Whiskey Thief Distilling Co. in Frankfort, Kentucky is like no other distillery tour or visitor experience along the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. The family history doesn’t go back to the pre-prohibition days, there are no photos of the owners grandpappy making hooch out in the woods and being chased by a revenuer, and you’ll likely have a hard time finding their product on a store shelf outside of the distillery. Now, with all that said, a visit to this farm distillery located about 5 minutes off Interstate-64 should be on your bourbon bucket list. The visitor experience at Whiskey Thief is just plain fun.
Double Your Pleasure with a 2nd Whiskey Thief Location
And now, Whiskey Thief is expanding their fun zone with a second location in Louisville’s NULU neighborhood. Whiskey Thief Distilling (formerly Three Boys Farm Distillery) was acquired by Walter Zausch in 2022. The small farm distillery continues to make Kentucky bourbon and rye whiskey on their 500-gallon Vendome Copper & Brass Works pot still in Frankfort. The new destination located at 610 Nanny Goat Strut will allow urban visitors a chance to taste a variety of bourbon and rye whiskeys, uncut and unfiltered (the way it was meant to be enjoyed), straight from-the-barrel and use a whiskey thief to fill their own bottle to take home.
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“Our goal has been to be the best single barrel bourbon tasting experience in Kentucky,” says Whiskey Thief Distilling Co. Owner & CEO Walter Zausch. “That’s been our goal since we started Whiskey Thief Distilling Co. And now, by bringing that experience from Frankfort to Louisville, not only for the tourists but also the residence of Louisville, we wanted to create a place that you could come, have the experience of tasting out of the barrel, have a great cocktail, listen to some amazing music, and celebrate all of this art, all in one moment.
“The best way to drink bourbon, hands down, period, is straight out of the barrel, uncut, and unfiltered, the way nature intended. And that’s what we get to do every single day at Whiskey Thief Distilling Co.”
~ CEO & Owner Walter Zausch
“And that is what this place is all about. And I couldn’t be more happy, and overwhelmed that you are here to share it with us. As I said at our rebranding event (in 2022), ‘Winners have parties and losers have meetings’… so have a great night, have a cocktail, have some bourbon, fill a bottle and thank you very much for coming.”
Zausch, whose background is in technology and architecture, is a native of Henderson, Kentucky and graduate of the University of Kentucky. In his previous live, Zausch worked for Apple and Microsoft before returning to his home state in 2013.
“While living in California and visiting Napa and Sonoma wine country, I witnessed first-hand the unique experiences created by some of the wineries. With memories of those visits, we created an experience that is authentic, hands-on, and individual. We believe that the single best way to engage with Kentucky Bourbon is straight from the source.”
The one-to-one customer interaction offered by the team in Franklin County will also be showcased in Louisville. Whiskey Thief hand-picked and hired many of the former employees of Flying Axes, the former tenant at 610 Nanny Goat Strut, including Shane Hockersmith, who will manage the NuLu location for Whiskey Thief.
With a capacity of over 200 and a unique tasting experience that generates excitement, walk-ins will be welcomed in Louisville just as they are in Franklin County. “Because of the popularity of bourbon, it can be tough to reserve a tour at many distilleries around Kentucky without planning months in advance. People really appreciate the ability to walk onto our Franklin County farm without a booking. We will offer that same casual and relaxing experience in Louisville,” says Zausch.
What Will Whiskey Thief Distilling NULU Experience Offer?
A visit to Whiskey Thief Distilling in NULU will offer a straight-from-the-barrel, hands-on tasting and thieving experience from five barrels – typically four bourbons and one rye whiskey – that are always changing. “Barrel Tenders” will lead guests through the tastings, which, as Zausch explains, are customized to each person.
“If a guest wants to know every nuance of the proof and mash bill, we will thoughtfully guide them,” added Zausch. “However, if someone wants to casually taste and hang out, they are welcome to do so. We have a great time helping people create lasting Kentucky bourbon memories.”
“If guests want to take home their favorite bourbon tasted, they are invited to use a whiskey thief to fill a bottle straight from the barrel. “Whiskey Thief’s spirits are not distributed and are only available on the farm and now at the Louisville location.”
Additionally, a cocktail bar, indoor and outdoor seating areas with live music several days of the week, a private event space, and retail area will be available.
What does ‘NULU’ mean? Well, according to the NULU Business Association, the term NULU is a portmanteau meaning “New Louisville”. NuLu is the place for art, shopping, eating and playing. And now, imbibing in some fine Kentucky made spirits.
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Whiskey Thief Distilling Co. is the first and only Kentucky distillery to offer every visitor a unique, straight-from-the-barrel Bourbon tasting and thieving experience, uncut and unfiltered. Guests are invited to fill their own bottle of Kentucky Bourbon and rye whiskey straight from the barrel, at barrel strength. Distilling for over a decade on their 127-acre working farm in Franklin County, Kentucky, Whiskey Thief Distilling Co. celebrates single-barrel bourbons and whiskeys distillated from grain grown on-site.
Learn more about Whiskey Thief Distilling Co.
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