Lofted Spirits, producer of Bardstown Bourbon Company and Green River Distilling Co., and a distiller of Kentucky custom contract whiskey, has broken ground on an 4,000 square-foot expansion that will nearly double the footprint of its existing bottling operation while cementing the company’s position as the nimblest independent copacker in the state. 

Lofted Spirits’ bottling operation already supports a broad customer base across distilled spirits categories including American Whiskey, Vodka, Rum, Cream Liqueur and RTD. While the facility currently processes more than 10 million bottles per year, the addition of a high-capacity, high-speed, small format line will bring capacity above 35 million bottles annually. 

With the expansion, Lofted Spirits’ capabilities include all sizes from 50mL to 1.75L with limitless customization for packages, closures and finishes.

The addition of the high-capacity, high-speed, small format line meets a need not just for bourbon, but across spirits categories as IWSR reports growing demand in convenience and impulse formats across travel retail, sampling, and value channels.

“This expansion is about building long-term capability for our customers—more capacity, more speed, and even more flexibility—while maintaining the highest quality standard in the industry,” Mark Erwin, CEO, Lofted Spirits, said in a news release shared by the Kentucky Distillers’ Association. “Our commitment to our customers is unwavering.  We were built as a contract manufacturing facility and we continue to demonstrate our dedication to supporting the ambitions of our customers as a grain to glass one-stop-shop for all of their production and bottling needs. While many organizations are pulling back, we are investing to meet the moment and help our customers grow.”

The company is the only independent co-packer in the state to meet the standards of international quality and food safety systems including ISO 9001 and FSSC 22000, a distinction held by a small set of operations globally. 

“With this expansion, we are one of the few independent co-packers that handle large format, large volume orders with precision, while maintaining the care and attention to detail that also allows us to produce high-touch small runs,” Justin Willett, VP Operations, said. “While the equipment is important, the team’s integrity and deep bench of expertise is what truly delivers for our customers.” 

Earlier this year, Lofted Spirits announced their Alternating Proprietorship program, which allows brands across spirits categories process at the Bardstown facility using their own DSP license and take advantage of significantly reduced excise tax rates through the Craft Beverage Modernization Act (CMBA). 

Lofted Spirits’ bottling operation currently employs 80 team members and expects to add an additional 5-6 roles as the facility scales. The 4,000-square-foot expansion represents a multi-million dollar investment and reinforces Lofted Spirits’ long-term commitment to Bardstown and the broader Kentucky spirits community. Together, with a portfolio of growing brands and experiences, the investment reinforces Lofted Spirits’ ambition to lead the next decade of American Whiskey production and bottling.

Construction is currently under way, and the expanded operation is expected to be fully operational early Q2 2026. Design and engineering for the expanded facility is led by the internal team at Lofted Spirits. Construction is currently under way by industry-experts Buzick Construction. 

Read more: Misunderstood Brands Partners with Lofted Spirits

ABOUT LOFTED SPIRITS

Expanding on the work started by Peter Loftin in 2016, Lofted Spirits pioneered an approach to custom contract distillation while developing some of the fastest growing brands in American Whiskey, Bardstown Bourbon and Green River. Lofted Spirits joined the Pritzker Private Capital family of companies in 2022. Learn more at http://loftedspirits.com/.