News

Luxco Announces Bardstown Distillery
An architect rendering for Luxco's new distillery.

An architect rendering for Luxco’s new distillery.

This week Luxco confirmed plans to build a distillery in Bardstown, KY.  The distillery is yet to be named, and is expected to be operational by the end of 2017.

With the current whiskey boom seeing no slowing down in the near future, being able to distill its own whiskey is crucial to Luxco’s continued growth.  It may be harder and harder to source whiskey in the future.

Construction is set to begin this summer by Buzick Construction, who have built other distilleries over the years.  Luxco’s new distillery will employ more than 30 people, and the company is hoping it will be a new stop along the Kentucky Bourbon Trail.

Read the full press release below:

(St. Louis) April 4, 2016 – Luxco announced today the company has finalized plans to build a distillery, located in Nelson County, Kentucky. Luxco has chosen to build the distillery on a 70-acre site off state highway KY-245 in the heart of Bardstown and Bourbon Capital of the World. The company announced preliminary plans for the distillery in late 2015, and the distillery is expected to be fully operational by late 2017.

Construction on the project will begin in the summer of 2016. Buzick Construction has been awarded the contract for the project. When finished, the distillery will be approximately 18,000 square feet, have six barrel warehouses and will employ an estimated 34 people. In addition, the distillery will feature a tasting room and event space and will offer visitors a new stop on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail.

“We are looking forward to building the distillery on this scenic property and in such a central location in Bardstown,” says David Bratcher, President and COO of Luxco. “We intend the distillery to be a welcoming stop for those visiting the Kentucky Bourbon Trail and we are excited to bring our bourbon experience and brands to Nelson County.”

The distillery will be built alongside an existing house on the property, which is registered as a National Historic Place and will remain. Architect renderings of the new distillery, created by Joseph & Joseph Architects out of Louisville, are available upon request.

With the rapid growth of Luxco’s bourbon brands, such as Rebel Yell, Blood Oath and Ezra Brooks, the company decided to build this new distillery in order to meet its increasing whiskey demand.

“At Luxco, we are always looking to be innovative,” says Bratcher. “Building this distillery will allow us to control our own production as well as offer us the ability to experiment with new and innovative mash bills, barrel types and aging techniques.”

Luxco has received support for the distillery from various entities within Kentucky.

“We are pleased with the support we have received from the Kentucky Economic Development Cabinet, the Nelson County Economic Development Agency and City and County government officials,” said Donn Lux, Chairman of Luxco.

The Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority (KEDFA) preliminarily approved the company for $1.3 million in tax incentives for the project. The Joint City-County Planning Commission also approved rezoning of the land for this project. Luxco also owns 50 percent interest in the Limestone Branch Distillery in Lebanon, Kentucky – which produces Yellowstone Kentucky Straight Bourbon.

“We are excited to have Luxco become a part of our community,” says Dean Watts, Nelson County Judge Executive. “Their history and success in the liquor industry will greatly enhance our County.”

Blood Oath Pact No. 2 Announced
Photo courtesy of Luxco.

Photo courtesy of Luxco.

Luxco announced the release of Blood Oath Pact No. 2, a blend of a 7-year-old port barrel-finished bourbon, an 11-year-old wheated bourbon and an 11-year-old rye-based bourbon.  The average age of the whiskies used here is older than last year’s solid release (read my notes here).  There’s more to go around this time, too.  7,500 3-pack cases of this blend have been created for sale, compared to the 5,000 3-pack cases of Pact No. 1.  This release comes with a suggested retail price of $99.99.

Read the full press release below:

(St. Louis) March 28, 2016 – St. Louis-based Luxco has launched Blood Oath Pact No. 2 – the second expression in the limited release, ultra-premium bourbon series, Blood Oath. Blood Oath combines rare, top-notch bourbons, blended and bottled by hand for a distinctively exclusive and unimagined Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey. Pact No. 2 is a masterful union of three well-bred bourbons ranging in age from seven to 11 years. The first, a seven year rye bourbon finished in port barrels, is artfully joined by an 11 year wheated bourbon and an 11 year rye bourbon. Pact No. 2, bottled at 98.6 proof, is available in limited quantities nationally in 750ml bottles, with a suggested price of $99.99.

“Pact No. 2 is a rich marriage of three carefully selected bourbons, hand blended and bottled for a unique combination and exceptional taste,” says John Rempe, creator of Blood Oath and Director of Corporate Research and Development at Luxco. “The rye mash bill of the 11 year offers an oaky and spicy flavor, which is smoothed out by the extra-aged wheated bourbon – while the port-barrel finished rye brings it all together with a velvety sweet finish.”

Blood Oath Pact No. 2, just like its predecessor, is topped with a custom, eco-friendly natural cork, sealed and labeled with certificate-style paper stock signed by John Rempe. New for this year, each bottle of Blood Oath Pact No. 2 will be sold in a commemorative fire-branded wooden box. The Blood Oath series launched in 2015 with Pact No. 1, and will highlight a different variant, or Pact, each year.

“Pact No. 2 has a slightly fuller mouthfeel than Pact No. 1 with an oaky, caramel and cocoa aroma and a smooth flavor. The port-barrel finish really brings out the spice and fruit finish flavors,” says Rempe. “The freedom to choose the bourbons with the most complementary flavor profiles for Blood Oath allows us to create something truly special.”

Pact No. 2 is limited release, with only 7,500 3-packs created – this bourbon will never be made again.

For more information on Blood Oath, visit www.bloodoathbourbon.com

High West Releases 14-year-old Light Whiskey
Photo courtesy of High West.

Photo courtesy of High West.

Utah-based distillery High West announced a limited edition 14-year-old light whiskey.  This offering is available starting today at their distillery at Blue Sky Ranch for $99.99.

Light whiskey is whiskey distilled higher than 80% abv and up to 95% abv.  Anything distilled above 95% is considered a grain neutral spirit (i.e. vodka).  High West aged this distillate in used barrels, essentially lowering the amount of barrel influence during maturation.

Read the full press release below:

PARK CITY, Utah (March 17, 2016) — Come see the light! High West Distillery, Utah’s first legal distillery since 1870, releases a limited edition 14-Year Light Whiskey. Beginning March 19, this special bottling is available exclusively to visitors at the High West Distillery at Blue Sky Ranch, followed by a roll out at the High West Saloon & Distillery in historic Old Town Park City on April 16.

“At High West, we believe education leads to appreciation so we wanted to shed some light on this rarely discussed type of whiskey,” says High West founder David Perkins. “This is a spirit that’s not likely to be available again for a long time.”

Light whiskey denotes a grain spirit that’s been distilled at a higher proof than a straight whiskey — between 80-95% alcohol by volume (ABV) versus less than 80% ABV respectively. It’s typically used as a component in about 95% of the world’s blended whiskeys. In the U.K., what they call grain whiskey is essentially the same thing as light whiskey.

“This whiskey was distilled at a higher proof on the still, which reduces the heaviness of the flavors, and reveals more floral and fruit subtleties,” said High West master distiller Brendan Coyle. “It was aged in used barrels, as opposed to first-use charred barrels, which lends more elegant complexities with a spirit-forward character.”

High West discovered 100 stunning barrels of light whiskey at MGP made from corn that was distilled between 1999 and 2001, aged in second-fill barrels. That wood aging imparted a traditionally light spirit with lovely vanilla and white chocolate notes, and an intriguing Concord grape overlay—to anything but typical results.

High West encourages you to indulge in this special offering all on its own—neat, with a touch of water, or on the rocks. The 14-Year Light Whiskey will retail for $99.95.