The Bardstown Bourbon Company in Bardstown, Kentucky, has announced an innovative collaborative Whiskey, Bourbon, and Rye Wholesale Distilling Program. The new distillery now under construction and set to open September 2016 will offer wholesale customers the opportunity to create custom, authentic, Kentucky whiskey products and will also provide comprehensive barrel financing. The program promises to expand the explosive growth of the craft distilling industry by providing craft distillers and brand owners high quality whiskey to strengthen their supply.
Currently, many craft distillers and brand owners obtain their whiskey from large industrial distilleries, that are limited in their ability to produce custom products, have no financing options, and are often reluctant to promote the location and source of their whiskey.
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In an industry often laden with secrets and not always a clear path to a spirits source, the Bardstown Bourbon Company is trying to set a new standard of transparency in sourcing. In talking to David Mandell, President & CEO of The Bardstown Bourbon Company today, he said transparency is a part of their company’s culture. He believes in transparency for their customers, their wholesalers and the end consumers for their wholesalers. They plan on embracing their wholesale partners and if the partner chooses, they will proudly showcase those products at the Bardstown Bourbon Company distillery.
The Bardstown Bourbon Company production team is led by Bourbon Hall of Fame Master Distiller, Steve Nally – a 40-year veteran of the spirits industry and formerly the Master Distiller of Maker’s Mark. The team will provide craft distillers and brand owners the opportunity to:
- Work with a team of whiskey experts to create their own authentic and innovative Kentucky whiskey products
- Benefit from highly competitive wholesale prices
- Ensure consistent, high quality production that can rapidly scale
- Control the future source for their product
- Finance new fill barrel production and aging
- Provide a production location and environment that they can celebrate and promote
The Company, in collaboration with Live Oak Bank, the second largest SBA lender in the country, is offering customers comprehensive financing of the purchase price of newly filled barrels with terms of up to 10 years. This is an enormous benefit in an industry that is capital intensive and often without many good banking options.
“This program is a game changer,” said Daniel Linde, Chief Financial Officer of the Company. “As the first company to offer a comprehensive barrel financing program for whiskey, we are helping our customers continue to develop and grow their brands, without tying up all of their capital in production.”
As the domestic and international whiskey and bourbon market continues to expand, The Bardstown Bourbon Company will help its customers meet growing demand. The distillery has an initial 1.5 million proof-gallon capacity with barrel storage on its property for up to 185K barrels. The distillery is also designed to allow for it to double its production capacity.
“This is such an exciting time for bourbon,” explained Steve Nally, Master Distiller of The Bardstown Bourbon Company. “I look forward to working with other distillers and brand owners to make great products. We also look forward to integrating some of these brands into the Bardstown Bourbon Company’s visitor experience, and we will use our facility to highlight and promote their brands.”
Craft distillers that are interesting in learning more about the program can contact David directly at david@bardstownbourbon.com.
Bardstown Bourbon Company Under Construction
