The Kentucky Distillers’ Association announced Bespoken Spirits in Lexington is the newest member of the nonprofit trade group that unites and leads Kentucky’s signature bourbon and distilled spirits industry.
Founded by Stuart Aaron and Martin Janousek, Bespoken began production at its California headquarters in 2019. They relocated their headquarters and production facility to Kentucky – the birthplace of bourbon and epicenter of American whiskey – earlier this year.
Derek Jeter, the Baseball Hall of Fame shortstop from the New York Yankees, and T.J. Rodgers, renowned Silicon Valley scientist and entrepreneur, joined early efforts as investors, supporting the distillery’s passion for innovation with a strong focus on sustainability.
The facility at 101 W Louden Ave. in Lexington’s Greyline Station features an 8-gallon pot still, a tasting room, gift shop, and a custom blending experience. With capacity for 85,000 proof gallons a year, the distillery will begin welcoming guests for tours this summer.
Scott Savage, Chief Operating Officer shared, “Joining the Kentucky Distillers’ Association is an honor for our burgeoning business. We look forward to learning from the best and joining their research and efforts around the future of sustainable distilling.”
Bespoken Spirits’ brands include a high-rye barrel-aged Bourbon, Rye Whiskey, and a twice-toasted American Whiskey. Learn more about Bespoken, its history, mission and its brands at https://www.bespokenspirits.com.
KDA President Eric Gregory welcomed Bespoken to Kentucky and the KDA and applauded the company for its focus on sustainability. “In Kentucky, the only thing we take more seriously than our whiskey is our commitment to responsibility and sustainability.
“Kentucky remains the undisputed home for bourbon and American whiskey because of our pure limestone water, fertile soil for growing corn and four distinct climates that help age our mellow amber nectar to perfection.”
“As we are dependent on our natural resources, we must continue to be good stewards of the environment and continue to explore and innovate for a sustainable future,” Gregory said. “Cheers to Bespoken, and welcome to our growing family of Kentucky’s finest distilleries.”
Gregory also thanked the City of Lexington for welcoming Bespoken into the Bluegrass State and celebrating their recent grand opening, which created an initial 16 new jobs for the company with more on the way.
With the addition of Bespoken, Fayette County now boasts eight distilleries that have created more than 1,600 bourbon careers with $108 million in payroll. Each year, distilling in Lexington generates about $325 million in economic impact and more than $12 million in local and state taxes.
From a regional standpoint, Fayette and its surrounding counties have 25 distilleries responsible for more than 5,000 jobs and a $404 million payroll. Annual economic impact is $2.3 billion and over $50 million in local and state tax revenue.
The Bluegrass region also welcomes more than 600,000 visitors to the KDA’s famous Kentucky Bourbon Trail® tour each year, pouring even more money into local hotels, restaurants, shops and government coffers.
“Bourbon Builds Kentucky, and it’s great to see Lexington’s distillery base continue to expand.,” Gregory said. “With another opportunity for tourism, the heart of Bourbonland is creating more reasons for visitors to spend more time and money in our state.”
Bespoken Spirits joins the KDA as a “Craft” level member, aging between 1 and 10,000 barrels per year. Visit the KDA and its Kentucky Bourbon Trail adventure at www.kybourbon.com and www.kybourbontrail.com.