Kentucky Owl Park, Kentucky

Stoli Group is constructing the Kentucky Owl Park, a new distillery, in Kentucky, US.

Estimated to cost $150m, Kentucky Owl Park will involve the conversion of a former Creek Quarry into a distillery, which will produce bourbon. It will comprise the distillery, visitor centre, and a bottling centre, in addition to rick houses and a restaurant.

Ground-breaking of the new distillery was conducted in November 2017 while operations are anticipated to be started in 2020.

Kentucky Owl Park location

Kentucky Owl Park will be located on the 420-acre (170ha) Haydon Materials Quarry in Louisville, Bardstown, Kentucky.

Kentucky Owl Park development phases

The new distillery will be home to the company’s newly created American Whiskey Division. It is expected to produce brown liquors and expand the product portfolio of Stoli, which is mainly focused on manufacturing vodka.

Kentucky Owl Park is being developed in two phases, with the first phase involving the construction of a station building and a reception facility. The facilities to be developed will also include a distillation facility, an aged storage, and a bottling facility.

The second phase development will include the construction of a multi-purpose hall and a gallery.

Kentucky Owl Park design details

Designed by Shigeru Ban Architects, Kentucky Owl Park will feature three pyramid-shaped buildings rooted in industrial vernacular design. To be sited within the natural rustic landscape, the buildings will use diamond-shaped wood components and glass panels, as well as reflect the visual elements of the local bourbon-making process.

The quarry pits present on the site will be converted into crystal-clear lakes with limestone-filtered water.

The facility is proposed to irrigate large-capacity lakewater and use water and power as heat sources for bourbon production. A leisure and migratory garden is being developed to help the visitors relax.

A vintage dinner train is also proposed to be halted at the project site, allowing the visitors to have a look at the must-see destination. It will be a part of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, along with other distilleries.

Kentucky Owl’s product portfolio

Kentucky Owl manufactures a variety of beverages such as Confiscated, Batch numbers 1 to #9, and three Ryes 1 to 3.

Launched in April 2019, the Confiscated brand holds a taste of graham crackers, citrus, toffee, and muted sweet cinnamon spice. The combination also includes white grape notes and a hint of cayenne.

The Bourbon #9 was launched in October 2019 and is prepared with notes of apple, white grape, cinnamon roll, maple candy, vanilla, and rick oak. The whisky will be a mix of honey, honeysuckle, tea, citrus, caramel, and pepper.

Contractors involved

Earthscape was engaged as the design landscape architect while Joseph & Joseph Architects was included in the project development team.

Marketing commentary on Kentucky Owl

Charles Mortimer Dedman formed Kentucky Owl in 1879 while Dixon Dedman developed it. After releasing its first batch in 2014, Kentucky Owl was acquired by Stilo Group in 2017.

Established in 1938, Stoli Group began its operations with the Stolichnaya brand. The signature brands of the company include Stolichnaya Premium Vodka range, elit Vodka, Bayou Rum, Cenote Tequila, KAH Tequila, Se Busca Mezcal, Achaval-Ferrer from Argentina, and Arinzano wines from Spain.