Popular Kentucky Distilleries: Boone County Distilling Co.

OriginIndependence, Kentucky, United States
ManufacturerBoone County Distilling Co.
EstablishedFounded in 1833
OwnershipJack Wells & Josh Quinn

Introduction

Boone County Distilling Co., with a rich history dating back to 1833, boasts a legacy of producing exceptional spirits. Their popular products include the aged Eighteen 33 Straight Bourbon Whiskey, the limited edition 8 Years Single Barrel Straight Bourbon Whiskey, the distinctive Pot Still Single Barrel Bourbon, along with the flavorful Small Batch Rye Whiskey, Small Batch Bourbon Whiskey, and Wheated Bourbon.

This renowned distillery, once the largest in Kentucky by 1880, faced challenges during Prohibition but was revitalized in 2015 with a new facility in Florence. Notable figures like William Snyder and Lewis Loder have shaped its history, while award-winning releases like “Tanner’s Curse” showcase their commitment to quality. With plans to introduce their first house-made bourbon soon, Boone County Distilling Co. continues to honor tradition with their meticulous practices and dedication to crafting exceptional spirits.

Boone County Distilling Co. Eighteen 33 Straight Bourbon Whiskey, aged for 12 years

Boone County Distilling Co. 8 Years Single Barrel Straight Bourbon Whiskey, bottled at cask strength as a limited edition release

Boone County Pot Still Single Barrel Bourbon 5 Years Old

Boone County Small Batch Rye Whiskey

Boone County Small Batch Bourbon Whiskey

Boone County Wheated Bourbon

Timeline

  • Boone County Distilling Co. has deep roots dating back to 1833 when Petersburg, Kentucky was home to the largest distilled-spirits producer in America
  • In 1833, businessman William Snyder opened the Petersburg Distillery, which later became Boone County Distilling Company
  • By 1880, the distillery in Petersburg was considered the largest in Kentucky, producing 4 million gallons of whiskey in 1897, making it one of the largest distilleries in the country
  • In 1901, the distillery’s success attracted the attention of the mob in Illinois, who drove the business into the ground, and by 1910 the distillery site was reconfigured into the Petersburg jail
  • Whiskey wasn’t bottled legally in Boone County again for more than a century until the modern distillery opened in Florence, Kentucky in 2015

Famous Product Releases

  • Boone County Distilling Co. has won several national awards for its products
  • The distillery’s white whiskey is called “Tanner’s Curse”, named after the dark history of the Tanner family who originally settled the land
  • The distillery has not yet released its first house-made bourbon, but plans to do so in the near future

Important People in Distillery History

  • William Snyder, who opened the original Petersburg Distillery in 1833
  • Levy J. Workum, J.C. Jenkins, and other early industrialists and businessmen who propelled the area’s bourbon industry
  • Lewis Loder, known as “The Observer”, whose detailed diary entries provide much of the modern distillery’s historical knowledge

Significant Historical Events

  • The distillery’s success in the late 1800s attracted the attention of the mob in Illinois, who drove the business into the ground by 1910
  • Prohibition brought a halt to distilled spirits production in Boone County that lasted for more than a century
  • The modern distillery opened in 2015, reviving the Boone County Distilling Co. name and history

Interviews

  • Tour guide Jake Perkins shared the distillery’s ghost stories and history, including the Tanner family’s troubles and the mob’s involvement
  • Distillery co-founder Jack Wells discussed how they’ve established the brand by selling sourced whiskey and retelling the distillery’s real history

Products and Practices

  • The distillery uses an old-school pot still nicknamed “The Bear” and follows traditional distilling methods
  • The mash bill for the whiskey and bourbon is 74% corn, 21% rye, and 5% malted barley
  • The distillery fills 30 barrels per month and plans to release its first house-made bourbon in the near future

Citations:
[1] https://boonedistilling.com
[2] https://kybourbontrail.com/distillery/boone-county-distilling-co/
[3] https://www.courier-journal.com/story/life/food/spirits/bourbon/2023/10/18/boone-county-distilling-co-says-its-bourbon-is-made-by-ghosts/70961205007/
[4] https://www.cincinnatimagazine.com/wine-spirits/how-to-make-liquor/
[5] https://www.meetnky.com/blog/post/meet-the-b-line-boone-county-distilling-co/