Company to invest $4.2 million, add two new Bourbon barrel aging warehouses
FRANKFORT, Ky. (August 5, 2010) – Gov. Steve Beshear today announced an expansion at Heaven Hill Distilleries Inc. in Bardstown. Due to an increase in demand for the company’s Bourbon and American Whiskeys, Heaven Hill is expanding its barrel storage and aging operations in Nelson County with the construction of two new Bourbon barrel storage warehouses, or rickhouses. The project entails a capital investment of $4.2 million in the Commonwealth.
“Kentucky is pleased to be part of the continued growth of one of our signature industries,” said Gov. Beshear. “The additional barrel storage and aging facilities at Heaven Hill will only further enhance the company’s standing as the world’s second-largest Bourbon producer and Bardstown’s reputation as the Bourbon Capital of the World.”
Founded in 1934, Heaven Hill Distilleries is the nation’s largest independent family-owned and operated producer and marketer of distilled spirits. The company produces globally recognized brands such as Evan Williams, the world’s second-largest selling Kentucky Straight Bourbon, and Christian Brothers Brandy, one of the top three-selling brandies in the United States.
The planned expansion at Heaven Hill will consist of two nearly 20,000 square-foot Bourbon barrel aging warehouses, increasing the company’s aging capacity in Nelson County by 45,936 barrels per year and giving Heaven Hill a total storage capacity of nearly one million barrels. Construction will begin immediately and is expected to be complete by late January 2011.
“The construction of these new warehouses is just another indication of not only the continued growth of our Evan Williams, Elijah Craig and other Bourbon brands but attests to the vitality of the Bourbon category around the world,” said Max Shapira, president of Heaven Hill Distilleries.
The Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority preliminarily approved Heaven Hill Distilleries for tax incentives up to $88,200 through the Kentucky Enterprise Initiative Act. The incentive program allows approved companies to recoup Kentucky sales and use tax on building and construction materials, equipment used for research and development and electronic processing systems.
“Heaven Hill Distilleries is one of Nelson County’s anchor manufacturers, and we thank the Shapira family for their continued investment in our community,” said Dean Watts, Nelson County Judge Executive.
“Heaven Hill Distilleries is one of our key industries and continues to gain market share, resulting in this great news of expansion of the Bourbon industry here in Bardstown and Nelson County,” added Bardstown Mayor Dick Heaton.
A detailed community profile for Bardstown (Nelson County) can be viewed at http://thinkkentucky.com/EDIS/cmnty/index.aspx?cw=032. Information on Kentucky’s economic development efforts and programs is available at www.ThinkKentucky.com.
About Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc.
Founded in 1934, Bardstown, Ky.-based Heaven Hill Distilleries Inc. (www.heavenhill.com) is the nation’s largest independent, family-owned and operated spirits producer and marketer and the world’s second-largest holder of Kentucky Bourbon. Heaven Hill’s diversified portfolio of brands includes The Christian Brothers Brandies; Evan Williams and Elijah Craig Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskeys; Burnett’s Vodkas and Gin; Hpnotiq Liqueur; PAMA Pomegranate Liqueur; Lunazul and Two Fingers Tequilas and Dubonnet Aperitif.
Heaven Hill reminds you to “Think Wisely. Drink Wisely.”
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CONTACT:
Kerri Richardson
502.564.2611
502.330.6633
Larry Kass
Director of Corporate Communications
Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc.
(502) 413-0220
lkass@heaven-hill.com