FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wenzel Distillery Celebrates Grand Opening of Expanded Facility with Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
Award-winning bourbon distillery expands and moves to an historic and restored Packard Auto building, marking the first bourbon production facility in Covington since Prohibition.
COVINGTON, KY – July 15, 2025 – Wenzel Distillery, Kentucky's award-winning bourbon producer, will host a ribbon cutting ceremony for its newly expanded facility on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, at 12:00 PM. The ceremony will take place at the distillery's new location at 412 Madison Avenue in Covington, housed in a beautifully restored historic Packard Auto facility built in 1916.
The ribbon cutting will be followed by a tasting event and happy hour, giving attendees the opportunity to sample Wenzel's acclaimed bourbon lineup while touring the new facility. Distinguished speakers include Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, MeetNKY CDME Julie Kirkpatrick, Kentucky Distillers Association Vice-President Colleen Thomas, Covington’s Mayor Ron Washington, and Wenzel Co-Founder Austin Dunbar.
Since its 2022 launch next door in the historic Wenzel Hall, Wenzel Distillery has rapidly gained recognition in the bourbon industry, earning numerous prestigious awards. Most notably, the distillery was honored with Best Finished Bourbon in the World 2025 by the World Whiskies Awards for its Sherry Cask Finished. Additional accolades include Double Gold and category finalist recognition for their Barrel Proof Rye at the San Francisco Spirit Awards, and Gold medals at both competitions for their Barrel Proof Wheated Bourbon.
The new facility represents a significant milestone for Wenzel Distillery and the City of Covington. As the first bourbon distillery to operate in Covington since before Prohibition, Wenzel has secured its place on both the Kentucky Bourbon Trail and the B-Line, further establishing the region's bourbon heritage. "This expansion represents not just our growth as a distillery, but our commitment to bringing bourbon production back to Covington," said Austin Dunbar, Co-Founder of Wenzel Distillery. "We're honored to bring our distilling heritage back to our community and to contribute to Kentucky's rich bourbon legacy." The expanded facility features a comprehensive bourbon experience including a new gift shop, production distillery, bar, and event space. With the capacity to produce approximately 700 barrels per year, the new location will significantly increase Wenzel's production capabilities while maintaining the craftsmanship and quality that has earned the distillery its award-winning reputation. The historic building renovation preserves the architectural character of the century-old structure while incorporating modern distilling equipment and visitor amenities. The facility will serve both as a working distillery and a destination for bourbon enthusiasts visiting the Kentucky Bourbon Trail.
About Wenzel Distillery: Founded in 2022, Wenzel Distillery is an award-winning bourbon producer based in Covington, Kentucky. The distillery has quickly established itself as a notable contributor in craft bourbon production, earning recognition including 2025’s Best Finished Bourbon in the World by World Whiskies Awards. Wenzel is the first bourbon distillery to operate in Covington since before Prohibition and is featured on both the Kentucky Bourbon Trail and the B-Line. The distillery is committed to producing exceptional bourbon while honoring Kentucky's rich distilling heritage.
EVENT DETAILS
Wenzel Distillery Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
Wednesday, July 30, 2025, at 12:00 PM
412 Madison Avenue, Covington, KY
Open to media and invited guests
MEDIA CONTACT
Bill Whitlow
Wenzel Distillery
Bill@WenzelWhiskey.com
412 Madison Avenue Covington, KY 41011