The Western Kentucky Distilling Co. in Beaver Dam completed a major construction milestone on Monday with the installation of its copper whiskey still, which had to be dropped in through the roof via a crane. The 100% Kentucky-owned, $30 million distillery is expected to open in late summer.
The distillery is being launched under the leadership of eighth-generation distiller and Kentuckian Jacob Call, who will serve as COO and Master Distiller, alongside Kentucky native JD Edwards, president of the distillery.
Call previously served as the master distiller and director of operations at Owensboro’s Green River Distilling Co. In June 2022, Bardstown Bourbon Company announced plans to purchase Green River Spirits, including the distillery.
The announcement about Western Kentucky Distilling Co. breaking ground in Ohio County with Call at the helm came in November 2022.
“After Green River was purchased, it was bought out by another company. I wanted to go do my own thing, and this site was perfect for us. There’s plenty of room to expand. There’s 1,200 acres here, and it was really shovel-ready,” Call said. “The reception has been fantastic from Ohio County. The judge and economic development folks have been great. Anytime we need something, they jump right on it to help out. The community has been great.”
Western Kentucky Distilling Co. is located at 1880 Old Liberty Church Road in Beaver Dam on land that used to be a farm. The 25,000-square-foot distillery will feature 15 warehouses, the first of which will be ready by June 1. It will have the capacity to distill 50,000 barrels per year and store 250,000 barrels.
The Western Kentucky Distilling Co. team is supporting the Kentucky economy by purchasing all cooking, fermenting, and distilling equipment in the state and is planning to use all locally grown Kentucky corn in products.
“From the best ingredients to an ideal climate for aging, Kentucky is known worldwide as the best place for making whiskey,” Call said previously. “As someone whose family goes back eight generations in both Kentucky and distilling, I’m proud to be a partner and to help build the new Western Kentucky Distilling Co. At the distillery, we’re celebrating all things Kentucky from our ingredients and equipment to our 100% Kentucky ownership.”
The distillery will focus on contract distilling to start, with signature brands and a visitor’s center down the road. For more information, visit wkydistilling.com.
