Heaven’s Door Spirits, Bob Dylan’s whiskey brand, recently announced plans to open a new distillery in Pleasureville, Kentucky.
The new facility will be located on 160 acres of rolling hills along Six Mile Creek, property that was once owned by Squire Boone, the brother of frontiersman Daniel Boone. A statement from Heaven’s Door said that this project has been under development since 2017.
The Heaven’s Door Distillery features two separate stillhouses, each in its own horse barn, a visitor’s center with tasting rooms and lounges overlooking the valley and Six Mile Creek, an 18th-century grist mill, two 18-century cabins and a Moravian barn. All of which have been completely restored.
Heaven’s Door Distillery plans to open its doors to the public in September of this year.
“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.”
John Logan Brent, executive judge for Henry County, said there was no better place for the Heaven’s Door Distillery than Pleasureville, Kentucky. “The entire project was thoughtfully designed, respecting the terrain and supporting the local community. It has been a pleasure to watch this vision unfold over the past five years.”
The statement from Heaven’s Door noted that whiskey industry veteran Ken Pierce was brought on as master distiller to lead the project from design through distillation. Pierce began his career with Barton Brands Distillery, initially working as senior chemist to director of distillation and eventually becoming master distiller. He was instrumental in the development of 1792 Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey and its limited release expressions.
Pierce said he was honored to be chosen as master distiller for the Pleasureville project. “The Heaven’s Door Distillery has been an incredible project, from inception to production of our first barrels. For me, this is a living legacy of my 40 years in the industry and my passion for making great whiskey.”
Trending Stories
Heaven’s Door will take part in sustainable distilling, using two underground aquifers to access pure limestone water for its distilling as well as geothermal heating and cooling of the buildings. The distillery cultivates its own heirloom grains and recycles protein-rich mash from the fermentation process as feed for cattle on surrounding farms.
The project will help the local economic environment as well 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.
In addition to its Pleasureville distillery, Heaven’s Door announced it will open a unique brand experience in a former church in Downtown Louisville. The brand experience will house a small live music venue, a private event space and a restaurant and bar featuring a large selection of American whiskey.
The Heaven’s Door brand center includes plans to build a new, 15,000-square-foot immersive art experience adjacent to the church which will feature a collection of Bob Dylan’s paintings and metalworks, as well as curated exhibitions of other artists.
The whiskey brand previously announced that it intended to open a showcase distillery and brand center in a 160-year-old church in Nashville, Tennessee, which it acquired in 2016.
“With our distillery opening in Pleasureville, having our brand experience in Louisville made more sense,” Bushala said. “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, check out www.heavensdoor.com.
Latest News