A new whiskey clubhouse is now open in Crestwood, bringing a craft barrel tasting experience that focuses on local grains and spirits to Oldham County.
Kentucky Artisan Distillery Clubhouse opened Jan. 31 at 6316 Old LaGrange Road, and takes a "hands on" distilling approach, which Benjamin Eaves, a lead distiller and processing manager, said allows for a flavor profile that isn't found everywhere.
"It's keeping it local. It's keeping it truly Kentucky, and it's a true terroir experience," said Eaves. "I mean, you're experiencing the flavor of those grains. It's grown in the field right up the road here, and we try to make sure that expression comes all the way through into the spirit."
Founded in 2012 as a contract distiller, a company that produces distilled spirits for other brands, Kentucky Artisan Distillery brought grain to glass distilling to Oldham County. But with the opening of the Clubhouse at, just a half a mile from its distilling operations at 6230 Old LaGrange Road, Kentucky Artisan Distillery is bringing its own whiskey to the public for the first time.
"There's a lot of blood, sweat and tears that literally goes into, just into production for us," Eaves said of the craft distiller.
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Here's a sneak peek of the new Kentucky Artisan Distillery Clubhouse:
What is Kentucky Artisan Distillery?
As a contract distiller, Kentucky Artisan Distillery helps produce spirits for other bands. One of its most popular is Jefferson's Bourbon.
"We work to help people start new brands," said Mark Emberson, general manager at Kentucky Artisan Distillery.
Now the team is bringing its own spirits to the public.
"You put in a tremendous amount of work, and, I mean, it's hard work, hard effort, and a lot of love poured into it, and to get to finally release something that you have personally worked on ... but this is personal," Eaves said. "This is what we've done, and we get to put our face and name to it, and that for me, is very exciting."
Emberson said while this new barrel tasting experience venture is exciting and something of which the Kentucky Artisan Distillery team is very proud, the business will still largely be focused on its contract distilling and working to create new brands with interested individuals.
"We really felt that what we're putting out there with our own label, was something that we felt represents our highest quality work, and we also had enough barrels to actually provide the product," Emberson said.
What is the Kentucky Artisan Distillery Clubhouse experience?
Upon entering the Clubhouse, guests will receive a customized tasting glass and a list of the barrel picks being tasted, as well as a punch card that helps staff ensure guests aren't overserved.
Then guests can start their "self-guided, self-discovery" tasting by taking their glass to the barrel area where the barrels are manned by various distillers.
"The whole concept of doing direct to barrel sampling is fairly new," Emberson said. "But what makes us different is we are offering five very different mash bills."
Emberson said it's important to have the distillers serving the spirits because it allows guests to ask questions and get expert details to better understand what they're sipping.
"I want it to be a real authentic experience," Emberson said. "We want to be as transparent as possible, and we want people to learn something on the way."
What are some items on the Kentucky Artisan Distillery menu?
Kentucky Artisan Distillery's first five-barrel tasting menu which consists of:
Emberson said the menu will occasionally rotate, offering a variety of experiences for repeat guests.
When can I visit the Kentucky Artisan Distillery Clubhouse?
The Clubhouse, 6316 Old LaGrange Road, is open Fridays and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 5 p.m.
Visitors are not required to take a tour of the distillery in order to do a tasting, which costs $30 per person. Distillery tours, 6230 Old LaGrange Road, are available for $20 per person.
Reservations for the Clubhouse tasting are recommended and can be booked online at KentuckyArtisanDistillery.com but walk-ins can be accommodated if space permits.
Contact business reporter Olivia Evans at [email protected] or on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @oliviamevans_.