Willett Distillery has filled the first barrel at its new Washington County site in Springfield, Kentucky, officially beginning production at the facility. The milestone was reached on Thursday 18 June as part of the project’s first phase, with the distillery now fully online.
The date also marked the late Martha Kulsveen’s birthday, adding personal significance for the family-owned distillery.
The milestone connects Willett’s newest chapter with the legacy of the late Even Kulsveen, a Bourbon Hall of Fame member who resurrected the Willett Distillery in the 1970s.
“This first barrel represents an important moment for our family, our team and the future of Willett Distillery,” said Drew Kulsveen, master distiller at Willett. “Beginning production in Springfield allows us to grow while continuing to honor the people, places and traditions that have made Willett what it is today.”
The new facility represents a significant investment in the Bourbon category. The project includes a distillery operation, barrel storage warehouses, and capacity to expand visitor experiences.
The 70,000-square-foot facility sits on 150 acres. It is expected to create 35 full-time jobs as operations continue to grow.
Construction on the full campus is not yet complete. Future expansion will include a visitor experience, adding to the site’s role in Kentucky’s Bourbon tourism economy on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail once finished.
The Springfield project is not a relocation. All operations in Bardstown will remain, including Willett’s visitor experiences, dining and tastings, bottling and warehousing.
“Our Bardstown roots remain at the heart of who we are,” Kulsveen said. “Springfield gives us room to grow while allowing us to continue building on the legacy, craftsmanship and hospitality that have always defined Willett. We are proud to invest in Washington County and grateful for the support we have received from the local community.”
Willett Distillery was established in 1936, three years after the repeal of Prohibition, on the original family hog farm in Nelson County. The first barrel of whiskey was rolled into Warehouse A on St Patrick’s Day 1937.
Approaching its 90th anniversary, Willett continues to produce Kentucky Bourbon and Kentucky Rye whiskeys. The company remains independent and family-owned and operated.
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