BIG NEWS in Bourbon Country – to the tune of $92.5 million!!!…A press release from Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear’s office announced colossal plans for a 150 acre whiskey themed production and hospitality site at Edgewood in Woodford County (Versailles). The vision includes:

• Distillery
• Interactive Visitor Center
• Tasting Room’
• Unique Lodging
• Restaurant
• Retail and Event Space

Who’s Behind It? Saga Spirits Group. The charge is being lead by a familiar name – Wes Henderson. Wes is the CEO and founder of Saga Spirits Group as he and his father Lincoln Henderson (Bourbon Legend) founded Angel’s Envy. The company sold to Bacardi for an undisclosed amount.

“It has been a huge blessing to be members of the Kentucky bourbon industry for many generations. To begin this next chapter for the Henderson family, we have chosen Versailles and Woodford County. We are humbled and honored by the support we are receiving from government officials, tourism development, businesses and residents,” said Wes Henderson, CEO of Saga Spirits Group. “We are also looking forward to the groundbreaking this fall. Our team is composed of experts in distilling, distilling finance, supply chain and logistics, marketing, packaging and hospitality, with combined expertise of more than a century of success in the industry. Wonderful things are ahead for us and the entire community.”

Saga Spirits Group will also be making improvements to The Kentucky Castle, an iconic hotel and venue located four miles away in Versailles, catering to visitors exploring the Kentucky Bourbon Trail and Keeneland Racecourse in Lexington with its premium guest rooms, restaurant, whiskey bar and event space. Once operational, this project is expected to create 89 jobs, providing a sizable economic boost to the region.

Upon the recommendation of the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet, Saga Spirits Group received approval from the Kentucky Tourism Development Finance Authority for incentives totaling $4.192 million based on tourism investments of $35.4 million. Once operational, the tourism project anticipates generating 46 full-time jobs. 

The Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority (KEDFA) approved a 10-year incentive agreement with Saga Spirits Group under the Kentucky Business Investment program. This can provide up to $750,000 in tax incentives, based on the company’s investment of over $57.1 million, the release states.

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