Less than a month after Thanksgiving, two members of the Kentucky Distillers’ Association have moved from the kids table to the adults table. Bardstown Bourbon Company located in Bardstown, The Bourbon Capital of the World, started distillation in September 2016 and Louisville Distilling Company, producers of Angel’s Envy, located on Whiskey Row in Louisville, started distillation in early 2016, have moved from Proof level members to Heritage members.
To qualify as a Heritage member, distilleries must have at least 25,000 barrels of distilled spirits aging in Kentucky warehouses. As Heritage members, Bardstown Bourbon Company and Louisville Distilling Company will have an expanded leadership role in the management of the association and the future of the iconic industry.
“It’s a rare accomplishment for a member company to achieve this lofty and legendary status, and this year we are celebrating two distilleries whose extraordinary growth in a short amount of time has elevated them to our highest standing,” Kentucky Distillers’ Association President Eric Gregory said. “For that, we raise a glass in their honor and salute their success.”
Rob Samuels, Chairman of Kentucky Distillers’ Association’s Board of Directors and Chief Distillery Officer at Maker’s Mark Distillery, joined Gregory in presenting the companies with commemorative barrel heads at the Association’s 138th Annual Meeting of Members earlier this month in Louisville.
Bardstown Bourbon Company Receives ‘Heritage’ Barrel Head
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Bardstown Bourbon Company President and CEO David Mandell thanked the KDA for its leadership and praised the organization’s ground-breaking legislative reforms that have opened the doors for the distillery to realize its vision of creating a “Napa Valley” style visitor experience.
“Thanks to the great work of the KDA, we’ve been able to create a truly unique foundation for our brand,” Mandell said. “It’s a real honor to join KDA leadership and continue to help elevate and secure a strong and prosperous future for Kentucky’s distilling industry.”
Gregory said, “Bardstown Bourbon Company joined the KDA just two years ago as a Craft-level member. Their extraordinary achievement in such a short amount of time is a testament to the investment David Mandell and his team have made in elevating and growing our signature spirit.”
Louisville Distilling Company Receives ‘Heritage’ Barrel Head
Also joining the KDA as a Craft-level member in 2016 was the Louisville Distilling Company, best known for its flagship Angel’s Envy brand, a Kentucky straight Bourbon whiskey aged in hand-selected port wine casks.
Founded in 2011 by Wes Henderson and his father, the late Lincoln Henderson, former Master Distiller at Brown-Forman, the Angel’s Envy Distillery is housed in the former Vermont American Building, a meticulously restored warehouse that takes up an entire city block in downtown Louisville.
“The growth we’ve experienced has, and continues to, exceed all expectations,” Wes Henderson said. “Louisville Distilling Company and Angel’s Envy are brands built on the foundation of family, and the KDA is an important part of our family. We look forward to growing alongside them.”
Gregory said, “Wes and his team, including sons Kyle and Andrew, have dedicated themselves to honoring the history and heritage of our beloved industry. We welcome them to the highest ranks of our organization with open arms.”
Kentucky Distillers’ Association Heritage Members
The two companies become the Associations 10th and 11th Heritage members. Here’s the entire list of Heritage members.
[table “” not found /]View all Bardstown Distilleries.
View all Louisville Distilleries.
View all Kentucky Distilleries.
Founded in 1880, the KDA is the state’s voice for Bourbon and spirits issues with 39 diverse members from legendary, global brands to emerging micro distilleries that are building the next generation of America’s only native spirit.
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