History

MB Roland Distillery operates under the motto Resurrecting History, One Barrel at a Time. The company was founded in 2009 by Paul Tomaszewski and Merry Beth (MB) Roland, and the distillery has since produced all of the site’s drops on-site in Pembroke, Christian County, Kentucky. They have never sourced outside of whiskey and follow a pre-Prohibition style in distillation. The distillery describes itself as grain-to-glass and works with Kentucky-grown grains to revive the history of bourbon and whiskey from an era when craftsmanship and locally grown grain were at the center.

Production/Manufacturing

MB Roland follows a Grain-To-Glass philosophy with Kentucky-grown grains and local suppliers. They use grain varieties such as white corn and red winter wheat, and the malt comes from South Fork Malthouse in Cynthiana. The malted barley also comes from South Fork Malthouse, while rye is supplied by Walnut Grove Farms in Logan County. All oak and barrels for aging come from Kelvin Cooperage in Louisville. The company distills using double-pot distillation and does not use chill filtration (non-chill filtered). The entire production takes place on-site in Pembroke since 2009, and they follow a pre-Prohibition style in both grain, distillation, and aging.

Products/Whiskey Series

The portfolio includes several bourbons and whiskeys, with some of the mentioned products including: - MB Roland Single Barrel Bourbon — Pre-Prohibition Style, Single Barrel. ABV 53.1% (106.2 proof). - Old 2nd District — Bourbon, 50% ABV (100 proof). - Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (Wheated Mash) — 51-55% ABV (102-110 proof). - Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (Wheated Mash) – Single Barrel — 51-55% ABV (102-110 proof). - Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey — 51-55% ABV (102-110 proof). - Barker’s Mill Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey — 50% ABV (100 proof). - Kentucky Dark Fired Whiskey — 51-55% ABV (102-110 proof). - Dark Fired Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey — 51-55% ABV (102-110 proof). - Kentucky Straight Corn Whiskey — 51-55% ABV (102-110 proof). - Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey — 51-55% ABV (102-110 proof). - Kentucky Straight Malt Whiskey — ABV not listed in scraped content. - Kentucky Straight Wheat Whiskey — 51-55% ABV (102-110 proof). - Kentucky Mint Julep and other moonshine/spirit variants are listed as products in the portfolio, but are not necessarily whiskey.

Visits/Experiences

MB Roland offers guided tours and distillery experiences, including a Stavesman program with membership that provides early access to news, events, and 15% off in the shop. There are also Private Barrel Picks, where you can host private barrel picks at the distillery with a guided tasting and the possibility of customized labels/engraving. The company welcomes tours and tastings as part of their visitor program.

Philosophy

MB Roland Distillery emphasizes Grain-To-Glass, Kentucky-grown grains, Double-Pot Distilled, and Non-Chill Filtered, all as part of a pre-Prohibition style. Their aim is to preserve and recreate the history behind Kentucky bourbon and whiskey by controlling the entire chain from grain to bottle at their own facility. They emphasize local roots and community engagement through donations and events.