History

Early years and distilleries

McBrayer Legacy Spirits traces its history back to W.H. McBrayer, born in 1821 as one of 11 children in a Scottish-descended family in Anderson County, Kentucky. He worked early in the family grocery business and later became a successful butcher and proprietor for about 30 years, before focusing more on his whiskey business.

Cedar Brook and global renown

From 1840-1848 it became known in the region that the McBrayer family made the 'perfect batch whiskey'. In 1844 the distillery #44 was housed under the label 'W.H. McBrayer Hand Made Sour Mash Whiskey.' In 1848 his cousin established Distillery #125 (J.H. McBrayer Distillery) at Hammond’s Creek. The name and reputation for high quality grew over the years, and in 1856 the distillery was renamed Cedar Brook after his wife Mary's advice, which would later become a worldwide brand.

Politics, growth and the war

M. McBrayer's career as the town's first judge and later a member of the Kentucky State Senate inspired him to expand the distillery. In the 1860s-1870s Cedar Brook continued to prosper, while W.H. McBrayer collaborated with TB Ripy on distillery #112 in Tyrone, KY. Later, in 1870, J.H. McBrayer established a new distillery in New Market as Old McBrayer Distillery, which was later acquired by McBrayer.

Global recognition

McBrayer's whiskey gained international recognition: gold medals in Vienna (1873) and the Philadelphia Centennial Exposition (1876). Cedar Brook Bourbon became known as 'the whiskey that made the crowned heads of Europe turn from Scotch to Bourbon.'

Prohibition years and family legacies

Toward the end of the 19th century, full production was leveraged to supply the market, and the McBrayer name was used by other producers such as Cedar Brook and W.H. McBrayer: protection of the brand under name changes and later closure in 1922 due to Prohibition. After the shutdown, only a few historical bottles and documents were preserved.

Rebirth and present day

From 2015, McBrayer Legacy Spirits began reviving the family name's bourbon tradition. In 2016 McBrayer Legacy Spirits was founded to present today's bourbon enthusiasts with a tradition of excellence handcrafted by The Judge more than 175 years after his batch won the World's Fair prize.

First Limited Release and further development

In early 2021 the first Limited Release was announced, marked as the bicentennial of The Judge's birth. The new production promises to use a specially formulated yeast strain, limestone-filtered Kentucky River water, and heirloom grains grown within 15 miles of the original distillery to bring a spirit of high quality and the story behind Mr. The Judge to the bourbon world.

Family and community

McBrayer Legacy Spirits invites you to join the McBrayer Legacy Club and participate in the family's ongoing celebration of Kentucky Bourbon.

Production / Manufacturing

McBrayer Legacy Spirits focuses on recreating a bourbon that honors The Judge and his world-renowned reputation for quality. According to our history, the production uses a specially designed yeast strain, limestone-filtered Kentucky River water, and heirloom grains grown near the historic site. Emphasis is placed on high-quality ingredients and modern distillation methods to reproduce a spirit that tells the story of the man who introduced Kentucky Bourbon to the world.

Products / Whisky series

• Kentucky Bourbon that interprets The Judge and his world-famous batch that won the world's fair prizes. Notably, the use of a unique yeast strain, limestone-filtered water, and grains harvested within a short distance from the original distillery.
• Branding and naming threads, including 'Here Comes The Judge,' and the focus on bringing the McBrayer legacy back into the bourbon world.
• The first Limited Release in 2021 marks the start of a series of releases that pay tribute to The Judge and his contributions to Kentucky Bourbon.

Visit / Experiences

The content mentions a Legacy Club where you can join and receive updates on the latest bourbon releases via membership. There is no specific mention of tours or tastings in the available content.

Philosophy

McBrayer Legacy Spirits stands for revitalizing a historic bourbon legacy by respecting tradition while also applying modern distilling techniques and high-quality ingredients. The goal is to bring The Judge's spirit and the McBrayer name back into the spotlight as an example of Kentucky Bourbon excellence through craftsmanship and a local connection to historical sources and conditions.