MIDWAY, Ky. — Bluegrass Distillers is giving bourbon enthusiasts another way to get closer to its whiskey-making operation at historic Elkwood Farm with the launch of a new quarterly bottle club.
The Midway distillery has opened membership in the Bluegrass Distillers Bottle Club, a program combining quarterly bottles with early access to select releases, complimentary tours, monthly pours and other benefits at the distillery.
Members will receive one selected Bluegrass Distillers bottle each quarter, for a total of four bottles annually. But the program is designed to go beyond simply picking up another bottle of bourbon.
Membership includes early and exclusive access to select Bluegrass Distillers releases, four complimentary distillery tours annually, discounts on purchases at the property and one complimentary member pour at Elkwood Farm each calendar month.
Members also will be invited to a virtual Bottle Club gathering each quarter centered on that quarter’s whiskey selection. The online sessions will give members an opportunity to learn more about individual releases, hear directly from the Bluegrass Distillers team and provide feedback about the club and its whiskey.
“We want Bottle Club members to feel like they’re part of what we’re building at Bluegrass Distillers,” said Maggie Young, director of marketing and distribution. “This is about more than receiving a bottle each quarter. We want to create a community that stays connected to our whiskey, our team and what’s happening at Elkwood Farm.”
The distillery said additional benefits and member experiences could be introduced as the program develops.
That evolving approach could make the club particularly interesting for Bluegrass Distillers followers because the company isn’t positioning it solely as a recurring bottle program. Instead, it is designed to encourage members to return to Elkwood Farm and maintain a year-round connection with the distillery.
Distillery membership programs have become another way for whiskey producers to establish direct relationships with their most enthusiastic customers. For consumers, the appeal can extend beyond the whiskey itself, with access to limited releases, special tastings, distillery events and opportunities to interact with distillers and brand representatives.
Bluegrass Distillers is leaning into that model by tying Bottle Club membership directly to its Midway home.
A member who takes advantage of the complimentary monthly pour could visit Elkwood Farm throughout the year, while four complimentary tours provide additional opportunities to experience the property or bring guests.
Early and exclusive bottle access could be another significant benefit for collectors and enthusiasts, particularly as Bluegrass Distillers continues developing releases from its Elkwood Farm operation. The company did not identify specific future limited releases that will be offered through the club, saying members will receive early and exclusive access to select releases.
Founded in 2012, Bluegrass Distillers produces small-batch Kentucky bourbon with an emphasis on grain, craftsmanship and Kentucky character.
Its home at historic Elkwood Farm gives the distillery a distinctive setting in Kentucky bourbon country. The property serves as an active field-to-glass distillery as well as a visitor destination.
Bluegrass Distillers currently offers guided tours and tastings, cocktail experiences and special events at the property. Elkwood Farm also features a walk-in distillery bar and gift shop, with programming incorporating the history and character of the farm.
The new Bottle Club adds a membership component to that visitor experience. Rather than interacting with customers only when they visit for a tour or purchase a bottle, the quarterly structure gives Bluegrass Distillers a way to maintain that relationship throughout the year while creating a built-in audience for future releases and experiences.
One of the more interesting aspects of the program is the combination of physical and virtual experiences. The quarterly bottle provides the foundation of the membership, but members don’t necessarily have to wait until their next trip to Midway to participate.
Each quarterly virtual gathering will focus on the corresponding Bottle Club release, allowing members to learn more about the whiskey and communicate directly with the distillery team. Bluegrass Distillers said it also intends to use the gatherings to hear members’ feedback and ideas, allowing the club to evolve as it grows.
The distillery has not announced which bottles will make up the first full year of quarterly selections. It also did not include membership pricing in its announcement.
Membership in the Bluegrass Distillers Bottle Club is now open.
For additional information or to join the Bluegrass Distillers Bottle Club, visit club.bluegrassdistillers.com
About Bluegrass Distillers
Founded in 2012, Bluegrass Distillers is a Kentucky bourbon distillery located at historic Elkwood Farm in Midway, Kentucky. Bluegrass Distillers produces small-batch Kentucky bourbon with a focus on grain, craftsmanship and distinctly Kentucky character while welcoming visitors to experience the bourbon-making process at its Midway home.
