Two years after opening,
New Riff Distilling is planning a $7.5 million expansion along the newly widened Kentucky Route 9. Whiskey Campus will store New Riff’s bourbon and rye whiskey while it ages.
The project will include the construction of a 17,300-square-foot, 15-barrel-high Rickhouse to house New Riff’s bourbon barrels, as well as the rehabilitation of two historic buildings — a 32,100-square-foot building that will be used a distribution center, office space, bottling and storage space, plus a 10,600-square-foot building that will be used as another Rickhouse.
Both buildings are over 100 years old and used to house the Greenline trolley and bus system that served Northern Kentucky until 1972.
Whiskey Campus will serve as a catalyst for additional economic development along Route 9, which is a direct path from AA Highway and I-275 to Newport’s West Side and downtown Cincinnati.
Construction is slated to begin at the end of this month or the beginning of September.
Phase II of the project will include a brewpub, taproom and restaurant as well as Ei8ht Ball Brewing, which plans to relocate to Whiskey Campus. It will also feature decks that will overlook the Licking River.
Construction details for Phase II haven’t been announced yet.
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