Blue Run Spirits Announces Plans for a Revolutionary 35,000-Square-Foot Distillery in Georgetown, Kentucky
Blue Run Spirits has announced plans to construct a 35,000-square-foot distillery in Georgetown, Kentucky that is expected to have a significant impact on the bourbon industry. The distillery, which will be located at the Lanes Run Business Park, will include a 20,000-square-foot rick house and is projected to generate at least 45 full-time jobs.
The company has already made a name for itself with its distinctive metallic butterfly design featured on its bourbon bottles. CEO and co-founder Mike Montgomery has stated that Blue Run Spirits intends to modernize the look, feel, and taste of bourbon. The company has released 13 bourbon and rye whiskey offerings since its launch in 2020 and has become a sought-after spirit.
The upcoming distillery's design, dubbed "Meander," was created by prominent architecture firm Bjarke Ingels Group and is meant to evoke the journey of limestone-rich water as it transforms into bourbon and rye whiskey. The design is intended to create a single linear sequence from distilling to bottling, with the half-mile-long process winding through gentle hillsides.
The decision to construct its own distillery marks a significant milestone for Blue Run Spirits, which has collaborated with other distilleries in the area since its inception. Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the company sold 21,000 nine-liter cases in 2022, a 300% increase from the previous year.
Montgomery's vision for the Kentucky Bourbon Trail is to create as many touchpoints as possible, connecting distilleries to one another in a natural way. By doing so, he hopes to inspire other young companies to become part of the bourbon-making tradition in Kentucky. Montgomery and his team are also working on creating a balance between old favorites and bourbon education, as well as interactive opportunities for guests at the new distillery.
Although specific details about the distillery experiences have yet to be revealed, Montgomery indicates that his team is working to strike a balance between traditional offerings and bourbon education, as well as interactive opportunities for visitors. Blue Run Spirits aims to create opportunities that will attract tourists to the state and encourage them to return.
Blue Run Spirits' rapid success in a crowded market reflects its ability to capture the attention of bourbon drinkers. The company is anticipated to sell 50,000 cases and generate $15 million in sales this year. The Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority has approved $850,000 in tax incentives for the $51 million project, further cementing Blue Run Spirits' role in the bourbon industry.
Blue Run Spirits is well on their way to becoming a true Kentucky bourbon icon.
A WHISKEY METAMORPHOSIS
Blue Run Spirits signature butterfly medallion symbolizes the metamorphosis of the world of whiskies as they introduce their bourbons and ryes to a broader, more diverse generation of spirits enthusiasts.