LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Kentucky Bourbon industry is continuing to grow barrel by barrel. Reports from the Kentucky Distillers’ Association show that in 2021 there were 95 establishments in 40 counties, employing nearly 6,000 people.
What You Need To Know
- Neat Bourbon Bar and Bottle Shop is the latest in Kentucky's bourbon boom
- Kentucky's bourbon industry is worth nearly $9 billion
- The Kentucky Bourbon Trail also announced a 160% increase in total tour attendance since 2020
Neat Bourbon Bar and Bottle Shop on Bardstown Road in Louisville wanted to be a part of the global demand by making drinks that take you back in time.
“We wanted it to really feel nostalgic for people who have been drinking bourbon for a really long time, or they have a connection to bourbon through an old family member and they have memories of that,” said Danielle Elder, co-owner of Neat Bourbon Bar and Bottle Shop.
Neat co-owners, Danielle Elder and Owen Powell, wanted to create a place that inspired a “vintage feel” with a sip of history.
“So the Kentucky Vintage Spirits Law allows us to buy any bottle of bourbon that's not available through the distributors so for most people that means things that they've found in their grandparents basement,” Elder said.
They've opened their doors right in the midst of a "bourbon boom." The Kentucky Distillers’ Association estimates the total annual economic impact of the distilling industry is $8.94 billion, featuring 22,540 jobs and an annual payroll of $1.23 billion.
The Kentucky Bourbon Trail also saw a 160% increase in total attendance since 2020.
The pandemic caused concern for business, but ultimately most businesses came out stronger than ever.
“During the pandemic, there was a lot of concern with a lot of different industries that consumer demand would go down. But actually with Kentucky bourbon distilled spirits we actually saw the demand go up,” said Colleen Thomas, senior director of marketing and member services of Kentucky Distillers’ Association. “Their tours were booked, not just booked a couple days in advance, but three months in advance and that hasn't stopped.”
Neat is adding to that global demand with the ultimate goal of exposing Bardstown Road to something one-of-a-kind.
“Bringing something to the neighborhood that wasn’t already here. We got a lot of feedback from everybody that lives in a street from here, walking by, saying that they were so excited for us to be here,” Powell said.
Behind Neat Bourbon Bar and Bottle Shop, there are 12 Airbnb units that can host 66 guests through Bungalou.