LOUISVILLE, Ky., Sept. 15, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- At a
ribbon-cutting ceremony this morning to celebrate the opening of
the Bulleit Frontier Whiskey Experience at Stitzel-Weller, Diageo
shared plans for additional renovations to the historic
Louisville distillery, and the
Kentucky Distillers' Association announced that Stitzel-Weller will
be the newest stop on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail® tour.
This next phase of refurbishing the facility will include
construction of a new bottling line, an on-site finishing center
and a small batch craft still for the Visitor Center focused on
innovation. This brings Diageo's total investments in
Stitzel-Weller announced in 2014 to more than ten million dollars.
"Stitzel-Weller is widely recognized as an iconic part of
bourbon's past, and the Bulleit Frontier Whiskey Experience we are
opening today celebrates that history," said Larry Schwartz, President, Diageo North America.
"Now, with these new investments and our innovation plans,
Stitzel-Weller and Diageo will help shape the future of American
Whiskey in Louisville, and in the
state of Kentucky."
The Bulleit Frontier Whiskey Experience will be officially open
to the public beginning tomorrow. Visitors will be able to
see firsthand Bulleit founder Tom
Bulleit's working office and take a trip into the past of
one of America's most historic facilities. Guests will tour
the warehouse where the rickhousing system was invented in 1879,
the cooperage which remains unchanged since opening in 1935, and
the historic foyer, inspired by Monticello. Beginning in
early December, the tour will also include a look at a new
finishing center, where visitors will be able to add customized
engravings, etchings and hand-selected graphics to products
available for purchase at the site.
"Bourbon remains a marquee industry in Kentucky, one clearly enjoyed all around the
globe," said Governor Steve
Beshear. "The opening of the Bulleit Frontier Whiskey
Experience will only enhance the world's love of our native spirit
and bring more Bourbon enthusiasts to the Commonwealth. I want to
thank Diageo for its continued investment in our state and
celebrate the newest stop on our famed Kentucky Bourbon Trail®
tour."
"Stitzel-Weller is sacred ground in our city, the home of iconic
bourbon brands and now the home of the Bulleit Frontier Whiskey
Experience," said Louisville Mayor
Greg Fischer. "The beautiful setting
and the historic preservation of the property will make the
distillery a must-see stop on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail®
journey."
While Stitzel-Weller will remain home to the Bulleit Bourbon
brand, the new small batch craft still for the Visitor Center will
also nurture inspired experimentation and education. Fueled
by innovation, it will embody the entrepreneurial spirit that has
long lived within the walls of the historic site. The
facility will include an industry archive and serve as a resource
for members of the trade, whiskey industry and other interested
parties who are of legal drinking age.
"As a Kentuckian and a son of the Bourbon industry, watching
this national treasure come back to life has been an incredible
experience," said Bulleit Bourbon founder, Tom Bulleit. "Having Stitzel-Weller be the home
of the Bulleit Frontier Whiskey Experience and a stop on the
Kentucky Bourbon Trail® gives me a tremendous amount of pride and a
feeling of excitement for what the future holds."
In addition to distilling, the company will bring bottling
capabilities back to Stitzel-Weller. A new bottling line is
currently under construction and slated to start up in late
2014. Plans call for the new line to bottle a range of
American whiskeys and bourbons.
"Stitzel-Weller is hallowed ground for Bourbon aficionados and
one of the true cathedrals of American whiskey," said Eric Gregory, President of the Kentucky
Distillers' Association. "It has been home to many of the
industry's iconic brands, innovators and true characters.
We're honored that Diageo and the Bulleit Frontier Whiskey
Experience is the newest member of our Kentucky Bourbon Trail®
family, and we applaud their investment that will attract thousands
of visitors and pour much-needed revenue into the local community
and our great Commonwealth."
During the announcement, Gregory presented Schwartz with a
copper plaque to commemorate their Kentucky Bourbon Trail®
membership. Schwartz and Mayor Fischer also stamped the first
Kentucky Bourbon Trail® Passports featuring the new attraction.
"We're glad to be able to contribute to Kentucky's hospitality and tourism industries,
especially now that the KDA have added the Bulleit Frontier Whiskey
Experience to the Kentucky Bourbon Trail® tour," added
Schwartz.
This latest investment comes on the heels of Diageo's ground
breaking last month at the new Shelby
County, Kentucky Bulleit Distilling Co. facility. The
1.8 million proof gallon (750,000 9-liter cases) distillery will
distill Bulleit Bourbon, as well as a number of current and future
Diageo bourbon and North American Whiskey brands.
Construction plans are on track and Diageo aims to have the
distillery operational in late 2016.
The Stitzel-Weller Distillery in Shively opened on Derby Day in
1935. For four decades, it thrived and was known for making
the finest bourbons in the world. On June 30th, 1972, the company was
sold. After a series of name and ownership changes,
Stitzel-Weller is now owned by Diageo. The Bulleit Frontier
Whiskey Experience at Stitzel-Weller will be open to the public
Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. -3
p.m., with the last tour beginning at 2 p.m.
Admission, which includes a tasting, costs $10 for adults of legal drinking age.
About Diageo
Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an
outstanding collection of brands across spirits, beer and wine
categories. These brands include Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, JεB, Buchanan's,
Windsor and Bushmills whiskies,
Smirnoff, Ciroc and Ketel One vodkas, Captain Morgan, Baileys,
Don Julio, Tanqueray and
Guinness.
Diageo is a global company, and our products are sold in more
than 180 countries around the world. The company is listed on
both the London Stock Exchange (DGE) and the New York Stock
Exchange (DEO). For more information about Diageo, our
people, our brands, and performance, visit us at
www.diageo.com. Visit Diageo's global responsible drinking
resource, www.DRINKiQ.com, for information, initiatives, and ways
to share best practice.
Celebrating life, every day, everywhere.
Press Contacts:
Mike
DaRe, Diageo
Mike.dare@diageo.com
Alix Dunn, Diageo
alix.dunn@diageo.com
Kristen Crofoot, for Diageo
Kristen.crofoot@diageo.com
SOURCE Diageo