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“There are more barrels aging in Kentucky right now than people who live here,” said Michter’s Master of Maturation and Chief Operating Officer Andrea Wilson.
But one of the most essential ingredients of Kentucky bourbon does not come from a barrel — it flows from the tap. That’s why the first sip on a Michter’s tour is water.
“Louisville’s high-quality water is a fundamentally critical component of making high-quality American whiskey,” said Wilson.
That shared belief in quality is what brought Louisville Water and Michter’s together. The partnership began in 2019 after Wilson participated in a water tasting. She saw an opportunity to highlight how water quality helps craft the perfect bourbon. Today, a permanent Louisville Water-branded display at the Michter’s Fort Nelson Distillery helps tell that story on every tour.
From the tasting room to the distillery floor, Michter’s approach to bourbon mirrors Louisville Water’s approach to drinking water — prioritizing quality and reliability from start to finish.
“We focus on consistent, repeatable quality,” Wilson said.
With 95% of the world’s bourbon supply distilled in Kentucky, a reliable, high-quality water source is vital to the success of the state’s $9 billion-dollar industry. Louisville Water plays a direct role, supplying an average of two million gallons of water daily to nearly 20 distilleries.
“We like to say Louisville Water is bourbon’s best friend,” said Louisville Water Vice President of Strategic Communications and Marketing Kelley Dearing Smith.
Wilson spoke about water’s role in producing bourbon, and big business, in December at the Partnership for Safe Water Summit (sponsored by the American Water Works Association). Louisville Water co-hosted the conference, which brought together water providers from across the United States.
“Water is a billion-gallon business,” said Dearing Smith.
That business spills over into industries beyond bourbon. Louisville Water has a connection to the more than 24,000 restaurants, companies, parks, hospitals, distilleries, manufacturers, and more that make our area unique.
One example is Stellar Snacks, the first woman-owned pretzel manufacturer in the United States, which invested $137 million in a building along Dixie Highway. It is the largest economic development project on record in west Louisville, and the company proudly uses Louisville Pure Tap® to make its products.
“We are the cleanest, seasoned pretzel braid on the market. Water is one of those top five ingredients. I’d say the amazingness of your water is one of the first things we were introduced to,” Stellar Snacks co-founder Gina Galvin said at the 2024 ribbon cutting.
Providing a reliable resource is not only necessary but a big selling point for companies considering operations in Louisville.
“Louisville Water is one of the strongest liquid assets our region has to offer,” said Josh McKee, chief business development officer for the Louisville Economic Development Alliance (LEDA).
An anchor in the region, Louisville Water has a seat at the table in nearly every LEDA project. The ripple effects of economic development translate to more job opportunities, higher wages, more tourists spending money in our community, and more tax revenue for our schools, city services, public safety, parks, public transit, and infrastructure.
“Economic growth benefits every corner of our community and creating the environment for corporations to grow and flourish is a win-win for everyone,” McKee said. “Bourbon is just the beginning.”
We’re excited to continue highlighting bourbon’s connection to water at the first-ever Kentucky Bourbon Country Auction happening February 13-15, 2026. For tickets and more information, visit KYBCA.com.
