Kentucky Castle owner plans new $92 million Versailles whiskey distillery
Woodford County, already home to several distilleries, will be gaining another one.
Wes Henderson, who bought the Kentucky Castle in 2023 for $19 million, is planning to build a new $92.5 million distillery and tourism project at Edgewood, a 150-acre site in Versailles, according to a news release.
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Henderson, who was co-founder of Angel’s Envy Bourbon, a brand that was sold to Bacardi in 2015 for a reported $150 million, plans to develop another distillery under the name Saga Spirits Group, also known as TKC Distilling Co.
The Edgewood Industrial Site is at 328 Crossfield Dr. in Versailles.
Saga Spirits already has applied for labels for two whiskey products under the brand name True Story.
The new project, which will include a visitors center, a tasting room, lodging and a restaurant and retail space, will be about four miles from the Kentucky Castle, which is on U.S. 60 and Pisgah Pike.
Saga also plans to make improvements to the Kentucky Castle, which also includes event space, a restaurant, whiskey bar and guest rooms.
“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 Henderson, CEO of Saga Spirits Group, in the news release. “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.”
On Aug. 29, the Kentucky Tourism Development Finance Authority approved up to $4.192 million in tourism tax incentives. According to the news release, Saga Spirits in 2023 received approval for a separate $1.05 million in incentives. The distillery and tourism project is expected to create 89 jobs, paying an average hourly wage of $38.62 including benefits, according to the news release.
“People from all over the world travel to Kentucky for our bourbon, horses and hospitality, and this project from Saga Spirits will give our guests and our neighbors one more reason to visit and to fall in love with Kentucky,” said Gov. Andy Beshear in the news release. “Our home is a world-class destination with one-of-a-kind experiences, delicious food and the very best bourbon, and the offerings are continuing to grow as our tourism industry and economy thrive. Thank you to these partners for investing in our commonwealth, creating good jobs and helping us build a bright future for our new Kentucky home.”
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