Popular Kentucky Distillery: Kentucky Artisan Distillery

Origin	Crestwood, Kentucky, United States
Manufacturer	Kentucky Artisan Distillery
Established	2012
Ownership	Steve Thompson

The distillery’s historical significance is underscored by its membership in the Kentucky Distillers’ Association and its preservation of antique distilling equipment. Key figures like Steve Thompson, Chris Miller, and Jade Peterson have played pivotal roles in shaping the distillery’s success. Interviews with staff members like Bob and Liz highlight the emphasis on authenticity and education at Kentucky Artisan Distillery, while their unique practices such as batch distillation and sourcing grains from Waldeck Farm further distinguish them in the industry.

Popular Products

Jefferson’s Bourbon

Whiskey Row Bourbon

Billy Goat Strut North American Whiskey

Timeline

• Kentucky Artisan Distillery was established in 2012 by Steve Thompson, Chris Miller, and Mike Loring
• It was the first contract distillery in Kentucky and the only production-sized farm-to-bottle distillery capable of distilling as little as one barrel
• The distillery uses only pot stills and is run entirely by hand, without the use of any iPads or other modern technology
• In 2013, Kentucky Artisan Distillery joined the Kentucky Distillers’ Association as its 18th member

Famous Product Releases

• Whiskey Row Bourbon – A pre-Prohibition style bourbon
• Jefferson’s Bourbon – Kentucky Artisan Distillery became the official home for this innovative bourbon brand in 2012
• Billy Goat Strut North American Whiskey – Another brand produced at the distillery

Important People in Distillery History

• Steve Thompson – Founder and president of Kentucky Artisan Distillery, with decades of experience in the spirits industry including as president of Brown-Forman Distilleries
• Chris Miller – One of the three original founders and current distillery director
• Jade Peterson – Head distiller, responsible for running the distillery and leading the distilling team

Significant Historical Events

• In 2012, Kentucky Artisan Distillery was established in the former Kentucky Ice Cream Distributors building, repurposing the space into a working distillery
• The distillery’s extensive collection of historic distilling equipment, ranging from the 18th to 21st centuries, has been curated by founder Steve Thompson
• Some of the historic equipment is actually used in the distillery’s production processes today

Interviews

• Bob, a Kentucky Artisan Distillery tour guide and retired CPA, spoke about the distillery’s focus on authenticity and the use of traditional distilling methods
• Liz, the visitor center manager, discussed the distillery’s role in hosting educational events like the Bourbon History series in partnership with the Oldham County Historical Society

Products and Practices

• Kentucky Artisan Distillery operates a completely non-automated and non-computerized distillery, using a combination of five pot stills ranging in size and age
• The distillery prides itself on batch distillation, focusing on one batch through all steps of the process
• All of the grains used in the distillery’s products are sourced from a nearby 700-acre farm, Waldeck Farm, as part of the distillery’s farm-to-bottle approach

Sources

[1] https://kentuckyartisandistillery.com/what-makes-kentucky-artisan-distillery-such-a-unique-place-in-the-world-of-bourbon-distilleries/
[2] https://www.distillerytrail.com/blog/founder-of-kentucky-artisan-distillery-and-former-president-of-brown-forman-distilleries-steve-thompson-has-passed-away/
[3] https://kentuckyartisandistillery.com/about-us/
[4] https://thebourbontutor.com/index.php/2020/02/03/bourbon-history-series/
[5] https://kentuckyartisandistillery.com/brand/