MOREHEAD Eastern Light Distilling officially broke ground on its bourbon distillery in Morehead on Wednesday.
Eastern Light will bring the state’s signature bourbon industry eastern Kentucky, generating new investment, jobs and tourism opportunities to the region, according to a press release.
First announced in June 2023, the new project has made significant progress over the past year.
Gov. Andy Beshear, local elected officials and others were present Wednesday to commemorate the official groundbreaking of the new Rowan County distillery that is expected to open in late 2025.
“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.”
Spearheaded by Kilburn and Cordell Lawrence, Eastern Light sits on a 230-acre campus in Morehead, that will soon be home to a 50,000-square-foot full-service distillery, nine rickhouses with an average capacity of 33,000 barrels each, a full bottling facility and a unique tourism experience.
Employing more than 50 full-time staff, the distillery will produce upwards of 97,000 barrels per year, according to the release.
“Eastern Light Distilling is adding to the historic growth we’re seeing all across Kentucky’s signature bourbon industry,” Beshear said. “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.”
Eastern Light will collaborate with fellow craft makers from inception to branding to help cultivate their ideal bourbon creations, stated the release.
“Kentucky’s bourbon industry is booming, and Eastern Light Distilling shows that the prosperity from this important sector is being shared widely,” said Senior Adviser Rocky Adkins. “This is a proud moment for all of eastern Kentucky as this great project takes shape. I want to thank and congratulate Eastern Light Distilling’s leaders as well as the local officials who made this project possible.”
“Eastern Light Distilling’s new project is a tremendous boost for Rowan County and the entire eastern Kentucky region,” said Judge-Executive Harry Clark. “This groundbreaking not only symbolizes the arrival of significant investment and job creation but also heralds a new era of tourism and economic growth for our community.”
The project remains on track for operations to begin in late 2025. The co-founders said they are grateful for the support and enthusiasm surrounding the project.