The Kentucky Distillers’ Association announced that Rabbit Hole Distillery, Wilderness Trail Distillery and Willett Distillery are now “Heritage” members, the highest level in the non-profit group that leads the state’s bourbon and spirits industry.

Distilleries must have at least 25,000 barrels of distilled spirits aging in Kentucky warehouses in order to qualify as a Heritage member. As Heritage members, the three new qualifiers will have an expanded role in the management of KDA.

In addition, New Riff Distillery was announced as having met inventory requirements to advance to the “Proof” level of membership, which is the organization’s second-highest tier. The Proof level is for distilleries with 10,000-25,000 barrels of distilled spirits in Kentucky warehouses.

The KDA now has 14 Heritage members, the others being Bardstown Bourbon Company, Beam Suntory (Jim Beam and Maker’s Mark), Brown-Forman, Diageo North America, Four Roses, Green River Distilling Co., Heaven Hill Brands, Louisville Distilling Company, Lux Row, Michter’s and Wild Turkey.

Rabbit Hole joined the KDA in 2018, while Wilderness Trail joined in 2013 and Willett in 2012.

“It has been a groundbreaking year for KDA and that is reflected in the strength of the members we have moving into higher tiers of representation,” Jessica Pendergrass, Chairwoman of KDA’s Board of Directors and General Counsel at Heaven Hill Brands, said in a news release. “We had another record-setting production year and the distilling industry in Kentucky continues to flourish and expand.”