Announcing 3 New & Unique Bourbon Distilleries Opening in 2026
- Pegasus
- Dec 31, 2025
- 4 min read
Updated: Jan 2
In 2026, Kentucky's bourbon industry will see several developments: The Ingram Distillery will open its floating barrelhouses for tours in April; Horse Soldier Bourbon plans to launch a large distillery and entertainment complex around July 4th; and Cave City Distilling will debut its full-scale facility.
You already know about the Kentucky Bourbon Trail™ which brings thousands of visitors a year to the area and is one of the main reasons that the bourbon tourism industry is growing.
Due to booming demand, Kentucky's bourbon production has seen massive growth, and new distilleries are expanding the Bourbon Trail® for enthusiasts.
Tourists on the Trail will love these new distilleries because they are designed not just for spirits but for immersive experiences, including tours, events, and unique aging methods like Ingram's river aging.
Let’s check them out!
The Ingram Distillery
Location: Columbus, KY
Website: https://ingramwhiskey.com/
Watch their video.
The Ingram Distillery will be opening its doors in April 2026 to offer tours of the nation's only floating barrelhouses, featuring river aging experiences. The Ingram Distillery produces the only whiskey in the world aged inside a floating barrelhouse on the Mississippi River. Here, their whiskies are exposed to the constant motion of the river along with its intense humidity and microclimate. This has a profound effect on the spirit and produces an extraordinary final product.
There is nothing mundane, boring, or typical about their bourbon. Where else can you find Green River’s take on MGP combined with aging in a similar manner to the early years of bourbon distilling? The storyline is interesting, but even without it, the bourbon is simply excellent.
Sample Their Bourbon:
O.H. Flagship Bourbon: Their Flagship Bourbon is their signature expression. It is an annual limited release consisting of our finest barrels of the year and showcases their bourbon at its best. Flagship is a term reserved for the most impressive vessel in a fleet. This is an expression worthy of that title. Their flagship comes to market early fall each year. Where you can find it.
Horse Soldier Bourbon Distillery
Location: Lake Cumberland, KY
Website: https://horsesoldierbourbon.com/
Watch their video.
A significant new distillery and entertainment complex, including an amphitheater and adventure center, aiming for a July 4, 2026 opening to coincide with America's 250th anniversary. The story behind Horse Soldier Bourbon is that upon retiring from the military, this band of brothers traveled the world and discovered a passion for making bourbon. From that experience, they determined their legacy would be to create a product that infuses patriotism with one of Kentucky’s signature industries. Coming home to make bourbon in Kentucky, where their military story began training on the banks of the Cumberland River, would be the next chapter.
They are impressive when it comes to making spirits. All their products have been awarded with outstanding accolades in international spirits competitions, solidifying their legacy in a bottle. And to make their story even more interesting, every bottle of Horse Soldier Bourbon has been pressed by steel recovered from the twin towers. After 9/11, the New York City Port Authority donated steel recovered from the World Trade Center to Horse Soldier Bourbon. Horse Soldier Bourbon bottles are formed in molds of this steel to honor the spirit of resilience and service that arose after the attack on our nation.
Sample Their Bourbon:
Horse Soldier Premium Barrel Strength Bourbon Whiskey: Their award-winning Reserve Barrel Strength Bourbon Whiskey is extraordinarily complex with notes of butterscotch, oak, and stone fruits. This barrel strength “wheated” bourbon is made from small batches of meticulously blended mature bourbon and non-chill filtered to provide a full-bodied and decadent finish. Where to find it.
Cave City Distilling
Location: Near Mammoth Cave, KY
Website: https://cavecitydistilling.com/
Cave City Distilling plans to bring full-scale production and a tasting experience to the area in 2026, becoming part of a new bourbon tourism hub. Cave City Distilling Company (formerly Balance Distilling Company) is an award-winning family farm distillery located in Cave City, KY. The operation started in Smiths Grove, Kentucky, in 2020 and is proudly veteran-owned and operated. Cave City Distilling Company distills moonshine, gin, whiskey, and one of the only rums made 100% in Kentucky. They are the producers of the legacy brand Mammoth Cave Bourbon Whiskey, which dates back to 1869. The distillery’s new location is set to open for tours, tasting, and full-scale production in 2026.
There isn't a lot of information out their yet about the distillery but you can sign up here to keep up with this new experience.
Sample Their Bourbon:
The name says it all! Bourbon & Bounce is a delicious combination of American bourbon and Cherry Bounce, an historic spiced cherry liqueur made from Michigan tart cherries. The full-bodied, oaky bourbon is uplifted by the luscious Michigan cherries and spices, resulting in a mixture that is complex enough to enjoy by itself over ice, yet versatile enough to be used as a spirit in most any whiskey cocktail for a creative twist. Where to find it.
Conclusion
There seems no end in sight for the Kentucky bourbon industry. Keep an eye on Kentucky's Bourbon Trail™ announcements, as it continues its significant expansion!
DID YOU KNOW?
Pegasus Tours offers both private and group bourbon tours! And they have special rates with The Galt House Hotel.
Note: This blog is for informational purposes only and does not represent any endorsement by Pegasus.
Pegasus is an Official Partner
Only Pegasus offers an unmatched blend of luxury and elegance in chauffeured & chartered services, personalized tours, and exclusive Kentucky Bourbon Trail's™ distillery experiences, all backed by 5-star reviews. We excel in providing top-tier transportation for distinguished events like Bourbon and Beyond, Kentucky Bourbon Festival, and Louder Than Life, ensuring a memorable journey every time.