History was made this morning as the first barrel from the new $200 million Heaven Hill Springs Distillery was filled. Dozens of people — from media to staff — gathered to witness the momentous occasion, as it signified the first time Heaven Hill distilled in Bardstown since the devastating fire at its original distillery in 1996.

“Filling this first barrel is both a homecoming and a major step into the future of Heaven Hill,” said Allan Latts, co-president of Heaven Hill Brands, during the presentation. “This $200 million investment is our view of the future of Kentucky bourbon.”

He shared that the new distillery will be producing about 150,000 per year but has the potential to make 450,000 annually. Heaven Hill continues to distill at its Bernheim Distillery in west Louisville as well.

In line with the family-owned company’s 2030 Environmental Sustainability Strategy, the design of Heaven Hill Springs reflects the company’s dedication to play a role in forming a more eco-conscious bourbon industry.

“Everybody has brought their A-game to this new distillery,” said Conor O’Driscoll, Heaven Hill master distiller. “It reflects where we’ve come from and where we’re going.” He then toasted to Charlie Downs, Master Distiller Emeritus, who has worked at every Heaven Hill distillery since its founding in 1935.

Downs even worked at this new one last week for three days, he told me. Proof that you can take the man out of the distillery but not the distillery out of the man.

The distillery will officially open to the public in September. But for now, the 60-foot-tall Vendome-made copper still will be churning out bourbon for future generations.