Angel’s Envy Distillery Joins The Kentucky Bourbon Trail® Tour

February 13, 2017

For Immediate Release – February 13, 2017

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Angel’s Envy, Louisville’s newest distillery, is also the newest member of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail® experience, becoming the 10th stop on the world-famous journey that showcases the state’s signature spirit.

Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer made the announcement today at the downtown site on historic Whiskey Row, where Angel’s Envy recently opened its $27 million distillery, brand home and gift shop.

“The spectacular Angel’s Envy Distillery represents another unique hometown brand and an immersive Bourbon experience that will delight the 24 million tourists who visit Louisville each year,” Fischer said.

“We take great pride in Angel’s Envy and our city’s rich Bourbon heritage. Adding Angel’s Envy will only strengthen Louisville’s place as the Official Gateway to the Kentucky Bourbon Trail with four world-class distilleries – and more to come.”

Fischer joined leaders of the Kentucky Distillers’ Association, which created the KBT tour in 1999, in giving a commemorative copper plaque to Angel’s Envy and its Louisville Distilling Company to mark the occasion.

He also stamped the first KBT Passport featuring an Angel’s Envy page.

“It’s a huge honor to be alongside the best spirits producers in the world,” said Wes Henderson, Co-Founder of Angel’s Envy and Chief Innovation Officer. “This is a group of people that I’ve admired since my childhood.

“To be an even bigger part of the history and heritage of Kentucky Bourbon is something I take a great deal of pride in. Angel’s Envy will provide yet another reason for visitors to come to the Kentucky Bourbon Trail and learn more about our native spirit.”

KDA President Eric Gregory said Angel’s Envy offers an impressive, state-of-the-art tourism experience. The distillery is housed at 500 East Main Street in the former Vermont American Building, a restored warehouse that takes up an entire city block.

“This stunning facility is a welcome and capital addition to our iconic Kentucky Bourbon Trail tour,” he said. “The Henderson family has deep roots in Kentucky’s distilling history. We’re thrilled that Bourbon lovers can now enjoy the Angel’s Envy experience.”

Karen Williams, President & CEO, Louisville Convention & Visitors Bureau, said, “Angel’s Envy was one of the first to recognize Louisville’s potential as an ‘Urban Bourbon’ experience for visitors.

“We are thrilled they are a part of the growing number of Bourbon attractions that make our city such an appealing and authentic destination.”

The KDA recently announced that tourists made a record 1 million stops at Kentucky Bourbon Trail® and Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour® distilleries in 2016. The booming attraction has increased attendance by 300 percent in the last 10 years.

Participating distilleries include Bulleit’s Stitzel-Weller Distillery, Louisville; Four Roses, Lawrenceburg and Cox’s Creek; Heaven Hill, Bardstown and its Evan Williams Bourbon Experience, Louisville; Jim Beam, Clermont and Louisville; Maker’s Mark, Loretto; Town Branch, Lexington; Wild Turkey, Lawrenceburg; and Woodford Reserve, Versailles. Learn more at www.kybourbontrail.com.

Angel’s Envy, a Kentucky Bourbon finished in port barrels, was inspired and crafted by the late Master Distiller Lincoln Henderson, an inaugural member of the Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame and an original pioneer of the premium Bourbon category.

Henderson, his son Wes, and grandson Kyle broke ground on the distillery in July 2013. “It meant a great deal to Lincoln, seeing his life’s work culminate in such a significant endeavor,” Wes Henderson said.

In addition to its award-winning Angel’s Envy, the company produces Angel’s Envy Cask Strength and Angel’s Envy Rye aged in rum barrels – both innovative expressions from Lincoln Henderson before his passing in 2013 at age 75.

In order to keep tour groups small, personable and engaging, guests must make reservations online, said Brand Home Manager Dee Ford. “We intentionally keep our tour groups small and intimate to allow guests to ask questions and engage in the process.

“Making a reservation ensures a first-class experience.”

For reservations and more information, visit www.angelsenvy.com.

Kentucky Bourbon is one of the Commonwealth’s most historic and treasured industries, a booming $8.5 billion economic engine that generates as many as 17,500 jobs with an annual payroll topping $800 million, pouring $825 million into tax coffers each year.

The KDA released a University of Louisville study last week that shows the industry is in the middle of a $1.2 billion building boom. There are now 52 distilleries in the Commonwealth and 6.7 million barrels of aging Bourbon – both modern records.

Adam Johnson, Director of the KDA’s Kentucky Bourbon Trail® program, said Louisville’s eclectic culinary scene and cosmopolitan nightlife is the perfect complement for KBT guests.

“The combination of Louisville’s rich Bourbon history, the new Angel’s Envy experience and the Kentucky Bourbon Trail adventure has enormous potential to rival California’s wine country in terms of visitors and impact,” he said.

Gregory said, “The continued growth of Kentucky’s signature Bourbon industry is astounding, and we couldn’t have reached this level without great partners like Mayor Fischer, the Louisville CVB and distilleries like Angel’s Envy.

“By working together, Louisville has become a global Bourbon tourism destination that cannot be duplicated anywhere in the world.”
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For more information, contact:

Chris Poynter, Mayor’s Office, (502) 574-4546, mobile (502) 396-2015
Deja Lawson, Angel’s Envy, (502) 890-6282
Eric Gregory, KDA President, (502) 875-9351, mobile (859) 771-1050
Adam Johnson, Kentucky Bourbon Trail® Director (502) 875-9351, mobile (859) 583-
0301

The KDA is a non-profit trade association founded in 1880 to promote, protect and elevate Kentucky’s signature Bourbon and distilled spirits industry. Heritage members include Beam Suntory (Jim Beam and Maker’s Mark), Brown-Forman Corp. (Old Forester and Woodford Reserve), Diageo North America, Four Roses Distillery, Heaven Hill Brands, Michter’s Distillery and Wild Turkey Distillery. Proof members include the Louisville Distilling Company and Willett Distillery.

Craft members include Alltech’s Town Branch Distillery, Bardstown Bourbon Company, Barrel House Distilling Co., Bluegrass Distillers, Boone County Distilling Company, Boundary Oak Distillery, Casey Jones Distillery, Copper & Kings American Brandy Distillery, Corsair Artisan Distillery, Dueling Grounds Distillery, Hartfield & Co. Distillery, Jeptha Creed Distillery, Kentucky Artisan Distillery, Kentucky Mist Moonshine, Kentucky Peerless Distilling Co., Limestone Branch Distillery, MB Roland Distillery, New Riff Distillery, The Old Pogue Distillery, O.Z. Tyler Distillery, Second Sight Spirits, Wadelyn Ranch Distillery and Wilderness Trail Distillery. The Distilled Spirits Epicenter is the KDA’s official educational distillery.

KENTUCKY BOURBON TRAIL®, KENTUCKY BOURBON TRAIL CRAFT TOUR®, KENTUCKY
BOURBON AFFAIR™, KBT™ and BOURBON TRAIL™ are trademarks/service marks of the Kentucky Distillers’ Association. Please drink responsibly.

Enjoy Like a True Kentuckian: Responsibly
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