Revamped Elijah Craig Speakeasy Opens At KFC Yum! Center
Heaven Hill Brands today 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,” said Max Stefka, Group Product Director for Elijah Craig. “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.
“Designing this space was an incredibly rewarding project that embodies our mission to create, restore and sustain,” said Christopher Fuller, Principal with KNBA. “We know how important the Bourbon industry is to our city and state so using our talents to showcase one of its premier brands to the masses at the Elijah Craig Speakeasy meant a lot to our company.”
“Bosse Construction is deeply honored to have been selected as the general contractor for the Elijah Craig Speakeasy project and is proud to have contributed to its construction,” said Daniel Lawson, Vice President of Bosse Construction. “Our collaboration with Heaven Hill and K Norman Berry Architects was remarkable, and we appreciate the opportunity to work with such a respected client.”
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,” said Sandra M. Moran, KFC Yum! Center Director of Marketing. “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.” Speaking on the relationship with Heaven Hill, Moran said, “Before anyone really knew what the KFC Yum! Center was going to be, Heaven Hill was right there with us. This community is so important as it continues to reinvest and evolve with the facility.”
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 including Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel, Elijah Craig Toasted Rye, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof and Elijah Craig 18-year-old Single Barrel.
