New $5M Distillery Coming to Western Kentucky Early 2025
Kentucky Governor, Andy Beshear helped break ground on Monday for a new $5 Million distillery coming to Western Kentucky.
Bourbon is Big Business for the Commonwealth
Bourbon is big business for the state of Kentucky, and a new distillery planned in Henderson will add to the already booming industry.
Bourbon is Booming at $9 Billion in Revenue for the State
Kentucky is known for its bourbon, with 95% of the world's bourbon coming from the Commonwealth. The Kentucky bourbon industry is booming, generating $9 billion in economic revenue for the state, and more than 23,000 jobs that pay out $1.63 billion in wages every year, according to the Kentucky Bourbon Trail website.
Kentucky Bourbon is a $9 billion economic and tourism powerhouse for the Commonwealth, now generating more jobs, more payroll, more tax revenue, more tourists and more distilleries in more Kentucky counties than ever before. Distilling generates more than 23,100 jobs in Kentucky with annual salaries and wages of $1.63 billion ($2.2 billion including benefits).
New Distillery Coming to Downtown Henderson, KY
We first reported on the new enterprise, Henderson Distilling Co., when the news broke in 2023. At that time we learned that the new facility would be built in downtown Henderson, on the former site of Henderson Municipal Power and Light located at 405 North Main Street.
Building a Retail Space & Visitor's Center Too
In addition to the distillery, the new facility will also include retail space, and a visitor's center. It will offer guests a beautiful view of the Ohio River with its 30-foot glass windows, and in addition to a newly built structure on the property, the distillery will also rehabilitate the current structure on the property, according to The Lane Report.
Founders Andrew and Meredith Powell will rehabilitate the former Henderson Municipal Power & Light campus in downtown Henderson as part of this project, revitalizing two longstanding facilities in the community. They also will construct a new building on the campus, with barrels stored in a renovated building on the property and a visitor center located in a 7,000-s.f. structure facing Main Street.
Rhythm River Distillery and Henderson Distilling Co.
We have also learned that the business will be operating under the name Rhythm River Distillery, as part of the Henderson Distilling Company, producing bourbon, rye, and other spirits. An official groundbreaking ceremony where Governor Beshear attended was held on Monday, September 30, 2024, the final day of Bourbon Heritage Month.
No better way to close #BourbonHeritageMonth than by breaking ground on the next generation of Kentucky spirits production. Congratulations, Henderson Distillery Company and Rhythm River Distillery!
Beyond the Bourbon
Beyond the addition of the new distillery, and the 12 full-time jobs it will bring to the city of Henderson, there is no doubt that this new venture will generate additional revenue for surrounding businesses and restaurants, as tourism is expected to increase with the addition of Rhythm River Distillery. The new distillery is expected to open its doors in early 2025.
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