Eastern Light Distilling recently broke ground on its new $143 million distillery in Morehead.
First announced back in June 2023, the new facility will introduce an innovative new concept aimed at growing the bourbon industry in Eastern Kentucky while also supporting craft bourbon makers as a custom contract distiller.
50,000-Square-Foot Distillery
The locally owned venture is led by bourbon industry veterans, including CEO Cordell Lawrence and Caleb Kilburn, an internationally recognized master distiller.
“We are thrilled to celebrate this important moment as we bring Eastern Light Distilling to life,” said Caleb Kilburn, Eastern Light Distilling Founding Partner and Master Distiller. “Being from Eastern Kentucky, I’m grateful for the opportunity to grow the industry that I’m so passionate about in the region that I call home.”
Eastern Light sits on a 230-acre campus that will soon be home to a 50,000-square-foot full-service distillery.
The distillery will have nine rickhouses with an average capacity of 33,000 barrels each, a full bottling facility and a unique bourbon tourism experience.
“Eastern Light Distilling is adding to the historic growth we’re seeing all across Kentucky’s signature bourbon industry,” said Governor Andy Beshear. “Today’s official groundbreaking ceremony marks another significant step forward for our spirits industry as it continues to provide incredible job opportunities for the Eastern Kentucky region. Congratulations to Eastern Light Distilling’s leadership on reaching this exciting milestone.”
The project also represents a major success for the Kentucky Product Development Initiative, a program designed to increase investment in sites and buildings statewide, as the Rowan County site was approved for nearly $600,000 in state support earlier in 2023.
“Eastern Light will fill a tremendous need in the bourbon industry, operating with a fully customizable solutions-based model that will help craft distillers and bourbon brands to not only reach their goals and bring their products to market, but to flourish,” said Cordell Lawrence, founding partner and CEO of Eastern Light Distilling. “We believe in removing barriers to entry in the spirits space so that we can share our passion with likeminded creators while prioritizing quality, inspiring creativity and investing in the state’s signature bourbon industry and the health of the region.”
Once construction is complete, the distillery will employ more than 50 full-time staff.
The distillery is expected to produce upwards of 97,000 barrels per year.
For more information, visit easternlight.com.
