Heaven Hill Springs Distillery cements the legacy of Heaven Hill
Bardstown, Ky. (April 7, 2025) – Heaven Hill celebrated a landmark moment today by filling the first barrel at its new Heaven Hill Springs Distillery in Bardstown, Kentucky. This milestone marks the return of distilling to the Bourbon Capital of the World after a 1996 fire destroyed the original facility. With a $200 million investment, the new distillery reinforces Heaven Hill’s position as the largest independent Bourbon producer globally, just ahead of its 90th anniversary on December 13, 2025. Learn more at www.heavenhilldistillery.com.
A New Era for Heaven Hill in Bardstown
“This first barrel is a homecoming and a bold step forward,” said Allan Latts, co-president of Heaven Hill Brands. “The Heaven Hill Springs Distillery honors our Bardstown roots while building a sustainable future for American Whiskey over the next 90 years.”
The state-of-the-art facility will produce 150,000 barrels annually, scalable to 450,000, complementing the historic Bernheim Distillery in Louisville. Together, these sites—Bernheim being the largest single-site Bourbon distillery in the U.S.—ensure Heaven Hill’s leadership in crafting award-winning whiskeys like Elijah Craig, Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond, and the Heaven Hill Heritage Collection.
Sustainability and Innovation at the Core
Designed with sustainability in mind, Heaven Hill Springs features efficient production systems, wastewater pretreatment, stormwater management, and onsite energy recovery. These efforts, led by Sustainability Officer of the Year Rachel Nally (2025 Global Icons of Whisky Awards), highlight Heaven Hill’s commitment to preserving Bourbon’s natural resources.
A Full-Circle Moment with Charlie Downs
Master Distiller Emeritus Charlie Downs, who worked at all four Heaven Hill distilleries over four decades, returned as honorary master distiller for the barrel filling. “This moment ties our 90-year heritage to our future,” said Master Distiller Conor O’Driscoll, 2025 Icons of Whisky America Master Distiller of the Year. “Charlie’s presence bridges our past and the craftsmanship of the Springs team.”
The return to Bardstown is a legacy investment, strengthening Heaven Hill’s role in American Whiskey production and innovation for decades to come.
About Heaven Hill Distillery
Founded in 1935 by the Shapira family, Heaven Hill remains a fiercely independent leader in American Whiskey. With over 2 million barrels aging across nearly 70 warehouses, its portfolio includes Evan Williams Bourbon, Larceny Bourbon, Pikesville Rye, and more. Named 2024 Whisky Magazine Distillery of the Year, Heaven Hill continues to earn global accolades. Visit www.heavenhilldistillery.com for more.
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