Joined by several rosy-cheeked friends, family and local officials, Peg Hays and AJ Jones officially cut the ribbon on their $2 million plus investment in Christian County Thursday afternoon — fully revealing the inner-workings of an expansion that includes a new guesthouse, rickhouse and stillhouse for Casey Jones Distillery.
Thanks to “two swanky new stills” and enough room for more than 3,200 53-gallon rollers, Peg said the plan is to be a part of Kentucky’s annual 12-million-barrel bourbon economy one cask at a time, and as the best west Kentucky can offer.
She lauded Planters Bank for “believing in the project,” because to her it means more than money. The business and the music and the food trucks and the bourbon means fun and contributions to the community.
It means family. It means a dream.
Speaking of mash, AJ said everything has been running smooth so far — the soft run of distilling crooning in the background as he spoke.
Cody Turner, who has become a business partner in the last couple of years, noted the vision of mass production has certainly changed for Peg and AJ in this last decade.
Eight years ago, there were more humble beginnings.
Carter Hendricks, executive director of the South Western Kentucky Economic Development Council, said the timing couldn’t have been more fitting for a ribbon cutting — with bourbon leading up to the 149th Kentucky Derby.
This decision, he added, smells like money, tourism, economy and jobs.
Taylor Hays, president for the Christian County Chamber of Commerce, urged that Peg and AJ were visionaries that knew how to look “through the lens for success.”
Just before the ribbon was clipped, the gallery raised glasses, and many took a single shot of 108-proof, three-year bourbon — locally and artfully crafted in Christian County.
Located at 2815 Witty Lane outside of Hopkinsville, they’re open 10 AM until 6 PM Monday through Thursday, 10 AM until 8 PM on Fridays and Saturdays, and from 1-6 PM on Sundays.
For more information, one can phone them at (270) 839-9987, or visit online at caseyjonesdistillery.com.
