Kentucky Artisan Distillery
Brief overview of the distillery
Kentucky Artisan Distillery in Crestwood is a working contract distillery and bottler, where production from mashing to bottling takes place on the same site. The distillery sources grain from the surrounding 700 acres at Waldeck Farm and also serves as the home for Jefferson’s Bourbon. The combination of farm-to-bottle raw materials, production scaling, and visitor facilities makes KAD a central stop on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour.
History
The idea that became Kentucky Artisan Distillery took shape in 2012. The goal was a facility where experiments, development and full-scale production could take place under one roof. In the years following startup, the distillery grew in volume and role: it became the home for Jefferson’s Bourbon and expanded as a contract production and bottling facility, which today handles both its own products and bottles for other brands. The development has preserved a focus on local ingredients and integrated operations of mashing, distillation, aging, and bottling.
Raw materials and production
KAD operates according to a farm-to-bottle principle: grain grown on the neighboring Waldeck Farm is delivered for mashing on site, where about 270 bushels of grain are mashed daily. The facility includes a laboratory, milling and mash areas, fermentation, distillation, bottling line, and a tasting room/store, and the entire production chain is operated by the distillery's own staff. As a contract distillery, production is adapted to partner needs, and the facility rotates tastings of different brands as part of tours.
Aging and barrel types
A large portion of aging and bottling is done on site, and the distillery serves as the storage and bottling site for brands produced at the facility. The documentation does not include details on specific barrel types, finish programs, or storage conditions, but describes aging and bottling as integrated elements in the production flow.
Whiskeys
KAD houses both its own Kentucky Artisan Distillery Series, which honors traditional Kentucky mash bills and estate-grown grains, and a number of other brands that use the distillery's facilities. Jefferson’s Bourbon is explicitly mentioned as a brand where substantial parts of distillation, bottling, and aging take place at KAD. In addition, KAD handles production for brands such as Whiskey Row Bourbon and other contract clients; which bottles are available in the shop varies over time.
| Whisky | Type / serie | Flavor profile | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jefferson's Bourbon | Bourbon | Jefferson’s Bourbon is a brand for which a large part of its distillation, bottling and aging is performed at Kentucky Artisan Distillery; the distillery's facilities are used for the production and realization of several products under the Jefferson’s name. | |
| Whiskey Row Bourbon | Bourbon | Whiskey Row Bourbon is mentioned as one of the brands produced or handled at KAD through contract production and bottling facilities. | |
| Kentucky Artisan Distillery Series | Bourbon | KAD’s own series highlights traditional Kentucky distillation and the use of local, estate-grown grains as well as traditional mash bills. | Core range |
Visiting the distillery
Visits to Kentucky Artisan Distillery are possible on all days the facility is open. Tours are offered Tuesday–Saturday 10:00–16:00 and Sunday 12:00–16:00, typically lasting 45–60 minutes and including a tasting for adults. Admission prices are listed (adults $20, active military/veterans/first responders $10; children free without tasting). Tours take place indoors in working production areas, closed-toe shoes are recommended, and reservations are strongly encouraged. Private tours can be arranged on request.
The stated opening hours are Tuesday–Saturday 10:00–16:00, Sunday 12:00–16:00, closed Monday.
Philosophy and craft
Kentucky Artisan Distillery emphasizes the use of local, estate-grown raw materials and controlling the entire production chain at its own facility. The distillery's working method combines craft and contract production, giving brands access to facilities for distillation, aging and bottling in close collaboration with the distillery staff.