What do you call a distillery with no brands of its own? A contract (or custom) distiller creates whiskies for its clients, and many of… Read More
What do you call a distillery with no brands of its own? A contract (or custom) distiller creates whiskies for its clients, and many of Kentucky’s largest distillers have often sold excess capacity by distilling for others. Bardstown Bourbon Company pioneered the current wave of contract distillers in Kentucky, and co-founder David Mandell is now one of the partners behind the new Whiskey House distillery. It will focus exclusively on custom distilling for its clients, and David Mandell will explain why on this week’s WhiskyCast In-Depth. In the news, Midleton Distillery’s brand-new visitors center is closed after this week’s flooding caused extensive damage, while time is running out to avoid a return to tariffs on exports of American whiskies to Europe.
The Western Kentucky Distilling Co. (Beaver Dam, KY) had its grand opening this week of its new $30 million, state-of-the-art distillery in Beaver Dam, Kentucky. The 100% Kentucky-owned distillery, not yet open for visitors, has opened its doors and is making quality bourbon and rye whiskey as the first official distillery in Ohio County since […]
The Western Kentucky Distilling Co. (Beaver Dam, KY) had its grand opening this week of its new $30 million, state-of-the-art distillery in Beaver Dam, Kentucky. The 100% Kentucky-owned distillery, not yet open for visitors, has opened its doors and is making quality bourbon and rye whiskey as the first official distillery in Ohio County since Prohibition.
The distillery is opening under the leadership of eighth-generation distiller and Kentuckian Jacob Call who will serve as COO and Master Distiller alongside Kentucky native and president of the distillery, JD Edwards. Both Call and Edwards have many years of experience in the distilling industry and will deliver whiskey made with the best ingredients and quality craftsmanship using long-standing traditional distilling techniques.
“It’s a proud moment for our team at Western Kentucky Distilling Co. as we open the doors and start making Kentucky bourbon and rye whiskey within our walls. Kentucky whiskey has a rich history in our state, and it’s an honor for our distillery to become part of that legacy, said Call. “As the first official distillery in Ohio County since Prohibition, we’re excited to be part of the community and also bring jobs to the region.”
Western Kentucky Distilling Co. is located at 1880 Old Liberty Church Road in Beaver Dam, Kentucky, in the Bluegrass Crossings Business Center, on land that used to be a farm. The 25,000 square foot distillery is on 80 acres and features 15 warehouses adding an additional 300,000 square feet. It will have the capacity to distill over 50,000 barrels per year and store 250,000 barrels. The distillery has already brought 25 jobs to the region, with more expected as production continues to ramp up and when the distillery welcomes visitors, which is expected in the coming years.
The Western Kentucky Distilling Co. team has deep roots in Kentucky, and is committed to bringing quality bourbon and rye whiskey to Western Kentucky, a region with deep bourbon history but after Prohibition, less distilleries than other parts of the state. In addition to being 100% Kentucky owned, key team members have long-standing family history in the state. Further, the team is proud to support the Kentucky economy by purchasing all cooking, fermenting, and distilling equipment in the state, including a Vendome 36” copper still, and is planning to use all locally grown Kentucky corn in products.
The distillery will focus on contract distilling to start, with signature brands and a visitor’s center down the road. For more information, visit https://www.wkydistilling.com.
About Western Kentucky Distilling Co.
Western Kentucky Distilling Co. is a bourbon and rye whiskey distillery located in Beaver Dam, Kentucky. The 100% Kentucky-owned distillery opened in 2023 as the first official distillery in Ohio County under the leadership of eighth-generation distiller and Kentuckian Jacob Call and President JD Edwards. From purchasing all cooking, fermenting, and distilling equipment in Kentucky, including a Vendome 36” copper still, to plans to use all locally grown Kentucky corn, the team is proud to support the local community and the state of Kentucky. For more information, visit https://www.wkydistilling.com.
When Rosebank Distillery’s stills went silent in 1993, many whisky lovers assumed the Falkirk distillery was gone forever – especially after thieves stole the copper… Read More
When Rosebank Distillery’s stills went silent in 1993, many whisky lovers assumed the Falkirk distillery was gone forever – especially after thieves stole the copper stills for scrap a couple of years later. Now, after 5 and a half years of work, Rosebank has come back to life, and the team at Ian Macleod Distillers filled the first casks of Rosebank since 1993 this week. We’ll talk with Ian Macleod’s Gordon Dundas about the revival of Rosebank on this week’s WhiskyCast In-Depth.
In the news, the whisky world pays tribute to the Bon Accord’s Paul McDonagh after the legendary Glasgow whisky bar’s owner passed away this week. Speyburn Distillery in Scotland is opening its doors to visitors for the first time starting next week, and we’ll have the details. We’ll take a look at sweet mash and sour mash distilling on Behind the Label, and our tasting notes this week include whiskies from Amrut and Arran distilleries.
