In the heart of Kentucky’s rolling hills, where the scent of aging whiskey barrels mingles with the crisp autumn air, Heaven Hill Distillery has made a triumphant homecoming. On September 4, 2025, the Shapira family, stewards of America’s largest privately held distillery, cut the ribbon on their new $200 million Heaven Hill Springs Distillery in Bardstown, Kentucky. This isn’t just a new building—it’s a bold statement of resilience, family legacy, and unwavering belief in the future of American whiskey.
A Homecoming Rooted in History
Bardstown, known as the Bourbon Capital of the World, has been Heaven Hill’s spiritual home since the company was founded in 1935 by the Shapira brothers. Back then, they scraped together $15,000 to start “Old Heavenhill Springs” distillery, filling their first barrel on December 13, a date that still marks the company’s anniversary. For decades, Bardstown was where Heaven Hill crafted iconic brands like Evan Williams, Elijah Craig, and Henry McKenna. But in 1996, a catastrophic fire changed everything. The blaze consumed the original distillery, seven rickhouses, and nearly 100,000 barrels of whiskey, forcing Heaven Hill to relocate production to the Bernheim Distillery in Louisville.
For almost 30 years, Bardstown missed the hum of Heaven Hill’s stills. The company continued bottling and aging whiskey in the area, but the heart of production—distilling—happened elsewhere. Now, with the opening of Heaven Hill Springs Distillery, that heartbeat has returned. “The people of Bardstown have helped us create and build our brands over all these many years, so it’s a special homecoming,” said Max Shapira, executive chairman, at the opening ceremony. Bardstown Mayor Dick Heaton echoed the sentiment, presenting Shapira with a key to the city and declaring, “Welcome home, Heaven Hill.”
A Modern Marvel with Deep Roots
The Heaven Hill Springs Distillery, located at 1355 E. John Rowan Blvd., is no ordinary facility. Originally budgeted at $135 million, the project’s cost climbed to over $200 million, reflecting the company’s commitment to building a state-of-the-art operation that honors tradition while embracing innovation. Construction began in 2022 on a 61-acre site, and the first barrel was filled on April 7, 2025, a moment that brought together whiskey enthusiasts, local workers, and the Shapira family.
The distillery is designed to double Heaven Hill’s production capacity, starting with 150,000 barrels annually and expandable in phases to match the 450,000-barrel capacity of the Bernheim Distillery. It features cutting-edge equipment, including three hammer mills, ten 90,384-gallon fermenters, and a towering 70-foot Vendome Copper & Brass Works column still. Every drop of bourbon flows through a spirits safe, ensuring quality control for the six mashbills that produce beloved brands like Larceny, Rittenhouse Rye, Old Fitzgerald, and Mellow Corn.
But it’s not just about volume. Heaven Hill has woven sustainability into the facility’s core. A water pre-treatment plant converts distillery waste into energy, powering operations while reducing environmental impact. Spent grains, the leftovers from whiskey production, are transformed into distillers’ dried grains for animal feed, a nod to the company’s forward-thinking ethos. “Bourbon making is an old art, but we are applying forward-thinking approaches to ensure we are environmentally conscious and a good neighbor,” said Conor O’Driscoll, Heaven Hill’s master distiller and 2025 Icons of Whisky America Master Distiller of the Year.
A Family’s Vision for the Future
Heaven Hill’s independence sets it apart in an industry increasingly dominated by corporate giants. Still owned and operated by the Shapira family, the company has the freedom to plan for the long term. Kate Latts, co-president and daughter of Max Shapira, emphasized this at the opening: “This distillery is a $200 million investment, but more than that, it’s a promise. It’s a promise to continue leading as an independent family-owned company.” Her husband, Allan Latts, also co-president, added that the facility is “a cornerstone of our long-term vision to grow with purpose, to lead with quality and transparency.”
This vision is personal for the Shapiras. Max Shapira, whose father, Ed, was one of the founding brothers, stood alongside his family at the ribbon-cutting, reflecting on nearly nine decades of grit and resilience. The ceremony also honored Charlie Downs, Master Distiller Emeritus, who worked at all four of Heaven Hill’s distilleries over his 40-year career. Downs, who started at the original Bardstown site in the 1970s, served as honorary master distiller for the first barrel filling, a symbolic bridge between past and future.
To mark the occasion, Heaven Hill released a limited-edition bourbon, Heaven Hill Master Distillers Unity. This blend combines a 1991 barrel from the original distillery with barrels aged 14, 8, and 6 years from Bernheim, representing 34 years of craftsmanship. Only 4,000 bottles, at 53.5% ABV, are available exclusively at the distillery for $225, making it a collector’s prize.
A Bourbon Lover’s Destination
The Heaven Hill Springs Distillery isn’t just a production hub; it’s a destination for whiskey enthusiasts. Starting September 8, 2025, the “Heritage Rising Tour” offers behind-the-scenes access, beginning at the Heaven Hill Bourbon Experience and including transportation to the new facility. Visitors can explore the distillery’s operations, from the copper still to the spirits safe, and enjoy guided tastings at the signature bar. Unlike some distilleries that prioritize tourism over production, this is “a working distillery that visitors can come to, not a tourist attraction that makes whiskey,” O’Driscoll noted.
The distillery’s opening aligns with Heaven Hill’s broader commitment to bourbon tourism, a growing economic driver in Kentucky. The nearby Heaven Hill Bourbon Experience, an official stop on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, already draws thousands annually. With the new distillery, Bardstown’s profile as a global bourbon hub is set to rise further. “This facility will welcome thousands of visitors each year, sharing our story and strengthening tourism,” said Mayor Heaton.
Betting Big on Bourbon’s Future
The $200 million investment comes at a time when some question the bourbon industry’s trajectory, with a reported slowdown in U.S. alcohol consumption. But Heaven Hill is undeterred. “We’ve been in business 90 years by being patient, having perseverance, and reacting smartly to changes in the market,” O’Driscoll said. The company’s optimism extends beyond the U.S., with brands like Elijah Craig gaining international traction, including sponsorships of the Ryder Cup and the 2025 PGA Championship.
Currently, Heaven Hill ages over 2.1 million barrels across 70 warehouses in Nelson and Jefferson Counties, accounting for roughly 15% of the global bourbon supply. The new distillery ensures the company can meet rising demand without compromising quality. Its dual-distillery approach—maintaining Bernheim while expanding in Bardstown—gives Heaven Hill flexibility to innovate while preserving the recipes that have earned accolades like Whisky Magazine’s 2024 Distillery of the Year.
A Legacy That Endures
As Heaven Hill approaches its 90th anniversary on December 13, 2025, the Heaven Hill Springs Distillery stands as a testament to endurance. From surviving Prohibition’s end to rebuilding after the 1996 fire, the Shapira family has navigated challenges with a fierce commitment to independence and quality. “This isn’t just a distillery,” Kate Latts said. “It’s a symbol of our view of the future of Kentucky bourbon.”
For bourbon lovers, the return of Heaven Hill to Bardstown is more than a business move—it’s a homecoming that promises bold flavors, rich history, and a legacy that will age as gracefully as the whiskey in its barrels. Whether you’re sipping a glass of Evan Williams or chasing a bottle of Parker’s Heritage Collection, Heaven Hill’s new chapter invites you to raise a glass to tradition, innovation, and the spirit of Kentucky.
