We're thrilled to share news of our new distillery, opening this fall in Pleasureville, Kentucky. Located on over 160 acres of rolling hills astride Six Mile Creek, the picturesque property was once owned by Squire Boone, the brother of legendary frontiersman Daniel Boone.
Quietly under development since 2017, the distillery has been producing small batches of exceptional bourbon on its custom Vendome still since 2018. The Heaven’s Door Distillery features two separate stillhouses, each in its own towering western horse barn, a Visitor’s Center with tasting rooms and lounges overlooking the valley and Six Mile Creek, an eighteenth-century grist mill, two eighteenth-century cabins and a Moravian barn, all of which have been painstakingly restored. Heaven’s Door Distillery plans to open its doors to the public in 2024.
“This is a momentous occasion for Heaven’s Door,” said Marc Bushala, co-founder and CEO of Heaven’s Door Spirits. “We selected this location for its remarkable natural beauty and unique ecosystem that has enabled us to make exceptional bourbon and create an unrivaled visitor experience,” added Bushala. “We are committed to the art of craft whiskey and honor the legacy of the many pioneers who have helped make Kentucky bourbon what it is today. We are thrilled to have Heaven’s Door be part of this storied tradition.”
John Logan Brent, Executive Judge for Henry County, remarked, “There is no better place on Earth for the Heaven’s Door Distillery than Pleasureville, Kentucky. The entire project was thoughtfully designed, respecting the terrain and supporting the local community. It has been a pleasure to watch this vision unfold over the past five years.”
HEAVEN'S DOOR DISTILLERY
& BRAND CENTER
WELCOME TO PLEASUREVILLE • OPENING SOON
MEET OUR MASTER DISTILLER
Heaven’s Door is proud to announce Ken Pierce as Master Distiller and head of all whiskey production at the new distillery and brand center.
Training under three Master Distillers before joining Heaven’s Door Spirits, Ken has been involved in every aspect of bourbon production from grain to glass with several award-winning releases to his name.
Joining us from the former Six Mile Creek Distillery, Ken has played a vital role since breaking ground in 2016 and brings over forty years of experience. His early days in distilled spirits began with Barton Brands of Georgia where he grew from Plant Chemist to Quality Control Manager. After six years Pierce was relocated to Bardstown to open their Barton 1792 Distillery, eventually becoming Master Distiller, and proved instrumental in the development of their popular small batch bourbon and its limited release expressions.
Ken Pierce, an industry veteran, was brought on as Master Distiller to lead the project from design through distillation. Ken began his illustrious career with Barton Brands Distillery, initially working as Senior Chemist to Director of Distillation and eventually becoming Master Distiller. Ken was instrumental in the development of 1792 Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey and its limited release expressions.
“I was honored to be chosen as Master Distiller for the Pleasureville project,” said Pierce, “The Heaven’s Door Distillery has been an incredible project, from inception to production of our first barrels. For me, this is a living legacy of my 40 years in the industry and my passion for making great whiskey.”
Heaven’s Door is proud to lead the way in sustainable distilling, utilizing two underground aquifers for pristine limestone water and geothermal heating and cooling for its buildings. The distillery cultivates its own heirloom grains and recycles protein-rich mash from fermentation as cattle feed on surrounding farms. Recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as one of eight distilleries to earn the ENERGY STAR certification for superior energy performance. EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan praised these distilleries for their energy-efficient operations, emphasizing the role of every manufacturing sector in emission reduction.
At Heaven's Door, we constantly seek new ways to improve. Our clear goal is to be known as the most sustainable distillery. Through ongoing dedication, we aim to set new standards for a greener future in the spirits industry. The project will help drive economic growth and opportunities in the county by creating more than 50 jobs and bringing tourism to the area. The distillery also plans to work with local farmers to source ingredients for its spirits, further strengthening its ties to the community.
THE LAST REFUGE
Brand & Visual Arts Center
In addition to its Pleasureville distillery, Heaven’s Door has announced it will open a unique brand experience in a former church in Downtown Louisville in Fall 2023. The brand experience will house a small live music venue, a private event space and a restaurant and bar featuring one of the largest selections of American whiskeys in the country.
The Heaven’s Door brand center includes plans to construct a new 15,000 square foot immersive art experience adjacent to the church which will feature a collection of Bob Dylan’s critically acclaimed paintings and metalworks, as well as curated exhibitions of other artists.
The Company had previously announced that it intended to open a showcase distillery and brand center in a 160-year-old church in Nashville, Tennessee, which it acquired in 2016. “With our distillery opening in Pleasureville, KY, having our brand experience in Louisville made more sense,” said Bushala. “We will use the Nashville property as the seat of The Heaven’s Door Foundation, the Company’s philanthropic arm which supports charities for the arts.”
