The B-Line Adds Two New Distilleries to Its Roster

The B-Line, a group of Northern Kentucky bourbon-centric distilleries, bars and restaurants, is adding two new stops.

Pensive Distilling Co. in Newport and Augusta Distillery in Augusta have become official members of The B-Line, which also consist of popular spots like New Riff Distilling, Coppin’s at Hotel Covington and Old Kentucky Bourbon Bar, after they were added to the Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour. The trail features “micro-distilling craftsmanship” from 28 distillers, determined by the Kentucky Distillers’ Association, and any Northern Kentucky distilleries added to the trail automatically qualify to become members of The B-Line.

“Last year, the Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour saw more than 725,000 visitors, many of whom begin their journey along the trail by flying into CVG,” meetNKY President and CEO, Julie Kirkpatrick said in a press release. “With the addition of Pensive Distilling Co. and Augusta Distillery, which was just named best bourbon in the world at the prestigious San Francisco World Spirits Competition, more people are taking notice of Northern Kentucky’s position as the starting point of that great bourbon adventure. We look forward to welcoming more visitors interested in learning more about our rich heritage in spirits to the Commonwealth and showcasing these two new stops along The B-Line.”
New stops have to meet seven strict criteria in order to join The B-Line, including fostering a culture around bourbon, stocking certain kinds of bourbon, restaurants having at least 50 labels of bourbon and bars at least 100 with a preference for Kentucky bourbon and weekly bourbon-infused food and drink specials. Bars must also offer specialty flights and host bourbon-related events. As for distilleries, they have to be in good standing with the Kentucky Distillers Association and be part of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail or Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour.

With the addition of Pensive Distilling Co. and Augusta Distillery, The B-Line now consists of 25 bourbon-centric places across Covington, Newport, Independence, Sparta, Augusta and Maysville. The B-Line began in 2018 as a way to introduce visitors to Kentucky’s famed Bourbon Trail, which hosted more than 2 million visitors last year.

“Augusta Distillery is proud to be a member of both the Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour and The B-Line. As a signature product of our state and a major source of tourism, adding to the mystique, history and legacy of bourbon is an honor,” Augusta Distillery President Ryan Edwards said in the release. “We look forward to breaking last year’s record number of visitors in 2023 and are excited for what lies ahead.”

“The B-Line and Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour is an open invitation to enjoy one of the Commonwealth’s signature products while taking in great experiences in unique cuisine and culture,” Pensive Distilling Co. owner Scott Quigley said in the release. “We may be the newest members of both, but I’m sure we won’t be the last, as people continue to discover what makes Northern Kentucky and the rest of the state a world-class destination for visitors.”

You can learn more about The B-Line and see all its stops here.

Pensive Distilling Co., 720 Monmouth St., Newport. More info: pensivedistilling.com.

Augusta Distillery, 207 Seminary Ave., Augusta. More info: augustakydistillery.com.
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