MOREHEAD, KY., (May 28, 2025) – Eastern Light Distilling, a locally-owned and operated distillery under development in the foothills of Eastern Kentucky, has selected Lexington-based construction industry leader Gray to build its new state-of-the-art distillery in Morehead, Kentucky. The 230-acre distillery – a future homeplace for craft makers and non-distilling producers – will bring the state’s signature Bourbon industry to Eastern Kentucky like never before.
Eastern Light has partnered with Gray Ohio Valley to execute the construction of their impressive 50,000 square foot distillery anchored by a 54-inch column still. Designed to produce more than 100,000 barrels annually, the facility will support Eastern Light’s diverse portfolio of craft clients with fully customizable, innovative production capabilities. With its deep regional roots in Appalachia, Eastern Light embodies artisanal craftsmanship drawing from its local water source and raw materials, a unique microclimate and nearby cooperage for customized barrels.
“Gray’s deep Kentucky roots coupled with Eastern Light’s commitment to radical transparency and community support made this partnership a clear choice to deliver our vision for what’s possible in the world of Bourbon,” said Cordell Lawrence, CEO and co-founder of Eastern Light Distilling. “We are honored to collaborate with an organization as beloved locally and recognized globally as Gray. Their expertise and portfolio of services will be instrumental in developing our cutting-edge distillery.”
Founded in 1960 and headquartered in nearby Lexington, Gray is a family-owned, fully integrated service provider with deep experience in engineering, architecture, and construction. Recognized for delivering some of the industry’s most advanced distilleries, Gray has partnered with major companies around the globe, and now, Eastern Light Distilling, to build world-class facilities that drive growth and innovation.
“We’re honored to partner with Eastern Light, whose mission and regional commitment strongly align with our own,” said Steve Summers, President of Gray Ohio Valley. “Together, we’re building more than a distillery—we’re helping establish a new chapter for Bourbon in Eastern Kentucky.”
Since breaking ground in July 2024, Eastern Light has leveraged the expertise of Gray and other well-known service providers, including Joseph & Joseph Architects, for design and custom-build facility construction. The state-of-the-art distillery will also feature proprietary processes and new technologies, making Eastern Light the leader in innovation and cost efficiency within the Bourbon industry. The facility is on track to be completed by early 2026.
“As the launch of Eastern Light marks my return home to Eastern Kentucky, an agricultural hub with unmatched, pristine resources, I feel so grateful to have already received a tremendous outpouring of support from the community, including from our partners” said Caleb Kilburn, Master Distiller and co-founder of Eastern Light Distilling. “We’re thrilled to collaborate with likeminded businesses such as Gray to celebrate the rich history, culture and resources of the region by bringing Kentucky’s signature industry to Morehead.”
About Eastern Light Distilling
Eastern Light Distilling is a locally owned and operated distillery under development in the foothills of Eastern Kentucky. Touting pillars of craftsmanship, community and transparency, Eastern Light delivers an innovative concept that supports the craft Bourbon industry like never before. Partnering with Eastern Light allows craft makers to claim the distillery as their own unique homeplace, with unparallelled access to a state-of-the-art facility and world-renowned Master Distiller of the Year. For more information, visit www.EasternLight.com.
About Gray
Gray is a family-owned, fully integrated global service provider specializing in engineering, architecture, construction, digital & automation, specialty equipment manufacturing, and real estate services. Deeply rooted as one cohesive team in EAC services, Gray serves both domestic and international customers across core markets including Manufacturing, Food & Beverage, Data Centers, Advanced Technology, Distribution, and Commercial. For more information on Gray, visit gray.com.
