Brown-Forman announced yesterday it plans to build a $30 million distillery on Whiskey Row in downtown Louisville. According to the story on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail’s website, “Brown-Forman will open a distillery and bourbon experience for its founding brand, Old Forester, in two historic buildings at 117 and 119 Main St. in Louisville. The combined buildings have approximately 55,000 square feet with 52 linear feet facing Main Street. The investment will include renovating the buildings and purchasing equipment. The new distillery will be able to distill 100 percent of Old Forester’s business today.
In addition to production, the distillery also would serve as a home place for the Old Forester brand. The facility would be open to tours and feature a tasting room, exhibits, bourbon-making demonstrations and event spaces.
‘George Garvin Brown introduced Old Forester, America’s first bottled bourbon, more than 140 years ago, and with that, he changed our industry and Louisville community forever,” said Paul Varga, CEO of Brown-Forman Corporation. “As demand for high quality bourbon continues to increase, the Old Forester Distillery will enable us to expand capacity to share not only one of the greatest tasting bourbons with more of the world, and share the story of one of Kentucky’s bourbon icons.’”
The new distillery is expected to open in the fall of 2016. It will be the fifth bourbon distillery to open in downtown Louisville by the time it is complete..
Bourbons Bistro will offer a Bourbon 101 class tonight at 7 p.m. This is an opportunity to learn bourbon from Jason Brauner, owner of Louisville’s first ever bourbon-themed restaurant. Tickets are $20 per person.
The Taste of Innovation and Bourbon portion of the Idea Festival is happening Wednesday. Click here for details.
The Bourbon Review has published some reviews of the recent fall release bourbons. Click here for their review of Parker’s Heritage. Click here for their review of Old Forrester Birthday. Click here for their review of Four Roses Limited Edition Small Batch. Click here for their review of Elijah Craig 23 year.
If you happen to be in Lexington on Saturday, the Bourbon Review gents are hosting a bourbon and country ham pairing at Belle’s Cocktail House. Tickets are $20 at the door. Louisville author and country ham expert Steve Coomes will be serving a country ham he personally cured. Click here for details.
Friday and Saturday, Knob Creek will be hosting the campout that was subject of their sweepstakes earlier this year. According to their PR person, “On September 26th and 27th, Knob Creek Bourbon will be hosting a campout for 10 lucky sweepstakes winners at the Jim Beam Distillery in Clermont, Kentucky! Lucky winners and their guests from CA, FL, GA, KY, MD, NY, NC, TX, VA and PA will experience a one-of-a-kind grilling experience right at the distillery.” Chef Michael Symon will be cooking for the crowd, and Whiskey Bent Valley Boys will be playing.
And in case you missed this, The Filson Historical Society is going to be opening a 100 year old bottle of bourbon on repeal day in December. The event is already sold out.
The Legends Series with Fred Minnick is back at the Kentucky Derby Museum. Click here for details.
Don't forget to check out Ten Surprising Ways Bourbon Has Shaped Louisville And Louisville Has Shaped Bourbon.
Photos Courtesy of Old Forester, Bourbons Bistro, Taste of Innovation, Steve Coomes, and Knob Creek
