SHELBYVILLE, Ky. — Global alcoholic beverage producer Diageo announced it is on track to complete its new home for Bulleit Distilling Co. by the end of 2016.

To be located in Shelbyville, the new $115 million Bulleit complex broke ground in 2014 on an approximate 300-acre site to house its 1.8 million-gallon distillery.

"With the help and support of the Shelby County community, I am proud to say that the construction of this distillery is on time," said Dan Feeser, Diageo chief engineering director at Shelbyville, during a site visit for media and area officials on Oct. 6.

"I look forward to next year when we can gather once more and celebrate the end of a successful construction project and the beginning of Bulleit being made right here in Shelby County."

Bulleit, founded in 1987 by Tom Bulleit, currently employs about 150 workers, 90 percent of who work for companies located in the Bluegrass State. The project will eventually have 250 on-site employees and, once completed, the distillery will have a staff of 30 for day-to-day operations.

The first of four warehouses has already been completed and holds 40,000 barrels of bourbon, with the full 55,000 capacity expected to be met in mid-October.

Diageo spent more than $2 million to ensure the distillery remains environmentally friendly. This includes a 6 million-gallon biopond that is capable of containing all the liquid on the property; and has approximately 100 acres of land surrounding the complex, which will serve as a natural barrier to site operations.

In addition, management plans to buy corn from local farmers and offer bourbon byproducts as cattle feed to reduce feeding costs to area ranchers.

Besides Bulleit, the London-based Diageo also produces Crown Royal, Smirnoff, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Guinness and Sterling Vineyard wines, among others.