On April 7th, we celebrated a major milestone in Heaven Hill’s story — the filling of the very first barrel at our new Heaven Hill Springs Distillery in Bardstown, Kentucky. It was a day filled with pride and excitement as we officially began a new chapter nearly 30 years after the fire that took the original distillery.

The event brought together people to witness the return of distilling to the Bourbon Capital of the World. In a full-circle moment, Charlie Downs, Master Distiller Emeritus, was invited to lead the first barrel filling. Charlie is the only employee to have worked at all three of Heaven Hill’s distilleries, and his return to Bardstown to celebrate this milestone is a powerful reminder of the legacy that has shaped Heaven Hill over the years.

The Heaven Hill Springs Distillery will produce 150,000 barrels annually, with future capacity up to 450,000 — ensuring that our tradition of quality Bourbon-making will thrive for generations. This isn’t just about a new building or a new barrel; it’s about the future of Heaven Hill. It shows our commitment to making great Bourbon, while embracing growth and change with each new chapter. And the best part? This is just the beginning. We can’t wait to see what the next 90 years hold!