Barrels & Billets, Hillerich & Bradsby Co’s unique experience, where guests blend, create and bottle their very own bourbon, has been accepted into Kentucky Distillers Association (KDA) and will be an official member of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail.
Located at Hillerich & Bradsby Co.’s downtown Louisville campus at 8th & Main Street, the bourbon experience opened in February 2022 and has seen more than 13,000 guests in its first year. Custom bourbon experiences are offered for $35 per person and custom blend 750ml bottles can be purchased for $50. Guests can also try the Flight School experience where they can sample 3 bourbons and 3 different cocktails crafted with the Home Plate Series bourbons. A variety of Barrels & Billets bourbons are available exclusively at the attraction, including its premium bourbon J. Frederick, created in honor of J. Frederick Hillerich who immigrated to America from Germany on October 7, 1842 as a woodworker and made barrels for the burgeoning whiskey business.
More than just a tasting, guests at Barrels & Billets blend with six WoodCraft finished bourbons including a 200 Year Oak, European Oak, American Oak, Cherry Wood, Maple Wood, and Smoked Oak. During the experience, guests learn the art of bourbon blending before the chance to test their skill at blending to their own preferred flavor profile. Once the blending experience is complete, guests are able to have their unique recipe bottled onsite in a personalized, commemorative package.
“The entire Barrels & Billets team is ecstatic to join KDA and play a role in such an incredible Kentucky industry,” said Patrick Shortridge, Director of Guest Experience at Hillerich & Bradsby Co. “This is a big milestone for us and we look forward to building onto Barrels & Billets’ fun and unique take on what people can experience in downtown bourbon.”
Along with its new position on the trail, Barrels & Billets will also release a suite of three new bourbons. The Home Plate Series featuring baseball iconography includes Lucky Lumber Easy Drinking Bourbon, Lead Off Rich & Complex Bourbon and Smokin’ Fastball Smoked Bourbon. Each expression is presented at 90 proof.
“We entered the tourism and entertainment industry more than 25 years ago when we opened the doors of Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory right here on West Main,” said John Hillerich, President & CEO of Hillerich & Bradsby Co. “We’re excited to join KDA with a one-of-a-kind, fun experience that not only adds to the excitement of historic Main Street, but also complements Louisville’s flourishing bourbon tourism industry. ”
Barrels & Billets is one of three venues at Hillerich & Bradsby’s campus, located at 800 W Main St. in Louisville, including the award-winning Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory and The Skybox, a 5,000 sq. ft. event space.
Barrels & Billets‘ Lucky Lumber Easy Drinking Bourbon, Lead Off Rich & Complex Bourbon and Smokin’ Fastball Smoked Bourbon are available exclusively in the Barrels & Billets shop for $40 per bottle.
