Kentucky is currently seeing a huge economic boom from whiskey and that is causing some movement in the current landscape of whiskey distillers. Case in point, the Bardstown Bourbon Company just announced that Western Spirits Beverage Company is the first to join BBCo’s Collaborative Distilling Program, with their first distillation beginning right away.

From a recent press release:

“Currently, many craft distillers and brand owners obtain their whiskey from large industrial distilleries, are limited in their ability to produce custom products, have no financing options, and are reluctant to promote the location and source of their whiskey. The Bardstown Bourbon Company will provide craft distillers and brand owners the opportunity to:

• Work with a team of whiskey experts to create their own authentic and innovative Kentucky whiskey products;
• Benefit from highly competitive wholesale prices;
• Ensure consistent, high quality production that can rapidly scale;
• Control the future source for their product;
• Finance new fill barrel production and aging, and
• Provide a production location and environment that they can celebrate and promote.”

Specifically to this partnership, Western Spirits will work with BBCo to produce custom whiskey for its brand portfolio, giving Western Spirits the opportunity to work with Bourbon Hall of Fame Master Distiller Steve Nally and The Bardstown Bourbon Company’s first-class distilling team to produce their high-quality bourbon for many years to come.

“We are so excited about the opportunity to partner with the great team at The Bardstown Bourbon Company,” Tim Livesay, President of Western Spirits, said.  “With their vision for a Napa Valley type experience, a state-of-the-art whiskey distillery and Steve Nally’s hall-of-fame bourbon making experience, we are enthusiastic about making The Bardstown Bourbon Company the home of Western Spirits’ bourbon portfolio.”

That enthusiasm for this partnership is mutual:

“Western Spirits has an exciting and growing portfolio of brands,“ said David Mandell, CEO of Bardstown Bourbon Company. “We are eager to begin producing fantastic bourbon for Western Spirits Beverage Company.”

In addition to this ground-breaking partnership, the Bardstown Bourbon Company also recently broke ground on a new distillery expansion project that doubles its current 1.5 million proof gallon capacity. This 3 million gallon capacity will enable them to provide more capacity for current customers, as well as take on new customers in Q3 2017.

The potential for further expansion to 6 million gallons is also there, if BBCo chooses to add additional equipment. Not only is this good news for whiskey drinkers who are looking for increased availability of product, it’s also good news for those who enjoy seeing how their favorite bourbon is made. The BBCo plans to open its visitor and events center to the public by summer of 2017. It will contain one of the largest collections of whiskey in the state of Kentucky, a transparent educational experience with high-end tours and tastings, and an event space. Eventually a restaurant and boutique hotel will also be added for a full bourbon tourism experience.