Illuminating a New Era of
Kentucky Bourbon
About Us
We are illuminating a new era of Kentucky bourbon. Eastern Light is a locally owned and operated distillery being developed in the foothills of Eastern Kentucky. From our home in Morehead (Rowan County), we will help bring a new era of innovation to the state’s signature bourbon industry.
Our passion and experience in the world of whiskey production inspired us to address growing challenges in the spirits industry by marrying bourbon and entrepreneurism – two things that have helped our state flourish, and that are critical to its future.
The Distillery
We are looking east at a new day dawning for Kentucky bourbon with the introduction of Eastern Light Distilling. The exciting new venture headquartered in Morehead, Kentucky is led by seasoned bourbon industry veterans, including an internationally recognized master distiller and a senior industry executive with decades of experience managing and promoting major bourbon brands.
The 230-acre campus will be home to an approximately 50,000 square foot distillery building, rickhouses, a full bottling facility, a unique bourbon tourism experience, a special event space and other operations employing more than 50 full-time staff.
Look East
Contract Distilling Is on the Rise. What Will It Mean for Bourbon?
February 12, 2024
VinePair
Cordell Lawrence, co-founder of Eastern Light Distilling in Morehead, Ky., which is set to begin operations in 2025, says that this is the “next generation” of contract distillation. “The prior giants of the contract world have aged out, meaning they have now been able to grow to a point that it makes more monetary sense for them to focus on their consumer-facing brands and less so on contract,” he explains, pointing to examples like Wilderness Trail, which had previously contract- distilled until it was acquired by Campari last year.
Why the co-founders of Eastern Light Distilling are investing $144M in Rowan County
January 9, 2024
Louisville Business First
As Cordell Lawrence and Caleb Kilburn have set off into their next venture in the bourbon industry, the conversation inevitably turns to the following question about Eastern Light Distilling: Why build it in Rowan County? Or for that matter, why Eastern Kentucky?