The farmlands in southern Nelson County, just outside the city of New Haven, are now home to Kentucky’s newest distillery. But the land, and the family behind it, are no stranger to bourbon.Wally Dant describes it as “hallowed ground.” It was his 3x great grandfather that used a poplar log to first make the spirit back in 1836.”The first Dant, Joseph Washington Dant, began distilling bourbon in 1836, used pioneer ingenuity to hollow out a poplar log and began to make bourbon in that poplar log. And hence, ‘Log Still’ chose that name because we wanted to pay homage to him and our forefathers that have gone before us in making the Dant family big in the bourbon business,” Wally Dant told the crowd Tuesday.Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, who was on hand for a ribbon-cutting as the tasting room was unveiled, said the bourbon business is booming.”I believe every day of these next several years is going to be special. It’s going to be unprecedented and it’s going to bring true prosperity to our people here in Nelson County and in Kentucky,” Beshear said.In fact, in the next year, an events venue, an amphitheater, and a restaurant are all planned on the 300-acre campus. That, according to Beshear, points to the fact Kentucky’s tourism industry, which slumped during the pandemic, is back on track.”The ribbon cutting today is not only wonderful for this family and this dream but is the next example of a wave of positive economic news we are seeing across Kentucky,” he said.The project brings with it an expected 146 full-time jobs, with 36 million in total investment. And according to Wally Dant, it brings one family home.”It is very humbling to be here and be standing before you and be able to say the Dants are back in the bourbon business again,” he said.The tasting room officially opens to the public next week and both bourbon and gin will be available. A bed and breakfast on the property has already opened.
NELSON COUNTY, Ky. —
The farmlands in southern Nelson County, just outside the city of New Haven, are now home to Kentucky’s newest distillery. But the land, and the family behind it, are no stranger to bourbon.
Wally Dant describes it as “hallowed ground.” It was his 3x great grandfather that used a poplar log to first make the spirit back in 1836.
“The first Dant, Joseph Washington Dant, began distilling bourbon in 1836, used pioneer ingenuity to hollow out a poplar log and began to make bourbon in that poplar log. And hence, ‘Log Still’ chose that name because we wanted to pay homage to him and our forefathers that have gone before us in making the Dant family big in the bourbon business,” Wally Dant told the crowd Tuesday.
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, who was on hand for a ribbon-cutting as the tasting room was unveiled, said the bourbon business is booming.
“I believe every day of these next several years is going to be special. It’s going to be unprecedented and it’s going to bring true prosperity to our people here in Nelson County and in Kentucky,” Beshear said.
In fact, in the next year, an events venue, an amphitheater, and a restaurant are all planned on the 300-acre campus. That, according to Beshear, points to the fact Kentucky’s tourism industry, which slumped during the pandemic, is back on track.
“The ribbon cutting today is not only wonderful for this family and this dream but is the next example of a wave of positive economic news we are seeing across Kentucky,” he said.
The project brings with it an expected 146 full-time jobs, with 36 million in total investment. And according to Wally Dant, it brings one family home.
“It is very humbling to be here and be standing before you and be able to say the Dants are back in the bourbon business again,” he said.
The tasting room officially opens to the public next week and both bourbon and gin will be available. A bed and breakfast on the property has already opened.
Originally Appeared On: https://www.wlky.com/article/kentuckys-newest-distillery-unveils-tasting-room/36399396