Heaven’s Door Whiskey co-founder Bob Dylan is set to open a distillery in Pleasureville, Kentucky this September. The property has been under development since 2017 and sits on a 160-acre plot located along Six Mile Creek.
“This is a momentous occasion for Heaven’s Door,” said Marc Bushala, co-founder and CEO of Heaven’s Door Spirits. “We selected this location for its remarkable natural beauty and unique ecosystem that has enabled us to make exceptional Bourbon and create an unrivaled visitor experience.
“We are committed to the art of craft whiskey and honor the legacy of the many pioneers who have helped make Kentucky Bourbon what it is today. We are thrilled to have Heaven’s Door be part of this storied tradition.”
Former Barton 1792 master distiller Ken Pierce joined Heaven’s Door as master distiller in 2018 and led the project from design through to distillation. “The Heaven’s Door Distillery has been an incredible project, from inception to production of our first barrels,” said Pierce. “For me, this is a living legacy of my 40 years in the industry and my passion for making great whiskey.”
The Heaven’s Door Distillery will feature two separate still houses, a visitor center with tasting rooms and lounges overlooking the valley and Six Mile Creek, an 18th-century grist mill, two 18th-century cabins, and a Moravian barn.
The new site will utilize two underground aquifers to access limestone water for its distilling, as well as geothermal heating and cooling of the buildings. It will also cultivate its own heirloom grains and recycle protein-rich mash from the fermentation process as feed for cattle on surrounding farms. The project is expected to help drive economic growth and opportunities in the county by creating more than 50 jobs and bringing tourism to the area. The distillery also plans to work with local farmers to source ingredients for its spirits, further strengthening its ties to the community.
Heaven’s Door Distillery plans to open its doors to the public in September 2023.
Additionally, Heaven’s Door is set to open a brand experience in Downtown Louisville, Kentucky. Located inside a former church, the brand experience has a live music venue, a private event space, and a restaurant and bar featuring one of the largest selections of American whiskey in the country.
The Heaven’s Door brand center also includes plans to construct a 15,000-square-foot immersive art experience adjacent to the church that will feature a collection of Dylan’s paintings and metalworks, as well as curated exhibitions of other artists.
“With our distillery opening in Pleasureville, having our brand experience in Louisville made more sense,” said Bushala. “We will use the Nashville property as the seat of The Heaven’s Door Foundation, the company’s philanthropic arm, which supports charities for the arts.”
For more information on the Bob Dylan whiskey distillery, head over to the brand’s official website.
In February, the Bob Dylan whiskey portfolio expanded into the wheated bourbon world with the releases of Heaven’s Door Bootleg Series Volume IV.