Full steam ahead in Kentucky
The times they are a-changing in Kentucky as the bourbon producers enjoy a renewed interest in their products. Dominic Roskrow reports
The road is a nightmare. Little more than an uneven dirt track, its entrance sufficiently concealed that we drive by it twice.
Weâre just outside Bardstown in Kentucky, and weâre meant to be getting a glimpse of bourbonâs future. Right now, in the dust and glare of the late summer sun, it seems weâre doing anything but.
When we reach the site of the distillery, it doesnât look promising. The ground is unkempt and overgrown, and littered with rusting pieces of farm machinery.
The warehouses, which in Kentucky tend to be huge carbuncles, grim and unwelcoming at the best of times, are in a state of disrepair. The paint is flaking off them, and all the windows are broken.
Finally we find signs of work in progress, paint and wooden floorboards placed by a warehouse door, so we park up and stroll across. And as soon as we enter the building our misgivings are thrown aside. Welcome to Kentucky Bourbon Distillers, a father and son operation with an eye on becoming the newest addition to the bourbon family.
Actually we donât get to meet Kulsveen senior. Heâs up a ladder in the middle of installing the wooden beams that will one day form the floor for the planned tourist trail.
Elsewhere itâs a hive of activity as work goes on to build an operational distillery.
âWeâre hoping to be making whiskey here in about a year from now,â son Even Kulsveen tells us. âWeâve been bottling for other people on site for some years but this is a dream of dadâs. Weâr.....
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By Dominic Roskrow
Section : Whisky Trends
Page number : 40
