Diageo has unveiled plans to invest an estimated $115 million in a new, 1.8-million-gallon (750,000 nine-liter case) distillery in Shelby County, Kentucky. The facility, which will be built across 300 acres of land and include six barrel storage warehouses, is slated to distill Diageo’s current and future Bourbon and North American whiskey brands. Diageo expects to receive approvals and break ground on the distillery in the coming months, with the goal of beginning operations by late 2016.
According to Diageo North America president Larry Schwartz, the three-year project is part of Diageo’s overall strategy to “cement our commitment to expanding our share of the American whiskey category.” Diageo’s North American whiskey portfolio includes the Bulleit, Crown Royal, George Dickel and 7 Crown brands among others. The Bourbon category grew 14% by value in the U.S. in the 52 weeks through April 26, according to IRI.