Pursuit Spirits, the Louisville, Kentucky-based whiskey brand founded by Ryan Cecil and Kenny Coleman, announced the opening of Pursuit Spirits on Whiskey Row on Thursday, August 14. 

Two floors covering nearly 7,600 sq. ft. provide a little bit of everything: from immersive tasting experiences and a full retail shop to the new Bourbon Pursuit podcast studio and a cozy cocktail lounge built for good times. 

The Pursuit Spirits on Whiskey Row building was erected in the early 20th century and features restored hardwood floors, original brick walls, and an elevator shaft-turned-art-piece that connects the two floors via a sleek glass floor. The lower-level lounge features an old vault converted into a private seating nook, perfect for discovering your next favorite expression and sharing a new memory with someone. Across two floors, it’s a space where history and innovation meet for a damn good time. 

“The culmination of years of hard work is now here,” Coleman said in a news release. “We wouldn’t be here without the support of our loyal listeners, the industry guests who make Bourbon Pursuit the best podcast around, and our diehard fans who love the whiskey we create. We can’t wait to share this moment with you.” 

Pursuit Spirits on Whiskey Row is a destination built for the modern whiskey enthusiast, offering a range of captivating experiences. Unlike traditional distilleries, Pursuit offers a fully immersive bourbon experience built by storytellers and bourbon hunters, where you can taste what others are still trying to find. 

Guests can go behind the curtain and make an exclusive barrel selection and bottle their own whiskey right from the barrel while also getting a hands-on education in Louisville’s legendary whiskey roots. Their marquee experience, The Whole Shebang!, and Discover The Pursuit tasting will continue at this new location in addition to three brand new experiences. 

Mellwood Past and Present – 45 minutes, $35 per person

Embark on a journey through the storied history of Louisville’s Mellwood Distillery. From its post-Civil War origins to its eventual decline and its exciting resurgence with Pursuit Spirits, this session blends the best of whiskey and historChoose Your Own Cocktail Adventure – 45 minutes, $40 per person

This is for anyone who has more than a passing interest in the art of cocktail creation. Each session will be led by an expert member of our bar staff. We begin with a base spirit selection and then you’ll choose your path. There’s no standard Old Fashioned here. We offer different cocktail choices in each class so there will always be something new and interesting to discover.

Founder Hour – 60 minutes, $150 per person

Join Kenny Coleman or Cecil for an exclusive glimpse into the experimental side of Pursuit Spirits. Taste through a few products, a handful R&D projects, barrel samples, and whatever else the guys want to throw at you. You’ll get a front row seat into what it’s like picking barrels, blending whiskeys, and bringing products to market. Who knows, some of the stuff you try may never be released. It’s trial and error of their endless pursuit.

But that’s not all. What started as a basement bourbon podcast has transcended into a one-of-a-kind basement lounge, Trial+Error. A bourbon-forward cocktail lounge built on bold experimentation, authentic connection, and an unpretentious attitude. It’s a space crafted for curious drinkers and community seekers alike. 

The space itself balances warm, lived-in charm with stylish modern comfort, proving that great whiskey doesn’t have to be “bougie.” It’s an honest, inviting home for the entire whiskey community to imbibe and enjoy. 

The beverage program, designed by lead bartender Jordan Harris, is as adventurous as the brand itself. The lounge offers a curated selection of wines and beers, small bites, and a deep library of over 100 expressions from Pursuit Spirits, including private barrel releases and distillery-exclusives you simply won’t find anywhere else. 

Trial+Error’s cocktail menu includes reimaginings of classics, including the T&E Old Fashioned (Pursuit United Bourbon, Cherry Bark & Orange Demerara), the Barrel-aged Manhattan (Pursuit United Rye, House Vermouth, Black Walnut Bitters), and the kenNY Sour (Pursuit United Bourbon 108, Orange, Lemon, Maple, Angostura, Egg White, Bonny Doon Le Cigar Volant). A standout among these is the Rye-an Rita (Pursuit United Rye, Dry Curacao, Lime, Orange, Honey), an ode to Ryan Cecil’s discovery of swapping out tequila. 

The lounge also features a rotating list of playfully serious concoctions, such as: 

I’m Working Late: Pursuit United Double Oaked Bourbon, Mr. Black Cold Brew Liqueur, Banana Liqueur, Espresso, Vanilla, Chocolate Bitters 

Cherry Styles: Pursuit United Double Oaked Rye, Dark Chocolate & Black Pepper Campari, Cherry Cocchi Vermouth di Torino, Cocoa Bitters

Paint the World Pink: Fords Gin, Raspberry Pink Peppercorn Shrub, Tonic

“Curiosity, discovery, and passion is what has gotten us to this point,” said Ryan Cecil, Pursuit Spirits Co-Founder and Master Blender. “The space is truly a physical extension of everything we’ve built over the years – our whiskey, our podcast, and our commitment to uniting people through our common interests.”

 Read more: Pursuit Spirits Announces Rebrand, New Proof Points

MORE ABOUT PURSUIT SPIRITS

Pursuit Spirits is a Louisville, Kentucky-based whiskey brand founded by the forces behind the number one bourbon podcast, Bourbon Pursuit. Rather than operating a traditional distillery, Pursuit Spirits has pioneered a modern, customized approach to blending, carefully selecting award-winning bourbon and rye barrels from multiple distilleries across the country. 

HOURS: 

Retail & Guest Experiences: Open Tuesday–Saturday | 9:30 a.m. – 6 p.m. 

Trial + Error Cocktail Lounge: Open Tuesday–Thursday | 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. Open Friday–Saturday | 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.