Historie

Kentucky Artisan Distillery (KAD) was founded in 2012 by Steve Thompson, Chris Miller and Mike Loring. According to their site, KAD was the first contract distillery in Kentucky, and serves as the home for Jefferson’s Bourbon. They describe themselves as a distillery that produces bourbon and spirits from grain to bottle, and therefore call themselves a farm-to-bottle operation, collaborating with other brands and assisting with innovative projects around Jefferson’s.

Produktion / Fremstilling

Led by Master Distiller Jade Peterson, the operation runs a small-batch setup that blends tradition and craftsmanship. The main equipment includes a Vendome copper- and brass-still standing 40 ft tall and 18 inches in diameter with a rectifying section, as well as a thumper named Ginger. Their boil kettle is 3,000 gallons, and they have nine fermentation tanks (1,300–5,700 gallons each), where some fermenters are up to 75 years old. Annual capacity is about 6,000 barrels, and the bottling line can handle 500–1,000 cases per day. They mash about 270 bushels of grain each day from Waldeck Farm, which spans 700 acres, and produce over 135 barrels of Kentucky spirits per week. Four warehouses provide a total capacity of 36,000 barrels.

Produkter / Whisky-serien

Kentucky Artisan Distillery is home to several brands: Jefferson’s Bourbon (also Jefferson’s Reserve, which is the best known), Whiskey Row Bourbon and the Kentucky Artisan Distillery Series. Their idea of “Farm to Bottle” is supported by close collaboration with Jefferson’s and other brands, and they emphasize delivering products that reflect Kentucky tradition.

Besøg / Oplevelser

KAD is part of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour and offers tours Tuesday–Saturday 10:00–16:00 and Sunday 12:00–16:00. The price runs around $18 for adults ($10 for active military and veterans). Tours last about 45 minutes to an hour and include tastings of the brands that call KAD home. Gift Shop and online store are available for purchasing products and merchandise. Reservations are recommended.

Filosofi

KAD expresses the motto: “Where distilling is still an art.” The facility combines traditional methods with innovation and a strong source of raw materials from Waldeck Farm. With Jade Peterson as Master Distiller and a team of craftsmen, they emphasize the process from mash to bottle as a craft and an art that preserves the classic bourbon tradition while also allowing room for collaboration and new projects through contract manufacturing.