Kentucky Artisan Distillery Joins Kentucky Distillers’ Association

CRESTWOOD, Ky. — The Kentucky Artisan Distillery in Oldham County is the newest member of the Kentucky Distillers’ Association, the Commonwealth’s leading voice on Bourbon and spirits issues since 1880.

Kentucky Artisan becomes the KDA’s 18th member — the most since 1972.

The craft distillery will produce its own brands and function as a cooperative for guest distillers who need assistance with production, bottling, barrel storage and more, said Managing Director Steve Thompson.

“Opening a distillery is a lengthy and expensive process,” said Thompson, a former executive with Brown-Forman. “We can help prospective distillers get started and get their products on the shelves, while they’re concentrating on set-up, sales and marketing.”

KDA Board Chairman Rick Robinson commended Thompson and his partners on providing niche services to micro-distillers. “Steve and his team offer a wealth of experience to emerging distillers, and we proudly welcome them to the Kentucky Distillers’ Association.”

Founded in 2012, Kentucky Artisan Distillery is located in a 15,000-square-foot former ice cream distribution center next to Yew Dell Botanical Gardens. It contains four stills capable of producing vodka, gun, brandy, rum and whiskey, as well as an automated bottling line and test laboratory.

“Our dream is to create opportunities,” Thompson said. “We’re truly offering everything for people to distill their own unique spirit without great expense. We’re thankful to the KDA and their members for all their support and all they do for our signature industry.”

For more information on Kentucky Artisan Distillery, visit www.whiskeyrow.com.

Kentucky Artisan is the KDA’s 10th craft member, a level for distilleries that produce less than 10,000 barrels of Kentucky beverage spirits annually. And, it’s the first time in 41 years that KDA’s membership has swelled to 18 distilling companies.

“This marks another important milestone in the historic growth and renaissance of our legendary industry,” said KDA President Eric Gregory. “For much of today’s generation, you could count the number of distillers in Kentucky on one hand. Now we have problems fitting them in one room.”

Gregory said the exponential growth proves that Kentucky remains the center of American distilling — with more on the way. A dozen new companies have expressed interest or announced plans to build or locate in the Bluegrass, he said.

“Kentucky has the tradition, the expertise and the infrastructure necessary for anyone looking to join the Bourbon boom. Our distilleries — both large and small — are leading the nation in innovation and education, and demonstrating that we’re stronger when we work together.

“We congratulate Kentucky Artisan Distillery on their opening and their membership, and look forward to working with them to secure the integrity of our timeless craft and keep Kentucky’s rightful place as the one, true and authentic home for Bourbon.”

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For more information, contact:
Eric Gregory, (502) 875-9351
Steve Thompson, (502) 241-3070

The KDA, a non-profit trade association founded in 1880, is the state’s foremost voice on spirits issues. Heritage members include Beam Inc. (Jim Beam and Maker’s Mark), Brown-Forman Corp., Diageo North America, Four Roses Distillery, Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc., and Wild Turkey Distillery. Proof members include Michter’s Distillery.

Craft distillery members include Alltech’s Town Branch Distillery, Barrel House Distilling Co., Corsair Artisan Distillery, Kentucky Artisan Distillery, Limestone Branch Distillery, MB Roland Distillery, The Old Pogue Distillery, Silver Trail Distillery, Wilderness Trace Distillery and The Willett Distillery. Educational members include Distilled Spirits Epicenter.

The Kentucky Bourbon Trail®, the Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour® and Bourbon Trail™ are trademarks/service marks of the Kentucky Distillers’ Association. Go to www.kybourbon.com and www.kybourbontrail.com for more information. Please drink responsibly.