Popular Kentucky Distillery: Stitzel-Weller Distillery

OriginShively, Kentucky, United States
ManufacturerDiageo
EstablishedFounded in 1935
OwnershipDiageo

Introduction

The Stitzel-Weller Distillery had a long and eventful history, spanning nearly 60 years from its founding in 1935 to its eventual closure in 1992. The distillery was founded on Derby Day in Shively, Kentucky, a suburb of Louisville, by co-founders Alex T. Farnsley and Arthur Phillip Stitzel.

Over the decades, the distillery experienced significant changes in ownership and leadership. Co-founder Farnsley passed away in 1941, followed by co-founder Stitzel in 1947. The original owner, Julian Van Winkle Sr., passed away in 1965, with his son Julian Van Winkle Jr. taking over operations.

In 1972, the distillery was sold to Norton-Simon, who renamed it the Old Fitzgerald Distillery. It was later acquired by Distillers Co., a $1.5 billion liquor company, in 1984. The distillery officially closed in 1992.

After a period of dormancy, the facility was acquired by Diageo in 1997. Diageo then reopened the Stitzel-Weller Distillery in 2014 as a tourism site for their Bulleit Bourbon brand, reviving the legacy of this historic bourbon producer.

Old Fitzgerald Bourbon: The distillery’s flagship brand, acquired from the Old Judge Distillery in 1933.

Weller Bourbon: A wheated bourbon that became the foundation for brands like Jefferson’s, Pappy Van Winkle, and Buffalo Trace’s Weller.

Rebel Yell Bourbon: Sold to The David Sherman Corporation during the 1972 closure.

Cabin Still Bourbon: One of the distillery’s notable brands.

Pappy Van Winkle: The renowned “Pappy Van Winkle” brand, created by Julian Van Winkle Sr.

I.W. Harper Bourbon: One of the whiskey brands currently produced at the Stitzel-Weller Distillery.

Orphan Barrel Whiskey: A collection of rare and limited-edition whiskeys produced at the Stitzel-Weller Distillery.

Timeline

  • 1935: The Stitzel-Weller Distillery was founded on Derby Day, located in Shively, a suburb of Louisville, Kentucky.
  • 1941: Co-founder Alex T. Farnsley passed away.
  • 1947: Co-founder Arthur Phillip Stitzel passed away.
  • 1965: Julian Van Winkle Sr., the original owner, passed away.
  • 1972: The distillery was sold to Norton-Simon, who renamed it the Old Fitzgerald Distillery.
  • 1984: Distillers Co., a $1.5 billion liquor company, acquired the Old Fitzgerald Distillery.
  • 1992: The distillery officially closed.
  • 1997: Diageo, formed from a merger between Guinness and Grand Metropolitan, acquired the facility.
  • 2014: Diageo reopened the Stitzel-Weller Distillery to the public as a tourism site for Bulleit Bourbon.

Famous Product Releases

  • Old Fitzgerald Bourbon: The distillery’s flagship brand, acquired from the Old Judge Distillery in 1933.
  • Weller Bourbon: A wheated bourbon that became the foundation for brands like Jefferson’s, Pappy Van Winkle, and Buffalo Trace’s Weller.
  • Rebel Yell Bourbon: Sold to The David Sherman Corporation during the 1972 closure.
  • Cabin Still Bourbon: One of the distillery’s notable brands.

Important People

  • Julian Van Winkle Sr.: The original owner, who passed away in 1965.
  • Julian Van Winkle Jr.: Took over operations after his father’s death.
  • Will McGill: The first Master Distiller for the Stitzel-Weller Distillery.
  • Edwin Foote: The last Master Distiller, who lamented the rise of automation in distillation.
  • Pappy Van Winkle: Changed the advertising landscape and created the renowned “Pappy Van Winkle” brand.

Significant Historical Events

  • The distillery was built outside the city limits to avoid taxes and take advantage of the quality of the local water.
  • The owners displayed a sign reading “no chemists allowed,” emphasizing their belief that distilling was an art, not a science.
  • The distillery was influential, along with Maker’s Mark, in championing the use of wheat in bourbon, rather than the more popular rye.
  • The distillery was known for aging its spirits longer than the industry standard at the time, sometimes up to 10 years or more.
  • Under new leadership in the late 1980s and early 1990s, the distillery increased production and pursued a strategy of competing Rebel Yell against Jack Daniel’s.

Interviews

“We are the heirs of Pappy Van Winkle and certainly the great brands that were distilled here through the years.” – Larry Schwartz, Diageo CEO, on the reopening of the Stitzel-Weller Distillery in 2014.

“It’s just great to see the place alive again. [Stitzel-Weller] had been dead for such a long time.” – Sally Campbell Van Winkle, Pappy Van Winkle’s granddaughter, on the reopening of the distillery in 2014.

The Stitzel-Weller Distillery has a rich and storied history, from its founding in 1935 to its eventual closure in 1992 and subsequent reopening as a tourism site in 2014. It was a pioneering force in the bourbon industry, known for its innovative techniques, renowned brands, and influential figures like Pappy Van Winkle. The distillery’s legacy continues to be felt in the bourbon world today.

Sources


[1] https://www.stitzelwellerdistillery.com
[2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stitzel%E2%80%93Weller_Distillery
[3] https://www.stitzelwellerdistillery.com/history
[4] https://whiskymag.com/articles/short-history-of-stitzel-weller/