The Western Kentucky Distilling Co. is building a new $30 million, state-of-the-art distillery in Beaver Dam. Scheduled to open mid-2023 as the first official distillery in Ohio County, it will bring more jobs, bourbon, and rye whiskey to Western Kentucky. The distillery will launch under the leadership of Jacob Call, who previously was the master distiller and director of operations at Owensboro’s Green River Distilling Co.
The initial investment for Western Kentucky Distilling Co. is $22 million with a phase two expected to bring the total investment to $30 million.
Call, is an eighth-generation distiller, will serve as COO and master distiller alongside president JD Edwards. Both Call and Edwards are Kentucky natives and have many years of experience in the distilling industry. They will deliver whiskey “made with the best ingredients and quality craftsmanship using long-standing traditional distilling techniques,” according to a release from the company.
“From the best ingredients to an ideal climate for aging, Kentucky is known worldwide as the best place for making whiskey,” said Call. “As someone who’s 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. We look forward to opening next year.”
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 is on 80 acres and will feature 15 warehouses adding an additional 300,000 square feet. It will have the capacity to distill 50,000 barrels per year and store 250,000 barrels. Within the first two years, the distillery is expected to bring approximately 35 jobs to the region.
“The Western Kentucky Distilling Co. team has deep roots in Kentucky, and is committed to bringing quality bourbon and rye whiskey to Western Kentucky, a region with deep bourbon history but after Prohibition, less distilleries than other parts of the state,” a release reads. “In addition to being 100% Kentucky owned, key team members have long-standing family history in the state. Further, the team is proud to support the Kentucky economy by purchasing all cooking, fermenting, and distilling equipment in the state, including a Vendome 36” copper still, and is planning to use all locally grown Kentucky corn in products.”
The distillery will focus on contract distilling to start, with signature brands and a visitor’s center down the road.
