Jim Beam Opens Its 112th Kentucky Rackhouse For Whiskey Aging

I suppose one can never have enough whiskey aging warehouses in Kentucky it seems like. Beam, among others, seems to be embracing that notion full on as it looks to meet an ever increasing demand for whiskey out of this bourbon producing region. To this end it has just opened its 112th barrel rackhouse there, said to be the largest of its facilities to date.

The new Beam rackhouse, according to Beam Suntory officials, spans more than 275,000 square feet and is seven stories tall. It is the largest of its kind for Beam in Kentucky, and the first opened by them since 1968. Located in Frankfort, Kentucky, it has room for more than 59,000 barrels at full capacity, 17% more than its next-largest warehouse, and is apparently also the largest rackhouse that can currently be built under current Kentucky state law.

It was not mentioned what brands of Beam whiskey, with include Jim Beam, Maker’s Mark and Knob Creek, will be aged there. The warehouse is also part of a planned more than $1 billion investment which will be made by Beam to to make bourbon in Kentucky over the next five years, including grains, barrels, payroll and capital expenditures.

“The need for this incredible new Rackhouse really underscores the global thirst for bourbon,” said David Hunter, chief supply chain officer, Beam Suntory, in a prepared statement. “I’m so proud of the team here in Frankfort, and all of our operations in Kentucky, who have been working so hard to keep up with the pace of demand for bourbon around the world.”

“This is a big moment for our entire campus here at Frankfort,” added Alan Mitchell, general manager, Frankfort. “Not only will this new facility give us ample space for aging our incredible products, but its close proximity to the bottling lines will make transfer efficient.”