Wilderness Trail Distillery located in Danville, Kentucky was founded in 2012 and has been a staple of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour for years. Earlier this week, the Kentucky Distiller’s Association has formally announced that the Danville distillery will now join the larger Kentucky Bourbon Trail adventure, making it the 18th stop for visitors.
We would like to congratulate Pat Heist, Shane Baker and the rest of the team as they continue to make their mark in the industry. If you find yourself on the trail or just nearby in Danville, Kentucky be sure to stop in for a tour and a tasting!
Tour information can be found here: Wilderness Trail Distillery Tour
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Wilderness Trail, one of the founding distillery destinations on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft TourⓇ, has advanced to join the Kentucky Bourbon Trail® adventure, becoming the 18th stop on the world-famous journey that showcases America’s only native spirit.
Launched in 2012 as a premium craft distillery in Danville, Ky., Wilderness Trail has expanded its production and grown its distinctive visitor experience to meet the standards to become the first KBTCT distillery to graduate to the iconic Kentucky Bourbon Trail® tour.
“This is an exciting day for Wilderness Trail, the Danville community and all our Kentucky Bourbon Trail® partners,” KDA President Eric Gregory said. “Wilderness Trail has established itself as a can’t-miss stop that fully delves into the art and science of our signature spirit.
“On behalf of our members, we congratulate Wilderness Trail on their success and proudly welcome them to the legendary Kentucky Bourbon Trail® tour as its 18th member, the most participating distilleries since the KDA founded the KBT® in 1999.”
Co-owners Shane Baker and Pat Heist are recognized globally as leading fermentation specialists through their original company, Ferm Solutions, consulting with distilleries around the world to develop products and enhance production.
With more than 20 years of experience in the production of alcohol and bringing some of the best brands to market, Baker and Heist expanded their focus to creating their own brand of unique spirits ensuring quality and a healthy dose of science in the process.
“We are very excited to be joining the Kentucky Bourbon Trail® after years on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour® for both our growth as well as the impact to our community,” said Baker, Co-Owner and Master Distiller.
“We excel in offering a unique experience and educational perspective of the Bourbon-making process by focusing on the science in making Bourbon while maintaining a traditional Bourbon distillery process across our 163-acre campus in historic Danville, the birthplace of Kentucky.”
“Wilderness Trail Distillery has been an incredible asset to Boyle County,” said Jennifer Kirchner, Executive Director of Destination Danville. “In addition to their significant contributions to our local economy in agriculture, industry, and technology, they have helped us to build a robust tourism footprint.
“If you love Bourbon and you love Kentucky, then you will love Danville.”
Coupled with Danville’s small-town charm and history, Wilderness Trail will be a welcome addition that highlights the spectrum of the state’s different distillery sizes and approaches, said Adam Johnson, Senior Director of the KDA’s Kentucky Bourbon Trail® program.
“Even in a quintessential ‘Main Street, America’ town, Wilderness Trail shows you can have a world-class attraction with fantastic hospitality,” said Johnson, who is a graduate of Centre College in Danville and has lived in Danville for more than 20 years.
Wilderness Trail currently produces a Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Single Barrel Bottled in Bond, a Small Batch Bottled in Bond Bourbon, and a Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey, as well as Harvest Rum and Blue Heron Vodka.
Open for tours Tuesday through Saturday, the visitor experience will include a 45-minute walking tour and an educational tasting seminar in the Tasting Room. Their address is 4095 Lebanon Road in Danville. Learn more at www.wildernesstraildistillery.com.
Kentucky Bourbon is one of the Commonwealth’s most historic and treasured industries, a booming $8.6 billion economic engine that generates more than 20,100 jobs with an annual payroll topping $1 billion, and is currently in the middle of a $2.3 billion building boom.
There are 9.1 million barrels of Bourbon and other spirits currently aging across the Commonwealth, the most in the modern era of American whiskey. Kentucky distilleries also filled 2.1 million barrels in 2018, the most since 1967, setting a 52-year record.
Now with an all-time high of 18 participating distilleries, other KBT® members are:
Angel’s Envy, Louisville
Bardstown Bourbon Company, Bardstown
Bulleit Distilling Company, Shelbyville
Four Roses, Lawrenceburg and Cox’s Creek
Heaven Hill Bourbon Heritage Center, Bardstown
Evan Williams Bourbon Experience, Louisville
Jim Beam, Clermont and Louisville
Lux Row Distillers, Bardstown
Maker’s Mark, Loretto
Michter’s at Fort Nelson, Louisville
Old Forester Distillery, Louisville
O.Z. Tyler, Owensboro
Rabbit Hole, Louisville
Stitzel-Weller, Louisville
Town Branch, Lexington and Pikeville
Wild Turkey, Lawrenceburg
Woodford Reserve, Versailles.
Visit www.kybourbontrail.com to learn more.
“Shane and Pat have poured their hearts and souls into their distillery and it shows in every last detail,” KDA President Gregory said. “We applaud their commitment to our timeless craft and thank them for their efforts in securing Kentucky as the one true, authentic home of Bourbon.”
For more information, contact: Adam Johnson, Senior Director, Kentucky Bourbon Trail®, at (859) 583-0301 or [email protected].
Founded in 1880, the Kentucky Distillers’ Association is the historic voice for Kentucky’s signature Bourbon and distilled spirits industry. Its diverse and growing membership produces 90 percent of the world’s Bourbon, from legendary, global brands to emerging micro distilleries that are fostering the next generation of the Commonwealth’s timeless craft and treasured economic engine. Member benefits include media relations, international trade development, private sampling events, technical assistance, economic development support, networking, legal defense, marketing strategies, governmental and regulatory advocacy and innovative tourism experiences through the KDA’s world-famous Kentucky Bourbon Trail® and Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour® adventures. The KDA maintains an open membership policy, champions a strong commitment to the responsible and moderate consumption of spirits, and fights to curb underage drinking and drunk driving. Learn more at www.kybourbon.com and www.kybourbontrail.com. Make It Memorable – Enjoy Responsibly.
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