Bardstown Bourbon Co. joins Whiskey Row in downtown Louisville. Here's a sneak peek inside

The windows of 730 W. Main St. have been covered up for months, as work continued on the tasting experience of Bardstown Bourbon Company in downtown Louisville.

During a recent media preview of the new space, which opens to the public Wednesday, the bourbon brand’s CEO, Mark Erwin, said he was excited to finally say, "Welcome in."

“When you walk in here, we want you to be wowed," Erwin told the Courier Journal.

It was the first time that windows went uncovered to let passersby get a peek inside and the daylight could shine on the posh details of what Erwin and his team are calling “Louisville Home Place” for the distillery that launched in 2016 and has an original home about 40 miles south in Bardstown.

The $5 million project has been in the works for over a year, following the passing of House Bill 500, in which the Kentucky General Assembly allowed distillers to sell bottles at gift shops and open satellite tasting rooms.

That’s some of what you’ll find at the downtown Louisville version of Bardstown Bourbon Company. Upon walking in, you’ll see an organized area to the left with rows of bourbon bottles on lit-up display, next to a retail area showcasing more bottles, T-shirts, glassware and other merchandise. To the right is a moss background behind an impressive video wall showing glimpses of the distillery’s process.

In between, you’ll see the beautiful marble bar with another moss background and a check-out area with a background reminiscent of a green and glossy rock climbing wall.

These are the details that Erwin says provide “Instagram moments” and “Wow” moments for patrons.

“We don’t want to be just another downtown bar,” Erwin said. “We’re a full bourbon experience.”

To add to that, the operation includes a classroom setting where guests can learn the ins and outs of Bardstown Bourbon Company’s products, on a walk-in or reservation basis. Tastings might involve morsels of cacao or Pop Rocks to accentuate the flavors.

“This allows us to bring the modern bourbon experience that we have down in Bardstown to folks in Louisville who might not make it Bardstown,” Erwin said. “It’s a great opportunity for us to share what goes on at the distillery.”

The location on Whiskey Row is somewhat strategic, he said. It follows the openings of other nearby experiences, such as Buzzard’s Roost, Doc's Bourbon Room, Expo Bar, Barrels & Billets, and an expanded Angel's Envy distillery.

“We don’t want to miss that crowd,” he said.

And it will hopefully draw more interest in Bardstown Bourbon Company overall, said Dan Callaway, vice president of product development.

“When you come to see us in Bardstown, it’s intentional,” Callaway said. “We want to reach more people. I’m excited for more people to know our brand. We’re still a well-kept secret in some ways.”

Now, in downtown Louisville, the secret is out. Bardstown Bourbon Company’s tasting experience is open Tuesday-Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Find more details at bardstownbourbon.com/plan-a-visit/.

Reach food and dining reporter Amanda Hancock at ahancock@courier-journal.com.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Bardstown Bourbon Co. joins Whiskey Row in downtown Louisville