Overview: Whiskey Thief Distilling Co. is expanding its Louisville presence with a new 4,000-square-foot venue in NuLu. The Franklin County craft bourbon distillery will open the space on Nov. 5, launching a membership community alongside the original tasting room which remains open for walk-ins.
The Full Story
Craft bourbon brand Whiskey Thief is expanding its Louisville presence with a new 4,000-square-foot venue in Teddy Abrams’ former home in NuLu. The Guild House, located at 612 E. Market St., will open to the public on Nov. 5, bringing a new private event space and tasting room to Whiskey Thief as the brand continues to grow. The new 4,000-square-foot space will allow Whiskey Thief to move its events, buyouts, VIP receptions and private tastings to a separate space, leaving the original tasting room open to brand enthusiasts and walk-in guests.
Additionally on Nov. 5, the bourbon company will launch The Guild by Whiskey Thief, a membership community for Whiskey Thief fans. The Guild by Whiskey Thief will be free to join with paid levels that earn members access to get first claim on releases and a direct line to the barrels Whiskey Thief curates. Since Whiskey Thief products aren’t sold nationwide by a traditional distribution model, The Guild members club will be a way for brand loyalists to maintain access to the newest products in the portfolio.
Brand & Industry History
The Franklin County craft bourbon distillery opened its original Louisville tasting room on Nanny Goat Strut in 2024. The Guild House is located in a 19th-century residence and will serve as an extension to Whiskey Thief’s tasting and listening room and will bring classic architectural vibes and creative, local-focused art to the preserved space. The home converted into what will soon debut as The Guild House previously belonged to award-winning Louisville Orchestra Music Director Teddy Abrams. After the home was listed for sale, Zausch fell in love with the property. The house maintains some of Abrams’ original style, Zausch said, noting that “for the most part” the home was kept in a similar look and feel to his original vision.
What This Means
“Doing this is saying let’s put people in the center of the of the experience and really make them a part of it, make them a part of Kentucky bourbon,” Walter Zausch, CEO and founder of Whiskey Thief Distilling Co., told The Courier Journal. “I think the industry is showing that experiences right now are where the growth is.” While The Guild House will be primarily reserved for event usage going forward, Zausch is excited to see Whiskey Thief continue to grow and give people an opportunity to experience the brand in new ways. Two 2026 World Travel Awards for distillery tour experiences back that up.
Consumer Takeaway
The Guild House, 612 E. Market St., is opening to the public Nov. 5, 2026, bringing an extension of the Whiskey Thief tasting room to Louisville. The bourbon fan still wants to come in, experience bourbon, taste and take something home. That’s what we do well, Walter Zausch, CEO and founder of Whiskey Thief Distilling Co., said about expanding the visitor experience in Louisville. Guests do not only want to see where or how bourbon is made, they want to be part of it.
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