Second Sight Spirits

Brief about the distillery

Second Sight Spirits is located in Ludlow, Kentucky, and presents itself as a visually striking craft-bourbon distillery. Founded by Carus Waggoner and Rick Couch, two creative forces with backgrounds in major Las Vegas shows, the place combines time-honored distillation techniques with a DIY aesthetic. Visitors can book tours as part of The B-Line® and the Kentucky Bourbon Trail®, taste Oak Eye Kentucky Bourbon as well as rum, moonshine and a hazelnut liqueur, and relax in the lounge's cocktail- and coffee-environment.

History

From Las Vegas show to bourbon in Kentucky

Carus Waggoner and Rick Couch worked in the entertainment industry in Las Vegas as industrial designers and mechanical engineers, where they were involved in large shows such as Cirque du Soleil’s LOVE and Viva Elvis. The pull home to Kentucky led them to Northern Kentucky, where they gathered their experiences and creativity to build a distillery with a focus on experience and craftsmanship. Along the way they have used local resources, bartering and rediscovered components—a story that is also told on their tours. Their mantra, "good for the spirit," and an open, DIY-oriented approach permeates both production and the space.

Position in the local community and on tour routes

Second Sight sits in the center of Ludlow on the banks of the Ohio River and is part of a dense local business community. The distillery serves as a visitor site on local bourbon routes; their tours are mentioned in connection with both The B-Line® and the Kentucky Bourbon Trail®. The tours tell both about the founders' backgrounds and how the distillery's character was created.

Raw materials and production

Second Sight produces bourbon as well as a range of other spirits such as rum, absinthe, moonshine and liqueurs. The production tone is artisanal with emphasis on premium, local ingredients and time-honored distillation techniques. Visitors get the opportunity to see the distillery's still and hear how it was created; this underscores the practical and DIY-oriented approach to equipment and operations. The distillery's products are also used in cocktails in the lounge, where seasonal coffee and cocktail menus are supplemented with locally roasted Deeper Roots coffee. The text on the pages highlights the experience as an equally important part of the work as the distillation itself.

Whiskeys

The core of the portfolio is presented around Oak Eye Kentucky Bourbon, which is mentioned as part of the tours' tastings. In addition to bourbon, Second Sight offers rum, absinthe, moonshine and a hazelnut liqueur, and these spirits appear in both bottle sales and in the bartender's cocktails. Bottles and merchandise can be purchased in the distillery's shop and lounge during opening hours. The lounge environment is complemented by a seasonal beverage menu with traditional and creative coffee drinks.

Visit the distillery

The distillery is open to the public with guided tours and tastings, which can be booked online via their ticketing system. On Thursdays, tours are offered by appointment only, while the distillery and gift shop are open Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The lounge is open Friday and Saturday 9:00–6:00 PM and Sunday 9:00–5:00 PM. Tours include storytelling about the founders, a tour of the still, and tastings of Oak Eye Kentucky Bourbon as well as selected rum and moonshine variants and a hazelnut liqueur. Bottles and merchandise can be purchased during opening hours.

The stated opening hours are Distillery: Thursday by appointment; Friday–Sunday 9:00–17:00. Lounge: Friday–Saturday 9:00–18:00; Sunday 9:00–17:00.
See times and book a visit.

Philosophy and Craft

Second Sight works around the mantra "good for the spirit" and a belief that presentation is as important as the product. The founders' backgrounds in show and design inspire an approach where spirits should excite, engage and entertain. Production is based on the use of local, premium ingredients and time-honored techniques, while the distillery's visual and DIY-oriented identity is part of the value base.