Heaven Hill Bourbon Experience opened its new center in Bardstown, Kentucky. The project is expected to create 13 new jobs.

The facility represents a $19 million investment in Kentucky’s signature bourbon and tourism industries. At the 2018 groundbreaking, Heaven Hill announced a new multi-year $125 million investment plan to expand production capacity in Bardstown. The company invested $19 million in the new Heaven Hill Bourbon Experience in addition to a $106 million investment in new barrel warehousing, bottling line and equipment upgrades and increased holdings of aging bourbon whiskey.

“The Heaven Hill Bourbon Experience is a leading showcase of bourbon tourism grounded in educational, interactive exhibits honoring the legacy of my father and his four brothers, the iconic brands in our award-winning portfolio, and the craftsmen across our commonwealth who make Kentucky bourbon possible,” said Heaven Hill Brands President Max L. Shapira, president of Heaven Hill. “We are extremely pleased to be welcoming fans and visitors back to Bourbon Country to see, taste and learn about America’s Native Spirit in a new way.”

Heaven Hill first unveiled the renovation phase of the new Experience in November 2019 featuring three iconic tasting rooms that overlook the spectacular views of Bourbon Country. Guests can also join a bourbon host for a 270-degree video about how barrels are made and their importance to the bourbon production process.

“I am proud to be in the heart of bourbon country to proclaim today National Kentucky Bourbon Day and I am thrilled to be here to congratulate the Shapira family and the Heaven Hill team on another successful project investing millions in Kentucky and our people,” Governor Andy Beshear said at the grand opening. “As we emerge from this pandemic with our economy booming, we are announcing more jobs and investment in the commonwealth every week, and the bourbon industry is no exception. This state-of-the-art visitor center will give people one more great reason to visit Kentucky and experience the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, creating even more jobs and opportunity.”

The former Bourbon Heritage Center in Bardstown welcomed 60,000 visitors annually, consistently ranked as a top tour destination in Kentucky. The company also operates the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience in Louisville, which welcomes nearly 100,000 visitors per year.