Eastern Light Distilling is celebrating a milestone in the creation of its new distillery, with the company’s goal to bring significant new investment, jobs, and tourism opportunities to the Kentucky bourbon industry.
The project was first announced in June of 2023 and has made significant progress over the past year.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, local elected officials and others were welcomed today to commemorate the official groundbreaking of the new Rowan County distillery, which is expected to open in late 2025.
Lead by seasoned bourbon industry veterans Caleb Kilburn and Cordell Lawrence, Eastern Light sits on a 230-acre campus in Morehead, Kentucky. It 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 bourbon tourism experience. Employing more than 50 full-time staff, the distillery plans to produce 97,000 barrels per year.
Caleb and Cordell’s shared passion for the bourbon industry inspired them to create a solution to growing challenges within the spirits space—Eastern Light will collaborate with fellow craft makers from inception to branding to help cultivate their ideal bourbon creations.
“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.”
“Very few people get to live out their lifelong dreams, so it’s with great pride that we salute Caleb and Cordell on their bold new venture with Eastern Light Distilling. Their industry experience and knowledge will allow more innovative distillers from around the world to use Kentucky bourbon in their craft,” said Eric Gregory, president of the Kentucky Distillers’ Association. “It’s even more exciting to think of all the opportunities this distillery will bring into Eastern Kentucky. Today’s groundbreaking is a win for bourbon entrepreneurs, bourbon connoisseurs, and bourbon communities!”
In the coming months, Eastern Light plan to achieve several goals during the development of its new distillery campus, with massive construction progress, gradual hiring, and offering a sizeable contribution to the economy of Eastern Kentucky.
