New state-of-the-art $200 million destination distillery officially opens in Somerset with ribbon cutting, PBR competition, country music performances, fireworks and thousands of guests celebrating America’s 250th birthday
Release courtesy of Horse Soldier Bourbon / Curich Weiss
Horse Soldier Bourbon officially celebrated the grand opening of Horse Soldier Farms, its new $200 million destination distillery and hospitality campus, with a multi-day Independence Day celebration that welcomed thousands of visitors to Somerset for the property’s first public opening. The weekend featured a ceremonial ribbon-cutting with Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, live performances by country music stars Chris Janson and LOCASH, PBR (Professional Bull Riders) competition, bourbon experiences, fireworks, and a celebration of America’s 250th birthday.
The official dedication ceremony marked the opening of Horse Soldier Farms, a 240-acre destination built to become one of Kentucky’s premier bourbon tourism attractions. The property is home to American Freedom Distillery, a 50,000-square-foot distillery, event spaces, and The Outpost retail store, where guests can purchase Horse Soldier Bourbon and branded merchandise. Additional visitor experiences will be introduced as the destination continues to expand.
Horse Soldier Farms represents the next chapter for Horse Soldier Bourbon, transforming the founders’ story of service, perseverance, and American craftsmanship into a destination where bourbon, hospitality, music, history, and community come together in one experience.
“This weekend marked the realization of a vision years in the making and seeing thousands of people come together to celebrate this property, our team, and our country’s 250th birthday made it even more meaningful,” said John Koko, co-founder and CEO of Horse Soldier Bourbon. “We set out to build something that would endure for generations, and we’re incredibly proud to officially welcome guests to Horse Soldier Farms.”
Throughout the Independence Day weekend, Horse Soldier Farms welcomed visitors from Kentucky and across the country for its inaugural public celebration. The event featured sanctioned PBR competition, showcasing some of the world’s top bull riders, alongside award-winning Horse Soldier Bourbon experiences, curated food offerings, live entertainment, and one of the region’s largest Fourth of July fireworks displays.
Designed as a gathering place for bourbon enthusiasts, music fans, veterans, families, and travelers, the opening weekend showcased Horse Soldier Farms as a year-round destination where bourbon, storytelling, craftsmanship, and American heritage intersect. Guests explored the property’s rolling hills, open-air gathering spaces, learned about the American Freedom Distillery, and visited The Outpost retail store to purchase Horse Soldier Bourbon and branded merchandise while experiencing the first chapter of Kentucky’s newest bourbon destination
“From the very beginning, we wanted every part of Horse Soldier Farms to tell a story,” said Scott Neil, co-founder and president of Horse Soldier Bourbon. “Watching guests explore the distillery, experience our hospitality, and celebrate alongside us reinforced exactly why we built this place. Horse Soldier Farms is now a destination where people can connect over great bourbon, great experiences, and the values that brought us here.”
“One of our greatest hopes for Horse Soldier Farms was that it would become part of the fabric of this community, and this weekend exceeded every expectation. We were honored to celebrate alongside our neighbors, partners, veterans, and visitors from across the country as we officially opened our doors,” said Elizabeth Pritchard-Koko, co-founder and chief brand officer of Horse Soldier Bourbon. “While this weekend was an incredible milestone, it’s also just the beginning. We look forward to welcoming guests back year-round and continuing to build a destination that Somerset and the Commonwealth of Kentucky can be proud of.”
The opening of Horse Soldier Farms also establishes a significant new destination within Kentucky’s world-renowned bourbon industry and expands tourism opportunities in southern Kentucky. Located near Lake Cumberland, the campus complements one of the state’s most visited outdoor recreation destinations while creating new opportunities for visitors to experience Kentucky bourbon culture.
The grand opening also represented a milestone for the community of Somerset and the Commonwealth of Kentucky, further strengthening the state’s position as the home of America’s native spirit while introducing a new destination expected to welcome visitors from around the world.
###
About Horse Soldier Bourbon:
From grain to glass, Horse Soldier Bourbon is handcrafted with all-natural ingredients, bottled in the heartland of America, and recognized with the highest honors at world spirits competitions, including three Double Gold medals at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. The bourbon’s origin story is woven into the fabric of one of finest moments of rallying as a nation. Just days after 9/11, elite teams of Green Berets were inserted into Afghanistan, some on horseback. Dubbed the “Horse Soldiers”, their bravery and exploits were retold in the Hollywood blockbuster “12 Strong,” the CNN documentary “Legion of Brothers,” and memorialized by America’s Response Monument located at Ground Zero in New York City. Headquartered in Somerset, Kentucky, Horse Soldier Bourbon is home to Horse Soldier Farms, a 240-acre destination distillery and hospitality campus that celebrates bourbon, history, craftsmanship, and community through immersive visitor experiences year-round. For more information visit https://horsesoldierfarms.com/.
