$250 Million Whiskey Distillery to Open in Kentucky County That Has Been Dry Since Prohibition
Staghorn, a spirits company based out of Atlanta, Georgia, finished building a massive distillery in Garrard County, Kentucky, which was dry until November. (Photo: Staghorn)
On Wednesday, the Atlanta, Georgia-based distillery Staghorn announced the opening of Garrard County Distilling Co., which is now the largest independent distillery in Kentucky. Garrard County Distilling Co. can make 8.5 million proof gallons of whiskey a year and is the first commercial distillery in Garrard County, which has been dry since Prohibition’s arrival in 1919.
The project, which cost upwards of $250 million, is the county’s first distillery since the 1800s.
“Staghorn’s vision for Garrard County Distilling Co. is to craft the finest whiskeys and spirits in the world at scale to make an immediate impact in the market,” Staghorn founder and President Ray Franklin said in a news release. “To support this goal, we will be hiring nothing but the best in the business, respecting long-honored traditions and craftsmanship to assure our products are nothing short of remarkable.”
Located 30 minutes away from Lexington, Garrard County housed about 10 microdistilleries before the 1800s and was a railroad hub for hemp, whiskey and flour, according to the brand.
The brand intends to make bourbon using limestone water from the Lancaster Public Spring Aquifer and an in-house yeast strain.
Garrard County Distilling is a 50,000-square-foot property that sits on a 210-acre site. The property includes two 20,000-square-foot rickhouses, and the team behind Staghorn expressed additional plans to have built a total of 24 aging warehouses by 2030. The additional aging warehouses are each expected to hold a capacity of nearly 25,000 barrels. The distillery intends to unveil a visitor center, tasting room and restaurant by the end of 2024.
Garrard County Distilling says it has about 17,000 sourced whiskey barrels already aging in its stocks and is creating more than 60 jobs to stimulate the local economy.
According to Staghorn’s founder, Ray Franklin, it was “critically important” that the brand’s choice of location would “have a significant impact on the local economy.”
“Communities across Kentucky have benefited greatly from the recent bourbon boom and now I am pleased to say Garrard County will as well,” Garrard County Judge/Executive Chris Elleman said in a statement. “Working in close cooperation with Staghorn we will be bringing more than 60 jobs to the local economy, as well as increased commerce for vendors supporting the facility and tourism dollars. It is a great win for the County.”
The first whiskey brand using Garrard County Distilling as a production site will be All Nations Whiskey, which already has a retail presence in specialized markets across the U.S. According to Staghorn, All Nations has been awarded multiple double gold medals at the San Francisco Wine and Spirits Competition.
“Garrard County Distilling Co. is Staghorn’s first distillery and the dedication and size at which they are entering the category is a true testament to the worldwide appeal of bourbon from our great commonwealth,” Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear said. “Staghorn’s investment is a welcome addition to the Lancaster and Garrard County communities as well as to Kentucky tourism. I want to thank the company’s leadership for their vision to grow in the commonwealth, contributing to Kentucky’s position as the bourbon capital of the world.”
Follow The Daily Pour:
About The Daily Pour
Founded by Dan Abrams, The Daily Pour is the ultimate drinking guide for the modern consumer, covering spirits, non-alcoholic and hemp beverages. With its unique combination of cross-category coverage and signature rating system that aggregates reviews from trusted critics across the internet, The Daily Pour sets the standard as the leading authority in helping consumers discover, compare and enjoy the best of today's evolving drinks landscape.
