Thanks to the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority, you can soon get more Heaven Hill. Maybe even twice as much and how can you go wrong with that.
Heaven Hill Distilleries was approved for the tax credits it sought in order to add four processing fermenters by next year. In doing so, they will expand production by 50%. That equals 101,000 barrels and 10 new jobs in the area. The company plans to invest over $5 million into the project.
As a general rule, a tax incentive means a company can keep the money that would otherwise be paid in taxes equal to that amount of money. In Heaven Hill’s case, that would equal $80,000 for the Bernheim Distillery at 1701 West Breckinridge Street where the expansion will take place.
The timing couldn’t be better. National Geographic has made the Kentucky Bourbon Trail one of the top ten “Best Spring Trips.” That’s alongside trips and celebrations in New Zealand, Romania and other worldly destinations. The Bourbon Trail consists of Kentucky distilleries like the Heaven Hill in Bardstown as well as Four Roses, Wild Turkey and more locations around the state.
It’ll be a great talking point going into the Bourbon Classic weekend March 22-23 when the masters of the bourbon arts, both experts and connoisseurs, convene at the Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts. Surely tongues will be wagging about the good news at that event.
As they expand here, Heaven Hill also has expansion plans for Nelson County as well. That expenditure is expected to be over $10 million for two barrel aging warehouses.
It’s not the first time the state has expedited a Heaven Hill expansion. Last year they got approval to create the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience which includes a retail shop and a working microdistillery downtown on Main Street. You’ll get bourbon history as well as tastings in downtown Louisville. That project is expected to open in the fall.
