Destination: Dant Crossing
The Dant name is as secure in Bourbon history as any could be. As founder of the J.W. Dant Distillery and the brand of the same name, Joseph W. Dant was a true pioneer in charting the early course of Bourbon. For more information on the history of Joseph Dant, please read this article by Wes Hardin.
Today, Dant ancestors are writing new chapters to the family’s Bourbon history book. A new era of Dants - Wally, Lynne and Charles – have recently launched the family’s ambitious re-introduction into the Bourbon world. They have a new brand (Monk’s Road), a new distillery (Log Still Distillery) and a new tourist destination (Dant Crossing).
When I made my first trip to the site of Dant Crossing early last year, there wasn’t much there other than a water tower and some earth moving equipment. What I saw on my visit in July was much more impressive. The Dants have been busy, to say the least.
On the Dant Crossing property is the Log Still tasting room. There is a bar in the tasting room building where guests can sample the current Monk’s Road products. The Dants chose the name Monk’s Road because the distillery is on the same road as the Abbey of Gethsemani, the oldest practicing monastery in America. Right now, Monk’s Road has a gin, a barrel-aged gin and a six-year old Bourbon. At this time, all of those products are sourced from a “regional distillery”.
There is plenty of room to hang out with friends at the seating areas on the second floor of the tasting room or on the patio overlooking the amphitheater. Yes…the amphitheater. One of the centerpieces of Dant Crossing is a 2,000-seat amphitheater call The Amp. The Dants have already booked nationally-known acts like Little Big Town, Little River Band and Cheap Trick, but The Amp will host regional and local musicians, too.
A bed and breakfast called The Homestead is also within Dant Crossing. I have not stayed there yet, but I have friends who have and they called it “the best bed and breakfast experience I’ve ever had”. There is also The Poplar Cottage available for rental. It is a small lakeside home that sleeps 6.
More lodging options are in the works including a rental home called The Mansion. This is targeted towards large family gatherings or wedding parties. Next to The Mansion will be a 20,000 square foot event center called The Legacy. Inside The Legacy will be a chapel for weddings and a banquet hall that will be ideal for receptions, parties and company outings.
As if that weren’t enough, a new restaurant (47 & Poplar) is scheduled to open next year. A train depot called Gethsemane Station is also under design that will include sleeping cars for overnight stays on the rails.
Construction has also begun for a full, on-site production distillery. Currently, Log Still has a small hybrid Vendome still located next to the tasting room. Lynne Dant is currently using this still for experiments that will be made available to the public at some point in the future. The new distillery will have a 40-foot column still also built by Vendome.
Later this year, Log Still plans to add to its product offerings with a sourced Tennessee whiskey they will call Rattle & Snap. There will be a non-age stated straight whiskey and a limited edition 8-year old whiskey. A Honey Fire and Honey Hive variety of Rattle & Snap will also be available.
Whether for a concert, a whiskey tasting or a weekend getaway, Dant Crossing seems to have something for almost everybody. Put a visit here on your list for your next visit to the Bardstown area. By the time you get there, the Dants will probably have another project completed and likely another underway.
