Bardstown Bourbon Company joins distillers’ association

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) – A non-profit trade group that leads Kentucky’s bourbon and distilled spirits industry is expanding.

The Kentucky Distillers’ Association said Monday that the Bardstown Bourbon Company is its newest member.

The start-up distillery in the heart of the state’s bourbon sector started producing whiskey earlier this month. The $25 million facility is set on more than 100 acres adjacent to the Bluegrass Parkway at Bardstown.

KDA says the Bardstown Bourbon Company will be home to tours and tastings, a visitors’ center, an event space and eventually a restaurant and boutique hotel. KDA says the distillery plans to open its visitors experience, cafe, whiskey library, event center and retail store next spring.

KDA’s Kentucky Bourbon Trail and Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour set attendance records last year with nearly 900,000 guests.

Copyright 2016 The Associated Press.