The Jim Beam Urban Stillhouse has opened in the Fourth Street Live entertainment district, near the corner of 4th and Liberty. It is a working distillery with a tiny Vendome copper still right up front in the window where passersby can watch the process in action, adding a new bourbon-y flair to the tourism district.
Though the space is considerably smaller than a typical distillery, they’ve managed the space well. There’s an enormous tasting bar at the back of the room, a huge gift shop complete with bottles for purchase, and interactive and video screens. What’s most impressive, though, is that visitors can fill their own bottles in the bottle filling room. To get around one of Kentucky’s many archaic liquor laws, bottles are placed in a conveyor, hoisted overhead, and delivered safely behind the cash register for purchase. It’s an ingenious solution that’s also really fun to watch.
This makes the fourth downtown distillery and visitor’s center in Louisville, and the fifth in Jefferson County. Joining Jim Beam in the next couple of years will be Michter’s at the Fort Nelson Building, Angel’s Envy on Main Street, and Old Forester at Whisky Row on Main. Distilleries are opening up at breakneck speed to meet demand, and visitor’s centers are following in response to record bourbon tourism. Walkable bourbon tourism is going to be the next big thing in Louisville.
Address
404 South 4th Street, Louisville, KY 40202
Hours of Operation
Monday - Thursday: Noon to 9 p.m.
Friday - Saturday: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Sunday: Noon to 6 p.m.
Photos Courtesy of Maggie Kimberl
