Bluegrass Distillers Announces Major Expansion in Midway, KY
LEXINGTON, Kentucky – Bluegrass Distillers, a craft distillery in Lexington, has announced the purchase of Elkwood Farm in Midway, KY. The Elkwood, listed on the National Historic Register, was built in 1835. The property is located at 158 Leestown Rd., Midway, KY, off the Midway exit of US Highway 64. The new location will include an expanded distillery, barrel warehouses, tasting room, visitor center, and event space. The distillery is owned by Sam Rock and Ben Franzini of Lexington.
The development plan includes a tasting room in the historic Elkwood Mansion. The production facilities are designed to facilitate contract distilling and a bottling operation. The company’s production capacity will increase from a little less than 1 barrel a day to approximately 20 barrels per 8 hour shift. The grounds will also have space for barrel storage.
The project will highlight grain to glass bourbon production. The company will grow approximately 40-45 acres of blue and yellow corn on the property.
According to Woodford County native Sam Rock, “We are thrilled to be moving our operations to Elkwood Farm in Midway, KY. We have been looking in Midway for over 3 years, and at this particular location for most of that time. So it was the date we always wanted. The layout of the farm and the history of the structures make for a perfect venue to demonstrate grain to glass bourbon production. We can now grow blue corn on our own land, and will have spent grains for local farmers.”
Following construction and renovations, distilling operations will begin and the grounds will open for visitor tours as well as family-friendly, community events and concerts in the summer of 2022.
Franzini added, “Midway has a rich distilling tradition and the town has been extremely gracious and welcoming. The Midway Mayor and Economic Development Authority have been with us every step of the way and we could not have pulled it together without their help. We could not ask for a better location or town to build our future.”
Bluegrass Distillers started from scratch mashing each ounce of grain by hand, and opened its doors on West 6th Street in Lexington, KY in 2013 at its current distillery in the Bread Box building. The Distillery is community-focused, and gives back through their Philanthropy Barrel Program. In 2020, the company raised and donated over $45,000 to local nonprofits through the Philanthropy Barrel Program. View the news article here.
