Watch Hill Proper bourbon bar
hires construction firm and creative director
Membership sales approach opening day capacity
PROSPECT, Ky. (September 14, 2021) – Watch Hill Proper, Louisville’s first premier bourbon club located in Norton Commons, is proud to announce it has chosen Louisville-based Buffalo Construction, Inc. for the construction of the 5,200 sq. ft. location anticipated to open in the first quarter of 2022. The Club has also hired Louisville native and whiskey expert Forrest Price as its Creative Director.
Both the Club’s layout and renderings were created by Design + Inc., an award-winning architectural and design firm that specializes in the restaurant industry. Buffalo Construction, Inc., a commercial construction partner, will bring The Fermenter (a waiting room with a smaller bar), the main bar, and two private rooms – a Member Lounge and a Library to life. The Member Lounge will be accessible to members during the day before official opening hours of the club. The Library will be a place for members to relax and expand their bourbon knowledge. The main bar will be in a large open room with over 1,000 bottles of bourbon behind the bar. A unique bourbon barrel ceiling feature will be a focal point of the club, with barrels located throughout the club. Construction is scheduled to begin in October.
As Creative Director, some of Forrest Price’s duties will include optimizing the flow behind the bar and serving the guests, assisting with bottle acquisition, interviewing and hiring staff, curating the wine list, creating curriculum for staff education, collaborating in the cocktail program, creating and organizing events, and guiding guests through the plethora of whiskey expressions.
“Of all the ways in which people drink spirits, none seem more pervasive than grain aged in wood, aka Whiskey,” says Price. “Being Whiskey Advisor at such a unique place as Jack Rose Dining Saloon in Washington, D.C. showed me firsthand that Kings from the Middle East, professional athletes, tourists from Peru, farmers from Idaho, the neighbor down the street, families from Nashville, and politicians from all over the world share a common interest – whiskey. This special brown liquid has spread its tentacles to nearly every corner of the planet and each place has put its own unique stamp on it. This is what draws me to be a steward of the spirit, and the hospitality industry in general. The nuances of each style are brilliant and tasty, and I love sharing their discrepancies.”
Watch Hill Proper began accepting membership applications through its website for all membership types back in May. Industry leaders affiliated with high quality brands including Four Gate, Beam Suntory, Brown-Forman, Heaven Hill, Angel’s Envy, Castle & Key, Bardstown Bourbon Company, New Riff, Four Roses, Limestone Branch and Peerless have already joined the club. Many authors and influencers have also joined, and more are being added daily. “We have received tremendous support from the entire bourbon industry,” says co-founder Josh Howes, “and we can’t wait to give our members exclusive intimate experiences with these brands through our club events.”
The current membership drive underway has a limited number of 300 memberships and about half have been accepted to date. Once memberships reach the cap of 300 members, applicants will be placed on a membership waiting list. More memberships may be released at a future date, but the initial cap of 300 ensures a premier member experience. Memberships are not required to visit the club as it will be open to the public. However, members will have reservation privileges, receive a discount on drinks, have access to purchase the club barrel picks, and can attend special member-only events amongst more than a dozen additional privileges.
Watch Hill Proper plans to deliver a large and rare selection of bourbon and create a unique whiskey cocktail program. Light fare food and wine will also be served. For more information or for membership details, please visit the Watch Hill Proper website at www.watchhillproper.com or contact Bev Reese at (502) 230-1982.
About Watch Hill Proper:
Watch Hill Proper is Louisville’s first premier membership bourbon club anticipated to open early in 2022. Our purpose is to be a community built around a common interest – bourbon. Our goal is to be a community of ambassadors for Kentucky’s signature industry and do it in style. For more information about Watch Hill Proper, or to apply for membership, visit www.watchhillproper.com.
About Buffalo Construction:
Buffalo Construction, Inc. is driven by the pursuit of Building Better! As a Solutions Partner, Buffalo Construction, Inc. fosters a collaborative environment of exploration, innovation, and execution. Headquartered in Louisville, KY Buffalo Construction, Inc. has a presence in 49 states with expertise in a variety of markets, including restaurant, hospitality, fuel, retail and multi-family. Whether starting from a seed of an idea or developing a current investment, the Buffalo Construction, Inc. team and their portfolio of services has the capabilities to bring any project to life from design through development, construction and operations. Building Better! delivers on one overriding promise: to do the right thing every time, no matter what. For more information, visit www.buffaloconstruction.com.
About Forrest Price:
Forrest Price, a Louisville, KY native, is a former Whiskey Advisor for Jack Rose Dining Saloon in Washington, D.C., the current standard-bearer for whiskey establishments the world over. A contributor to writing publications, curator of private collections, organizer of charity barrel picks, and the creator of a Dewey Decimal-like system for whiskey, he also teaches private whiskey classes, works with spirits brands, and has consulted for famous establishments such as the Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Colorado.
