BLUEGRASS DISTILLERS BREAKS GROUND ON MAJOR EXPANSION AT HISTORIC ELKWOOD FARM

MIDWAY, KY, FEBRUARY 3, 2023 - Bluegrass Distillers, a leading distiller of craft spirits, currently located in Lexington, Kentucky, is proud to announce the start of construction on a new distillery, visitor center, and barrel facilities in Midway, KY, at historic Elkwood Farm. The distillery is owned by Sam Rock and Ben Franzini of Lexington.

The new distillery will include a 36” column still and six 18,000 gallon fermentation tanks, designed with room to allow for future growth. The facility will also house offices, labs, tasting and event space and a bottling line. 

“We are thrilled to break ground on our new distillery in Midway,” said Bluegrass Distillers co-owner Rock. “This new best of class facility will allow us to massively expand production of our spirits and grow our reach while creating jobs and contributing to the local economy.”

The $8 million investment will increase Bluegrass Distillers’ production capacity by over 100 times to meet the growing demand for its award-winning bourbons. In addition, the construction of a 18,000 barrel warehouse will begin next month.  

Elkwood Farm is listed on the National Historic Register and the former primary residence will serve as a visitor center, gift shop, and cocktail lounge for guests visiting the distillery. Bluegrass also grows its blue corn and potentially other grains on the farm.  It will attempt to source its grains from Woodford and the surrounding counties.

To commemorate this milestone, Bluegrass has announced the first ever release of Elkwood Reserve, a 9 year single barrel bourbon whiskey. This limited release product will be available at their Lexington, KY gift shop.

“Bluegrass has been distilling for 9 years and the release of Elkwood Reserve exemplifies the premium bourbons we will be showcasing with our complete grain-to-glass experience at Elkwood Farm,” said co-owner Franzini. “Our team’s experience paired with the state-of-the-art equipment and facilities we are building will allow us to take everything we do to the next level.”

Bluegrass Distillers plans to open Elkwood Farm to visitors and begin production in the Fall of 2023.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DECEMBER 15, 2020

Bluegrass Distillers Announces Major Expansion in Midway, KY 

LEXINGTON, Kentucky - Bluegrass Distillers, a craft distillery in Lexington, has announced the purchase of Elkwood Farm in Midway, KY. The Elkwood, listed on the National Historic Register, was built in 1835. The property is located at 158 Leestown Rd., Midway, KY, off the Midway exit of US Highway 64. The new location will include an expanded distillery, barrel warehouses, tasting room, visitor center, and event space. The distillery is owned by Sam Rock and Ben Franzini of Lexington.

The development plan includes a tasting room in the historic Elkwood Mansion. The production facilities are designed to facilitate contract distilling and a bottling operation. The company’s production capacity will increase from a little less than 1 barrel a day to approximately 20 barrels per 8 hour shift. The grounds will also have space for barrel storage.

The project will highlight grain to glass bourbon production. The company will grow approximately 40-45 acres of blue and yellow corn on the property.

According to Woodford County native Sam Rock, “We are thrilled to be moving our operations to Elkwood Farm in Midway, KY. We have been looking in Midway for over 3 years, and at this particular location for most of that time. So it was the date we always wanted. The layout of the farm and the history of the structures make for a perfect venue to demonstrate grain to glass bourbon production. We can now grow blue corn on our own land, and will have spent grains for local farmers.”

Following construction and renovations, distilling operations will begin and the grounds will open for visitor tours as well as family-friendly, community events and concerts in the summer of 2022.

Franzini added, “Midway has a rich distilling tradition and the town has been extremely gracious and welcoming. The Midway Mayor and Economic Development Authority have been with us every step of the way and we could not have pulled it together without their help. We could not ask for a better location or town to build our future.”

Bluegrass Distillers started from scratch mashing each ounce of grain by hand, and opened its doors on West 6th Street in Lexington, KY in 2013 at its current distillery in the Bread Box building. The Distillery is community-focused, and gives back through their Philanthropy Barrel Program. In 2020, the company raised and donated over $45,000 to local nonprofits through the Philanthropy Barrel Program. View the news article here.