Barrell Craft Spirits (BCS), Louisville, Ky., unveiled its new state of the art blending facility in Jeffersontown, Ky., during a private ribbon cutting ceremony. The event was hosted by Bourbon Authority Susan Reigler and featured speakers Mayor Craig Greenberg of Louisville and Mayor Carol Pike of Jeffersontown.
Ten years ago, BCS set out to source exceptional bourbon casks from established producers and to blend and bottle them at cask strength. The goal was to elevate barrels of whiskey into something greater than the sum of their parts, it says. In 10 years, Founder Joe Beatrice has built BCS into a national brand sold in 49 U.S. states. Today, Beatrice remains intimately involved with every step of the production process at BCS, alongside the BCS blending team.
BCS is celebrating a new blending facility that can support its rapid growth. The 31,000-square-foot facility was designed specifically to support how BCS operates as a company under one roof in the most efficient manner possible. Large office spaces encourage a free-flowing discussion of creative ideas around innovative product development, the company notes. The new blending operation features eight blending tanks with 64,000 gallons of capacity, allowing BCS to increase its blending capacity by more than 500%. New bottling lines are capable of a 1 million case annual throughput on a single shift, ready to package innovative releases. The facility will support the growth of current brands and new product launches. BCS also recently acquired an historic 18,000-barrel rickhouse ― strategically located just minutes away from the new blending facility ― which features 42 ricks and five levels and offers a multitude of locations throughout to provide unique character to each cask, the company says.
“We’re thrilled to unveil our new state of the art blending facility and to continue our 10-year legacy of developing sought-after award-winning blends that push the boundaries of American whiskey,” Beatrice said in a statement.
Mayor Greenberg added: “I am proud to celebrate the expansion and 10th anniversary of Barrell Craft Spirits, a local blender of unique, aged whiskey and rum. They have recently invested $15 million back into Louisville’s economy and are creating new high-wage jobs for our residents. Congratulations on your success and continued growth.”
In honor of the company’s 10th Anniversary, attendees were treated to a limited-release, Anniversary Bourbon, which was available online before quickly selling out.
