Midway, KY — June 12, 2025 — Today, Bluegrass Distillers officially opened its new home at Elkwood Farm, a 62-acre property in Midway, Kentucky, with a ribbon cutting ceremony attended by community members, state leaders, and industry partners.
The event featured remarks from Lieutenant Governor Jacqueline Coleman, Midway Mayor Grayson Vandegrift, Kentucky Distillers’ Association President Eric Gregory, and Bluegrass Distillers’ co-founders Ben Franzini and Sam Rock. Celebratory toast, ceremonial barrel fill, lite bites, and facility tours highlighted the event.
The opening marks a major milestone for Bluegrass Distillers, which was founded in 2012 and has built a reputation for its award-winning small-batch and single-barrel bourbons. At its new Elkwood Farm location, Bluegrass Distillers has significantly expanded production capacity over 1,000%. This dramatic increase sets the stage for substantial future growth while remaining dedicated to authentic Kentucky craft bourbon traditions.
Owned by Sam Rock and Ben Franzini, of Lexington, the new $8 million distillery includes six 18,000-gallon fermentation tanks feeding a towering 36” x 45-foot column still manufactured by Specific Mechanical. The facility sits just across from the Elkwood Farm mansion, a historic residence placed on the National Historic Register in 1994. The new campus also includes a barrel warehouse, a fully automated bottling line, and an on-site well that provides limestone spring water used in the distillation process. In keeping with their commitment to craftsmanship and sustainability, Bluegrass also grows their own corn right on the property.
As part of its ground-to-glass mission, the distillery sources local ingredients—including non-GMO, heirloom blue corn grown on-site—to create bourbon that reflects the heritage and flavor of the Bluegrass region. Elkwood Farm also represents a meaningful investment in the local economy: Bluegrass Distillers has already created 15 new jobs, with plans to add 10 more in the next two years.
“The past four years have been an incredible journey bringing Elkwood Farm Distillery to life. While we’ve already begun distilling and welcoming visitors, this ribbon cutting marks a monumental moment for our team—and we couldn’t be more proud to share it with our community.” said Sam Rock, Co-Owner and Co-Founder of Bluegrass Distillers.
Bluegrass Distillers has long been part of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail®, but as of last month, the new Elkwood Farm location is now an official stop on the trail, further enhancing the region’s tourism landscape. Over 40,000 visitors are expected to visit Bluegrass Distillers in the coming year to enjoy guided tours, tastings, and a full-service bourbon bar. The company envisions Elkwood Farm evolving into a key destination for bourbon tourists and the local community. The next phase of development will introduce food-centered experiences to enhance the visitor experience. More than a distillery, the new facility is designed to be a place for connection, exploration, and lasting appreciation of Kentucky’s heritage.
