Heaven Hill Brands announced the rebranding of the Elijah Craig Speakeasy at the KFC Yum! Center located on the Club Level of the facility as a continuation of its long-standing relationship with the Louisville Arena Sports and Entertainment Properties (LASEP). 

The space previously housed the Evan Williams Bourbon Bar, in place since the Yum! Center’s opening in 2010. A locally owned, family run company in the Louisville community for the last 89 years, Heaven Hill is proud to support the evolution of the area’s premier sporting complex. 

“This elevated space brings to life the top-shelf quality that Elijah Craig is known for and invites both Louisvillians and those traveling to the city to experience the essence of the brand,” Max Stefka, Group Product Director for Elijah Craig, said in a news release. “We’re grateful to the Yum! Center and our partners at KNBA Architects and Bosse Construction for bringing our vision for the Elijah Craig Speakeasy space to life.”

The Elijah Craig Speakeasy, named after Eliah Craig, the Father of Bourbon, showcases a premium space with a sleek and timeless aesthetic utilizing the brand’s signature burgundy color accented by a stunning Carrera marble arched bar, larger-than-life lighted Elijah Craig signature sign, intricate wainscoting, natural wood accents, and inviting gallery walls. 

The project began in November 2022, with construction kicking off in June 2023. Project Managers at Heaven Hill Brands worked with K. Norman Berry Associates Architects (KNBA) PLLC on the architectural design of the bar as well as Bosse Construction on the build out of the space.  

Artwork featured in the Elijah Craig Speakeasy includes a barrel stave wall featuring Bourbon barrel charring levels ranging from a level one, which is just above a heavy toast, to a level four. It further calls out the level three char, which is the level used across the range of Elijah Craig Bourbons and Whiskeys to achieve the signature warm spice and subtle smoke flavor. The unique charring level feature walls were executed using barrel staves from Independent Stave Company.  

“You don’t expect to walk under the stands and there be this beautiful, premier and comfortable space,” Sandra M. Moran, KFC Yum! Center Director of Marketing, said. “It was a nice upgrade that makes the fans enjoy their experience at the venue even more than they already did while also creating brand awareness for the 50% of fans that come from outside of Kentucky.” 

The Elijah Craig Speakeasy will offer the brand’s signature Elijah Craig Small Batch Old Fashioned cocktail along with a classic Manhattan made with Elijah Craig Straight Rye. The full-bodied richness of Elijah Craig along with its 94-proof point makes it the perfect ingredient for spirit-forward cocktails such as these. Visitors can also try neat pours or cocktails made with some of the brand’s more limited release offerings.

Read more: Elijah Craig Releases Special PGA Bottle

ABOUT ELIJAH CRAIG BOURBON

Known as “The Father of Bourbon,” Elijah Craig is credited with being the first distiller to age his wares in charred oak barrels to make Bourbon. Produced by Heaven Hill Distillery, the brand’s lineup includes the signature Small Batch and many others. For more information, visit www.elijahcraig.com. 

(Photo by Benjamin Norton Photography)