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Diageo Welcomes Visitors To Historic Distillery

A Louisville-area distillery with ties to historic brands and bourbon barons is joining the Kentucky Bourbon Trail.  

Liquor giant Diageo said Monday it will open a visitors' center at Stitzel-Weller. Diageo is investing more than $10 million in the distillery, including a new bottling line and a craft still. Kentucky Distillers' Association President Eric Gregory calls it "one of the true cathedrals of American whiskey." 

The Bulleit Frontier Whiskey Experience at Stitzel-Weller becomes the ninth stop on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. Last year, more than 630,000 people visited the state's distilleries. Stitzel-Weller opened in 1935. It was home to such brands as Old Fitzgerald and Rebel Yell. The distillery was run by Julian "Pappy" Van Winkle Sr. Whiskey production ended years ago at the site, which has been used for whiskey storage.