Things are really hopping at Rabbit Hole Distilling. Earlier this month they broke ground on their brand new $12.5 million distillery and now, they just released their first three matured whiskies. Are they a startup? Yes. Have they been at this for a while now? You bet.
Their inaugural release includes a signature Four Grain Kentucky Straight Bourbon, a Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey and a Straight Bourbon Finished in PX Sherry Casks.
CEO and Founder Kaveh Zamanian, along with his wife Heather Bass, began Rabbit Hole in 2012 to pursue his vision to craft unique spirits, with a focus on Bourbon, America’s native spirit. “For us, Bourbon is more than just a drink. It is a symbol of individualism, self-sufficiency and living life to the fullest. I started Rabbit Hole with a singular mission to make exceptional spirits.”
The Four Grain Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey uses a 70% corn, 10% wheat, 10% honey malt and 10% malted barley mash bill. Its aged two years in Kelvin Cooperage barrels with a #3 char. The Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey is a 95% rye and 5% malted barley mash bill. It’s also aged two years in a #3 charred barrel. The Straight Bourbon Finished in PX Sherry Casks is a five year old straight bourbon whiskey that is matured for an additional three to six month in 30 year old Pedro Ximenz Sherry casks. If you look close at the label on this one you’ll see a finger print in the bottom right corner indicating that Rabbit Hole put the finishing touches on this whiskey. Their plan is to continue to use this “finger print” for any product they have a hand in finishing.
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Distillery Opening Fall 2017
There is no right or wrong way to design a new distillery; it really comes down to a brands style. Many new distilleries are built out in the country with an old-time feel to pick up on the history of distilling while others go more metro. Rabbit Hole is part of the latter using what Zamanian calls “the Southern vibrancy of downtown.” Rabbit Hole is building a modern distillery near Whiskey Row in downtown Louisville, Kentucky. This is no small project; the distillery will be producing 20,000 barrels a year. The distillery will include multiple tasting rooms, a restaurant, gift shop, as well as a 160+ person event space.
Rabbit Hole Distilling chose award-winning architect Doug Pierson of Pod Architecture & Design, well known for designing Louisville’s Green Building. Pierson conceived this project as a way to two neighborhood streets by way of a public walkway and civic gathering space.
Architectural Renderings by Pod Architecture & Design
Click on any image to enlarge.
The distillery operation will be overseen by Master Distiller Cameron Talley, a veteran of Wild Turkey and Brown Forman. Other collaborators in the project include Larry Ebersold, former master distiller at Seagram’s and Pernod-Ricard, Dave Scheurich formerly at Brown-Forman, and Randy Allender from Jim Beam.
Distribution in Kentucky is through Republic National Distributing Company while Illinois distribution is being operated by Heritage Wine Cellars.
Four Grain Kentucky Straight Bourbon, Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey and a Straight Bourbon Finished in PX Sherry Casks
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