The Western Kentucky Distilling Co. has announced the grand opening of its new US$30 million distillery, located in Beaver Dam, Kentucky.

While not yet open for visitors, the distillery has opened its doors and begun production on bourbon and rye whiskey. It marks the first official distillery in Ohio County since Prohibition.

It opens under the leadership of eighth-generation distiller Jacob Call, who will serve as COO and master distiller alongside Kentucky native and president of the distillery JD Edwards.

The distillery is located at 1880 Old Liberty Church Road in Beaver Dam, in the Bluegrass Crossing Business Center on land which was once a farm. The distillery measures at 25,000 square feet across 80 acres, with 15 warehouses adding an additional 300,000 square feet.

The size of the new distillery means it will have the capacity to distil more than 50,000 barrels per year, and store 250,000 barrels. The opening will also create many jobs in the region when production continues to ramp up, with 25 jobs already brought to the region.

Commenting on the opening, Call said: “It’s a proud moment for our team at Western Kentucky Distilling Co. as we open the doors and start making Kentucky bourbon and rye whiskey within our walls. Kentucky whiskey has a rich history in our state, and it’s an honor for our distillery to become part of that legacy. As the first official distillery in Ohio County since Prohibition, we’re excited to be part of the community and also bring jobs to the region.”

The Western Kentucky Distilling Co. is committed to bringing bourbon and rye whiskey to Western Kentucky and is 100 per cent Kentucky owned. Key team members across the distillery have long-standing family history in the state, with equipment used in the production process also purchased within Kentucky.