Louisville Distilling Company Joins Kentucky Distillers’ Association

For Immediate Release – September 19, 2016

FRANKFORT, Ky. – The Kentucky Distillers’ Association today proudly welcomed the Louisville Distilling Company as its newest and 29^th member of the non-profit trade group that unites and leads the state’s signature Bourbon and distilled spirits industry.

The company is best known for its flagship Angel’s Envy^TM brand, a Kentucky straight Bourbon whiskey finished in hand-selected port wine casks. It was founded in 2011 by Wes Henderson and his father, the late Lincoln Henderson, former Master Distiller at Brown-Forman.

Louisville Distilling is meticulously restoring an early 1900s complex at the corner of Jackson and Main streets in downtown Louisville for its state-of-the-art distillery and visitor’s center.

“We are excited to announce the addition of the Louisville Distilling Company to the legendary ranks of our Association, which has promoted and protected our rich history and proud heritage for 136 years,” said KDA President Eric Gregory.

“The roots of Kentucky Bourbon run deep, back centuries to small, family distilleries that today are global icons. The Louisville Distilling Company and Henderson family have accomplished this feat in just a few short years, a fact that is celebrated through their award-winning whiskeys.

“It’s with great pride that the KDA welcomes the Louisville Distilling Company in keeping these long-held traditions alive. We look forward to working with them to secure the integrity of our industry and strengthening Kentucky’s rightful place as the one, true authentic home of Bourbon.”

Louisville Distilling joins the KDA as a “Proof” level member, which is reserved for established licensed distilleries that maintain an inventory between 10,000 and 25,000 barrels of Kentucky distilled beverage spirits.

“Membership in the Kentucky Distillers’ Association is a coveted honor in the distilled spirits world,” said Wes Henderson, Co-Founder and Chief Innovation Officer. “Taking our place amongst some of the most innovative and socially responsible businesses in the industry is a dream come true for our brands, the Louisville Distilling Company and the Henderson family.”

Henderson said the $27 million distillery and visitor’s center will open later this year. The 90,000-square-foot complex runs between Main and Market Streets. It was abandoned for nearly

30 years before Louisville Distilling Company purchased it and began the massive restoration.

In addition to its flagship Angel’s Envy, the company produces Angel’s Envy Cask Strength and Angel’s Envy Rye aged in rum barrels – both innovative expressions from Lincoln Henderson before his passing in 2013 at age 75.

Lincoln spent nearly 40 years as Master Distiller at Brown-Forman and was one of the original pioneers of the premium Bourbon and whiskey categories. He was a charter member of the Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame in 2001 and received numerous honors for his creations.

Learn more about Angel’s Envy at www.angelsenvy.com.

Founded in 1880, the KDA is the state’s voice for Bourbon and spirits issues. Its diverse membership produces 90 percent of the world’s Bourbon, from legendary, global brands to emerging micro distilleries that are building the next generation of the timeless craft.

Kentucky Bourbon is one of the Commonwealth’s most historic and treasured industries, a booming $3 billion economic engine that generates more than 15,400 jobs with an annual payroll topping $700 million and pours $166 million into state and local coffers each year.

The KDA’s world-famous Kentucky Bourbon Trail® and Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour® adventures also set attendance records last year with nearly 900,000 guests touring an all-time high of 19 participating distilleries.

In addition, KDA member distilleries are in the middle of a $1.3 billion building boom, Gregory said, from innovative new tourism centers to expanded production facilities, all to meet the growing global thirst for Kentucky’s signature spirit.

As further proof of the Bourbon renaissance, the KDA recently announced that state distilleries filled nearly 1.9 million barrels of Bourbon last year, the largest amount in nearly a half-century, and paid a record $17.8 million in barrel taxes that fund education and public safety.

There are now 1.5 barrels for every person living in Kentucky – a number that’s sure to rise with the addition of Louisville Distilling Company. “We are thrilled with the care and investment that Louisville Distilling is making in Kentucky,” Gregory said.

“Thanks to partners like the Louisville Distilling Company, our signature industry is moving forward at a record pace, creating jobs and investment that benefits all of Kentucky. It’s the Golden Age of Bourbon, and it’s getting stronger by working together.”

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For more information, contact:

Eric Gregory, KDA President, (502) 875-9351

The KDA is a non-profit trade association founded in 1880 to promote, protect and elevate Kentucky’s signature Bourbon and distilled spirits industry. Heritage members include Beam Suntory (Jim Beam and Maker’s Mark),

Brown-Forman Corp. (Old Forester and Woodford Reserve), Diageo North America, Four Roses Distillery, Heaven Hill Brands, Michter’s Distillery and Wild Turkey Distillery. Proof members include the Louisville Distilling Company and Willett Distillery.

Craft members include Alltech’s Town Branch Distillery, Barrel House Distilling Co., Bluegrass Distillers, Boone County Distilling Company, Boundary Oak Distillery, Casey Jones Distillery, Copper & Kings American Brandy Distillery, Corsair Artisan Distillery, Dueling Grounds Distillery, Hartfield & Co. Distillery, Kentucky Artisan

Distillery, Kentucky Mist Moonshine, Kentucky Peerless Distilling Co., Limestone Branch Distillery, MB Roland Distillery, New Riff Distillery, The Old Pogue Distillery, Second Sight Spirits and Wilderness Trail Distillery. The Distilled Spirits Epicenter is the KDA’s official educational distillery.

Member benefits include media relations, international trade development, private sampling events, technical assistance, economic development support, networking, legal defense, marketing strategies, governmental and regulatory advocacy and innovative tourism experiences through the KDA’s Kentucky Bourbon Trail® and Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour® adventures. The KDA maintains an open membership policy, champions a strong commitment to the responsible and moderate consumption of spirits, and fights to curb underage drinking and drunk driving. For more information about joining the KDA’s distilling family, contact KDA President Eric Gregory at (502) 875-9351. Visit www.kybourbon.com and www.kybourbontrail.com to learn more.

KENTUCKY BOURBON TRAIL®, KENTUCKY BOURBON TRAIL CRAFT TOUR®, KENTUCKY BOURBON AFFAIR™ and BOURBON TRAIL™ are trademarks/service marks of the Kentucky Distillers’ Association. Please drink responsibly.