As 2024 wraps up, progress continues at our Heaven Hill Springs Distillery in Bardstown, Kentucky. Nearly nine decades since Heaven Hill first operated a distillery here, this project represents a return to our roots—and an investment in both bourbon production and the local community.
Two key milestones highlight the momentum: the arrival of fresh grain for distilling and the planting of trees to enhance and sustain the property.
Fresh Grain, Fresh Beginnings
Every exceptional bourbon begins with the finest grains, and we’re proud to source the best from across the region. Recently, we’ve started receiving our fresh rye and malt, along with locally grown corn from Peterson Farms in Loretto, Kentucky. These high-quality grains are carefully inspected and stored on site in silos, designed to preserve their freshness and quality until they’re ready for whiskey production.
The arrival of our grain marks the next step in our journey to begin distilling at Heaven Hill Springs, blending the traditional techniques that made us a household name with the state-of-the-art technology shaping our future.
Planting Our Roots
Earlier this month, more than 75 Heaven Hill employees from across Kentucky came together to plant 100 trees on the distillery grounds. This effort is part of a larger project to reforest three acres of the site with 600 trees. The initiative also includes transforming an additional 30 acres into native grass meadows and pollinator habitats.
These improvements go beyond beautifying the property. The trees and meadows will help restore local ecosystems, provide habitats for wildlife, and reduce carbon emissions—all while contributing to our larger sustainability goal of planting 5,000 trees in the communities where we live and work by 2030.
Looking Ahead
As the year ends, Heaven Hill Springs Distillery stands as a powerful symbol of heritage and innovation, and we couldn’t be more excited to see it take shape. Fresh grain on-site marks a new era of bourbon production, while the new trees and green spaces ensure a sustainable future for generations to come.
Stay tuned as we share more updates on this incredible journey. For now, we celebrate both the progress we’ve made and the shared efforts of our Heaven Hill family and the Bardstown community that make it possible. Let’s grow together.
