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Area Development - Site Selection, Facility Planning and Workforce Development

Log Still Distillery Establishes Nelson County, Kentucky, Operations Complex

09/16/2022
Log Still Distillery has officially opened its operations in Nelson County, Kentucky. The $60 million project is expected to create 146 jobs.

The distillery produces a range of spirits, including Monk’s Road Dry Gin, Monk’s Road Barrel Finished Gin and Monk’s Road Fifth District Series Bourbon: Cold Spring Distillery, the first in a rotating series of bourbons named for historic pre-Prohibition distilleries in the region, in addition to its latest release, the Rattle & Snap brands.

“We are pleased with the reception by Kentuckians and visitors alike to the experiences we have created here in Gethsemane,” said Log Still President J.W. “Wally” Dant III. “Thanks very much to the Governor and his administration for supporting our campus-wide efforts and for championing the Kentucky bourbon industry like no other previous administration.”

In early 2021 Log Still announced a $24 million Phase 2 investment to establish Dant Crossing, a 300-plus-acre campus that is home to the distillery and several amenities. The commitment followed a Phase 1 investment of $12 million in 2019 to establish the operation at the historic site.

“I’m very happy to have the opportunity to once again join leaders at Log Still Distillery as we celebrate the next major step forward for this quickly growing operation,” noted Governor Andy Beshear. “Our bourbon industry is growing at an incredible rate, and companies like Log Still are helping to drive that growth. This is a tremendous project for Nelson County and the surrounding region, and I look forward to watching the company grow in our state.”

Upon the recommendation of the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet, Log Still Distillery received approval from the Kentucky Tourism Development Finance Authority for incentives through the Tourism Development Act. Eligible businesses receive an annual reimbursement for taxes paid on qualifying tourism development projects admission tickets, food and gift sales and lodging costs. Log Still Distillery will receive a tax incentive totaling $6 million for its Phase 2 tourism expansion.

“Bourbon is a signature industry in the commonwealth and plays an important role in job creation, economic growth and promoting travel,” said Kentucky Tourism, Arts & Heritage Secretary Mike Berr. “Log Still Distillery will offer visitors the unique opportunity to learn about bourbon's rich history while providing unforgettable experiences.”

To encourage the investment and job growth in the community, the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority (KEDFA) in May 2019 preliminarily approved a 10-year incentive agreement with the company under the Kentucky Business Investment program. The performance-based agreement can provide up to $500,000 in tax incentives based on the company’s Phase 1 investment of $12 million and annual targets of creation and maintenance of 20 Kentucky-resident, full-time jobs across 10 years; and paying an average hourly wage of $26 including benefits across those jobs.

KEDFA in May 2019 approved Log Still for up to $100,000 in tax incentives through the Kentucky Enterprise Initiative Act (KEIA) based on the company’s Phase 1 investment of $12 million. Then in March 2021, KEDFA approved the company for up to $500,000 in tax incentives through KEIA based on the company’s Phase 2 investment of $24 million. KEIA allows approved companies to recoup Kentucky sales and use tax on construction costs, building fixtures, equipment used in research and development and electronic processing.

“The opening of Log Still Distillery continues the economic momentum that the Dant family has started in Nelson County,” added Kim Huston, president of the Nelson County Economic Development Agency. “The distillery will be the heartbeat of their ever-expanding bourbon tourism destination and I look forward to celebrating with them for years to come.”

In addition, the company can receive resources from Kentucky’s workforce service providers. Those include no-cost recruitment and job placement services, reduced-cost customized training and job-training incentives.

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