Augusta Distillery, located in the small town of Augusta along the Ohio River, began operations in 2018. With a population of about 1,100, this rural area is less than an hour southeast of Cincinnati. My wife often reminds me that George Clooney grew up here, though I’m not sure why she finds that fact interesting. In June 2022, Augusta broke ground on a remarkable $23 million distillery within the historic F. A. Neider building, which dates back to 1883. When I stepped inside, I was amazed; this was our 40th unique distillery stop, and it turned out to be the most delightful surprise yet.
I admire their vision for the bar and tasting area, the upcoming lounge on the second floor, and the outdoor entertainment space, which includes seating, a bar, pickleball courts, a music stage, and an area for food trucks. This outdoor space opened just a few months after our visit in June 2024. Additionally, construction of the production facilities was well underway, with plans to start distilling in a 40,000-square-foot facility. Production has since begun, starting at 6,000 barrels per year and quickly ramping up to 14,000 barrels.
During our visit, we were warmly welcomed by Nick Burns, the Customer Experience Manager. The distillery buzzed with energy that Saturday afternoon, with two groups engaged in tastings, patrons lining the bar for craft cocktails, and others enjoying conversations in the spacious interior. Nick provided an impressive private tour of the ongoing construction, showcasing both his personality and expertise. They had already installed the cookers and fermenters, along with the first of two 32.5-foot-tall Vendome column stills.
Augusta Distillery is more than just historic buildings and impressive engineering; they produce exceptional bourbon. Their Buckner’s 13-Year Bourbon was named the World’s Best Bourbon at the 2023 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, while Buckner’s 15-Year Bourbon won Best in Class at the American Distilling Institute Spirits Competitions in 2023. Additionally, Buckner’s 10-Year and Old Route 8 have received notable Double Gold, Gold, and Silver awards from competitions in San Francisco, New York, and Denver.
My wife and I are eager to return this spring, planning to make a day of it by booking a room at the Augusta Guest House or one of the many short-term rentals available due to the new tourism generated by the distillery. I can’t wait to see the progress and enjoy the fruits of their vision.
For those seeking more urban conveniences, consider spending the morning in Augusta, then taking the short one-hour drive back to Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky to visit New Riff or Boone County before enjoying dinner at one of the many fine dining establishments in the area.
Augusta Distillery is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays but is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on all other days. They offer production tours that conclude with a tasting. Don’t miss their Rolling on the River experience, offered once a month, where you can learn to roll your own cigars while sipping bourbon. You may also be interested in participating in a private barrel selection experience, where you can bring up to nine friends, select your barrel, and have it bottled with a custom side label. That may just be the ultimate Kentucky bourbon experience.
Mark Meade is the author of The Bourbon Journey, a travel guide that highlights our iconic bourbon distilleries and the experience of bourbon tourism. This column serves as a natural extension of the book. All rights reserved. For questions or comments, contact the author at [email protected].
