The end of the line is moving for Heaven’s Door Spirits. The whiskey brand founded by Bob Dylan has announced its plans to open a new distillery in Pleasureville, Kentucky.
Located on over 160 acres of rolling hills astride Six Mile Creek, the property was once owned by Squire Boone, the brother of frontiersman Daniel Boone. Under development since 2017, Heaven’s Door has been producing small batches of bourbon on its custom Vendome still since 2018. The distillery features two separate stillhouses, each in its own 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 September 2023.
“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.”
Ken Pierce was brought on as Master Distiller to lead the project from design through distillation. Pierce began his career with Barton Brands Distillery, initially working as Senior Chemist to Director of Distillation and eventually becoming Master Distiller. Pierce 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,” added 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 to access limestone water for its distilling as well as geothermal heating and cooling of the buildings. Through its dedication to sustainable practices, the distillery cultivates its own heirloom grains and recycles protein-rich mash from the fermentation process as feed for cattle on surrounding farms.
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.
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. It 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 Dylan’s critically acclaimed paintings and metalworks, as well as curated exhibitions of other artists.
Heaven’s Door had previously announced that it intended to open a showcase distillery and brand center in a 160-year-old church in Nashville, 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.”
