024, Whiskey House has produced more than 97,000 barrels, 56 unique mashbills, and 59 different recipes.
Last week, Bardstown-based Buzick Construction hit the Whiskey House of Kentucky with a US$1.65 million legal claim for fees owed during the build of its new distillery. Mandell called the lien “a minor blip” that would be resolved quickly.
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