Popular Kentucky Distillery: MB Roland Distillery

OriginPembroke, Kentucky, United States
ManufacturerMB Roland Distillery
EstablishedFounded in 2009
OwnershipPaul & Merry Beth Tomaszewski

Introduction

MB Roland Distillery was founded in 2009 by Paul Tomaszewski and Merry Beth Roland in Pembroke, Kentucky. Over the years, the distillery has expanded its operations and product lineup significantly. In 2014, they upgraded from a 100-gallon still to a 600-gallon pot still system, allowing them to increase production.

Beyond their signature Dark Fired Straight Bourbon, MB Roland has expanded into a diverse range of other whiskey styles, including rye, wheat, wheated bourbon, corn, and malt whiskeys. They have also released unique products like Kentucky Azul, a bourbon barrel-aged spirit made with 100% blue agave.

The distillery’s co-founders, Paul Tomaszewski and Merry Beth Roland, have played pivotal roles in shaping the business. Tomaszewski, a history buff and former U.S. Army member, pioneered the distillery’s unique smoking process for the Dark Fired Bourbon. Meanwhile, Merry Beth Roland lent her name to the distillery.

Significant events in MB Roland’s history include opening as one of Kentucky’s first craft distilleries outside the traditional bourbon heartland in 2009, benefiting from a new craft producer license in 2014, and becoming a founding member of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour, which draws around 50,000 visitors annually. The distillery has also emphasized local sourcing of grains and traditional Kentucky distilling methods like using an open-top fermenter.

Dark Fired Straight Bourbon: MB Roland’s signature bourbon, made by smoking the corn used in the mash with a traditional “dark fired” tobacco smoking process.

Dark Fired Bourbon aged in used barrels: A variation on the Dark Fired Bourbon, aged in previously used barrels.

MB Roland Barrel Proof Bourbon: A single barrel bourbon bottled at barrel proof, described as having notes of caramel, sweet corn, and smoky roasting corn.

Kentucky Azul: A bourbon barrel-aged spirit made with 100% blue agave.

Rye Whiskey: MB Roland produces a rye whiskey, in addition to their bourbon offerings.

Wheat Whiskey: The distillery also makes a wheat whiskey.

Malt Whiskey: MB Roland has a straight malt whiskey in their product lineup.

Corn Whiskey: As a “grain to glass” distillery, MB Roland produces a corn whiskey that does not require aging.

Timeline

  • 2009: MB Roland Distillery is founded by Paul Tomaszewski and his wife Merry Beth Roland in Pembroke, Kentucky.
  • 2014: The distillery upgrades from a 100-gallon still to a 600-gallon pot still system.
  • Over the years: MB Roland expands its product lineup beyond its signature Dark Fired Straight Bourbon to include rye whiskey, wheat whiskey, wheated bourbon, corn whiskey, malt whiskey, and an assortment of moonshines.

Famous Product Releases

  • Dark Fired Straight Bourbon: MB Roland’s signature product, made by smoking the corn used in the mash with a traditional “dark fired” tobacco smoking process.
  • Dark Fired Bourbon aged in used barrels: A variation on the Dark Fired Bourbon, aged in previously used barrels.
  • Kentucky Azul: A bourbon barrel-aged spirit made with 100% blue agave.

Important People

  • Paul Tomaszewski: Co-founder and head distiller of MB Roland Distillery. A history buff and former U.S. Army member, he pioneered the distillery’s unique smoking process for the Dark Fired Bourbon.
  • Merry Beth Roland: Co-founder of MB Roland Distillery, named after her.

Significant Historical Events

  • 2009: MB Roland Distillery opens as one of the first craft distilleries in rural Kentucky, outside the traditional bourbon heartland.
  • 2014: Kentucky introduces a new license for craft producers, lowering fees and allowing expanded on-site sales, benefiting MB Roland.
  • Over the years: MB Roland becomes a founding member of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour, drawing around 50,000 visitors annually in a typical year.

Interviews

  • “The process is identical to tobacco smoking,” says Co-Founder and Distiller Paul Tomaszewski about the Dark Fired Bourbon. “After trying the initial batch we said, hell yea, we gotta do this.”
  • “We think the next thing long-term in the industry is experiences,” says Merry Beth Roland, referring to potential future additions like an on-site restaurant and accommodations.

Products and Practices

  • MB Roland sources much of its grain, including corn, wheat, and soybeans, from the local area, capitalizing on the region’s agricultural roots.
  • The distillery uses an open-top fermenter, following the traditional Kentucky distilling method.
  • Beyond its signature Dark Fired Bourbon, MB Roland produces a diverse range of spirits, including rye, wheat, and malt whiskeys, as well as an assortment of flavored moonshines.
  • The distillery has a tasting room that showcases its full product lineup, allowing visitors to explore beyond just the bourbon.

Sources


[1] https://distiller.com/articles/mb-roland-distillery
[2] http://www.firewaternetwork.com/mb-roland-distillery
[3] https://mbroland.com
[4] https://mbroland.com/tours-tastings/
[5] https://mbroland.com/whiskey-moonshine-101/