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The new Bulleit Frontier Whiskey Experience at Stitzel-Weller is now open. BourbonBlog.com reports from ribbon-cutting ceremony as we join our friends in the Bulleit and Diageo family to celebrate the opening of the Bulleit Frontier Whiskey Experience at Stitzel-Weller.

The Stitzel-Weller Distillery in Shively opened on Derby Day in 1935. For four decades, it thrived and was known for making the finest bourbons in the world. On June 30th, 1972, the company was sold. After a series of name and ownership changes, Stitzel-Weller is now owned by Diageo.

Hours of Operation at Visitors Center

Bulleit Bourbon 10Starting September 16, The Bulleit Frontier Whiskey Experience at Stitzel-Weller will be open to the public Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. -3 p.m., with the last tour beginning at 2 p.m. Admission, which includes a tasting, costs $10 for adults of legal drinking age.

Bulleit Frontier Whiskey Experience Stitzel-Weller Address: 3860 Fitzgerald Road, Louisville, Kentucky 40216

Visitors will be able to see firsthand Bulleit founder Tom Bulleit’s working office and take a trip into the past of one of America’s most historic facilities. Guests will tour the warehouse where the rickhousing system was invented in 1879, the cooperage which remains unchanged since opening in 1935, and the historic foyer, inspired by Monticello. Beginning in early December, the tour will also include a look at a new finishing center, where visitors will be able to add customized engravings, etchings and hand-selected graphics to products available for purchase at the site.

Next Phase of Refurbishing

We first told you about as it started the renovations in February 2014 and this morning it officially opened and Diageo shared plans for additional renovations to the historic Louisville distillery.

This next phase of refurbishing the facility will include construction of a new bottling line, an on-site finishing center and a small batch craft still for the Visitor Center focused on innovation. This brings Diageo’s total investments in Stitzel-Weller announced in 2014 to more than ten million dollars.

In addition to distilling, the company will bring bottling capabilities back to Stitzel-Weller. A new bottling line is currently under construction and slated to start up in late 2014. Plans call for the new line to bottle a range of American whiskeys and bourbons.

 

 

Tom Bulleit Bulleit bourbon

“As a Kentuckian and a son of the Bourbon industry, watching this national treasure come back to life has been an incredible experience,” said Bulleit Bourbon founder, Tom Bulleit. “Having Stitzel-Weller be the home of the Bulleit Frontier Whiskey Experience gives me a tremendous amount of pride and a feeling of excitement for what the future holds.”

“Stitzel-Weller is widely recognized as an iconic part of bourbon’s past, and the Bulleit Frontier Whiskey Experience we are opening today celebrates that history,” said Larry Schwartz, President, Diageo North America.

“Stitzel-Weller is sacred ground in our city, the home of iconic bourbon brands and now the home of the Bulleit Frontier Whiskey Experience,” said Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer.

While Stitzel-Weller will remain home to the Bulleit Bourbon brand, the new small batch craft still for the Visitor Center will also nurture inspired experimentation and education. Fueled by innovation, it will embody the entrepreneurial spirit that has long lived within the walls of the historic site.

The facility will include an industry archive and serve as a resource for members of the trade, whiskey industry and other interested parties who are of legal drinking age.

This latest investment comes on the heels of Diageo’s ground breaking last month at the new Shelby County, Kentucky Bulleit Distilling Co. facility. The 1.8 million proof gallon (750,000 9-liter cases) distillery will distill Bulleit Bourbon, as well as a number of current and future Diageo bourbon and North American Whiskey brands. Construction plans are on track and Diageo aims to have the distillery operational in late 2016.

Hollis Bulleit Bourbon
 

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