About
Jefferson’s Bourbon’s new Lebanon distillery is being developed as the brand’s next big Kentucky home, bringing its modern, curiosity-driven identity into a purpose-built campus designed for both production and visitors. Set in Marion County near the heart of bourbon country, this site is positioned to expand Jefferson’s footprint beyond its current home base, with room to scale distilling and aging while creating a future-facing place for travelers to experience the brand in person. Even before opening, the story is compelling because it is not just “a new building,” it is the next chapter for a bourbon label known for exploring flavor through blending, finishing, and creative aging ideas, now translated into a larger, dedicated Kentucky destination.
History
Jefferson’s Bourbon was founded in 1997 by Trey Zoeller and his father, Chet Zoeller, and the brand built its reputation by honoring tradition while staying willing to experiment through blending, finishing, and thoughtful barrel selection. A major modern milestone came in 2019, when Jefferson’s joined the Pernod Ricard portfolio through Pernod Ricard’s acquisition of Castle Brands, bringing the label into a global spirits family while keeping Trey Zoeller closely tied to the brand’s direction. The new Lebanon project represents Jefferson’s biggest Kentucky expansion yet and reflects that next chapter. A purpose-built campus in Marion County designed to establish long-term distilling and aging capacity and to become a future visitor destination in the heart of bourbon country. Public announcements have framed the Lebanon build as a major, multi-year investment, pairing a new production facility with significant whiskey infrastructure and a planned visitor center, while also emphasizing sustainability goals intended to reduce environmental impact as the site comes online.
Notoriety
Jefferson’s is widely known for a modern bourbon identity that leans into exploration, and the new Lebanon site is notable because it turns that brand philosophy into a bigger, more permanent Kentucky home. For many bourbon fans, Jefferson’s Ocean is the headline concept that made the brand instantly recognizable, but the deeper notoriety is the way Jefferson’s consistently plays in the space of finishes, wood influence, and blending decisions that create distinctive flavor arcs. The new Lebanon campus matters because it is designed to support growth in production and aging while also becoming a future visitor destination in a region already rich with bourbon travel. In other words, it is not just a new distillery, it is the brand planting a flag in Marion County with the intention of becoming a meaningful stop for travelers once tours, tastings, and on-site hospitality are officially introduced.
experiences
Cocktail Classes
Duration:
N/A
Price:
N/A
At this time, the distillery does not offer any cocktail classes.
Tours & Tastings
Duration:
N/A
Price:
N/A
At this time, the distillery does not offer any tours or tastings.
amenities
Cocktail Bar
Event Spaces
Gift Shop
Special Events
nearby
Distilleries
Limestone Branch Distillery
Maker’s Mark Distillery
Potter Jane Distillery
Things To Do
Kentucky Cooperage
Kentucky Classic Arts at Centre Square
Fagan Branch Lake
Food & Drink
Rosewood Bar & Grill
Good Buddies Brewing Co.
Shelby’s Pub
Stay
Spirit on Main
Wildflower Ranch Inn
Maple Hill Manor Bed & Breakfast