Total Wine and More is the latest mega liquor store to open in Louisville. It’s a notable milestone because this is the largest wine and spirits retailer in the United States and it is their first store in Kentucky. Total Wine is also the single largest retailer of cigars in the United States, though you will still find a wider selection at a dedicated smoke shop.

This new store, located in the Paddock Shops of The Summit, will open tomorrow at 11 a.m. in a massive 25,000 square foot space that once housed a specialty grocery store. According to their press release, this store alone boasts 8000 wines, 3000 spirits, and 2500 beers. The bourbon section is massive, well-stocked, and very competitively priced. They already have 14 private barrel selections on the shelves, according to the regional manager. Ignore the section headers at the tops of the shelves and just shop the selection- oftentimes merchandisers put Early Times and Jack Daniels with the bourbon because they want to keep Brown-Forman products together.

Total Wine and More will offer tastings, classes, consumer education, and support for charities as it settles into the community. Notably missing from the bourbon section were any books about bourbon or proper Glencarin or other whiskey tasting glasses, but the spirit of the company seems to dictate they will add stock as the community requests it.

I applaud Total Wine and More for having a great selection of local products, and I see plenty of opportunities for local producers to reach out about getting their products on the shelves in time for the Holiday season. Welcome to the neighborhood, Total Wine!

Photos Courtesy of Maggie Kimberl