Passing along some news.  I’ve got to think MGP’s recent press boom fueled this idea.  It gives smaller companies looking to “create” their own whiskey a great opportunity.  Here’s the full press release:

Bardstown, KY (December 14, 2015) – The Bardstown Bourbon Company is pleased to announce an innovative Collaborative Whiskey, Bourbon, and Rye Wholesale Distilling Program. Slated to open in Summer 2016, the new distillery will offer wholesale customers the opportunity to create custom, authentic, Kentucky whiskey products and will also provide comprehensive barrel financing. The Program promises to expand the explosive growth of the craft distilling industry by providing craft distillers and brand owners high quality whiskey to strengthen their supply.

Currently, many craft distillers and brand owners obtain their whiskey from large industrial distilleries, are limited in their ability to produce custom products, have no financing options, and are reluctant to promote the location and source of their whiskey. With a production team led by Bourbon Hall of Fame Master Distiller, Steve Nally – a 40-year veteran of the spirits industry and formerly the Master Distiller of Maker’s Mark – the Bardstown Bourbon Company will provide craft distillers and brand owners the opportunity to:

• Work with a team of whiskey experts to create their own authentic and innovative Kentucky whiskey products;
• Benefit from highly competitive wholesale prices;
• Ensure consistent, high quality production that can rapidly scale;
• Control the future source for their product;
• Finance new fill barrel production and aging, and
• Provide a production location and environment that they can celebrate and promote.

“We are very excited to offer a suite of much needed services that we believe will help foster continued innovation and growth in the whiskey industry,” said David Mandell, President & CEO of The Bardstown Bourbon Company.

The Company, in collaboration with Live Oak Bank, the second largest SBA lender in the country, is offering customers comprehensive financing of the purchase price of newly filled barrels with terms of up to 10 years. This is an enormous benefit in an industry that is capital intensive and often without many good banking options.

“This program is a game changer,” said Daniel Linde, Chief Financial Officer of the Company. “As the first company to offer a comprehensive barrel financing program for whiskey, we are helping our customers continue to develop and grow their brands, without tying up all of their capital in production.”

As the domestic and international whiskey and bourbon market continues to expand, The Bardstown Bourbon Company will help its customers meet growing demand. The distillery has an initial 1.5 million proof-gallon capacity with barrel storage on its property for up to 185K barrels. The distillery is also designed to easily expand as production grows.

In addition, The Bardstown Bourbon Company offers a unique environment to showcase customer products. Set on 100 acres of active farmland and adjacent to the Bluegrass Parkway, The Bardstown Bourbon Company and its 37,000 square foot distillery form the gateway to Bardstown, Kentucky, the “Bourbon Capital of the World.”

“This is such an exciting time for bourbon,” explained Steve Nally, Master Distiller of The Bardstown Bourbon Company. “I look forward to working with other distillers and brand owners to make great products. We also look forward to integrating some of these brands into the Bardstown Bourbon Company’s visitor experience, and we will use our facility to highlight and promote their brands.”

Photo courtesy of Limestone Branch Distillery

On the heels of the one-time bottling of Yellowstone Limited Edition in the fall of 2015, Limestone Branch Distillery and Luxco announced the first new permanent bourbon expression carrying the Yellowstone name.  Yellowstone Select is a blend of sourced 4-year and 7 year bourbons.  I’m told production size is 10,000 cases a year.  You should begin seeing the new Yellowstone Select in stores late December/January.  Also of interest is the last paragraph in their press release.

Below is the full press release:

(Lebanon, Ky.) December 14, 2015 – Limestone Branch Distillery introduces Yellowstone Select Kentucky Straight Bourbon, set to hit the market this month. Bottled at 93 proof and available in a 750ml bottle with a commemorative tube, Yellowstone Select is crafted using hand-selected barrels of 4-year and 7-year Kentucky Straight Bourbon.

“Yellowstone Select uses some of the finest hand-selected barrels available to create a well-rounded bourbon –  a spicy rye taste at first rounding out with caramel notes and a rich, brown sugar finish that highlights Kentucky tradition,” says Steve Beam, president and distiller of Limestone Branch Distillery. “In 2010, my family and I founded Limestone Branch Distillery with the intention of crafting only the finest whiskey and the dream of restoring the Yellowstone brand to its former glory. In the spring of 2015, that dream came true, and to celebrate this family reunion of sorts, we bring you Yellowstone Select Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey.”

Yellowstone Select’s suggested retail price is $49.99 and will be available nationally. It is the second offering from Limestone Branch Distillery, following the success of Yellowstone Limited Edition, which launched in fall 2015.

Steve Beam and his brother Paul Beam founded Limestone Branch Distillery in 2010. The distillery is known for its Moon Pie Moonshine, T.J. Pottinger Sugar Shine and Precinct No. 6 whiskey. With a history of distilling on both sides of their family, the brothers are seventh-generation distillers, and are currently working on the original Yellowstone recipe.

“Bringing the Yellowstone brand back to our family continues to be a point of pride, and we will continue to create unique bourbons that celebrate the brand’s rich history,” says Steve Beam.

In addition, in fall of 2016, Limestone Branch is planning on launching the Yellowstone Barrel Selection Program, where consumers can create a one-of-a-kind bourbon experience. The program will allow participants to choose their own mash bill, barrel size, barrel char level and aging level, as well as allowing them to choose their level of involvement in the process. Participants will be able to select their personalized bourbon and visit the distillery to fill the barrel and bottle the product.

(Note: Revised 12/15/15 to mention Yellowstone Select is a blend of sourced whiskies.)