After retirement, Corky Taylor spent nearly two years wandering on the beach and got bored out of his mind. That is when he decided it was time to restart a family business that had been shut down in the early 20 century because of grain shortages during the war and Prohibition. Not knowing anything about building or operating a distillery he and his son Carson decided to revive a family legacy and build a distillery. The result of that idea is Kentucky Peerless Distilling Co. in Louisville, Kentucky .
Now, nearly 10 years later, Corky Taylor has been recognized by his peers for his achievements in the spirits industry with his induction into the Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame.
Watch the video to hear all about how Corky got into the distilling business, his family history and the keyword his father taught him about life and business.
- Introduction by Kentucky Distillers’ Association President Eric Gregory
- R.M. Corky Taylor shares his family’s story about the distilling industry in Henderson, Kentucky dating back to the 1800s to today. The key word to this story and the life lesson his father taught him was ‘respect’.
- Hear closing remarks from Gregory and how the Taylor family ended up in Henderson, Kentucky.
Corky’s Father Taught Him a Simple One Word Message on the Key to Success in Business – Respect
“My father passed away 49 years ago Saturday,” explained Kentucky Peerless Distilling Co. Founder Corky Taylor. “The only time you could talk to him was after he had about three bourbon and sodas on a Friday night. So, I knew to go talk to him on a Friday night. He asked, ‘Would you ever want to get in business for yourself?’ I was 25 years old and I said yes I’d like to get into business for myself someday. He said, ‘Well, there’s only one word you got to follow. And if you follow this you are going to be successful. And that’s respect.’ He said, ‘You respect people, you talk to them, you look them in the eye, and you thank them for doing business with you.’ And I think I’ve followed that, I know I followed that in the financial services business and I really follow in the bourbon industry.
“My father said, ‘What you do is, whenever you go to work, I don’t care how big you are or how small you are, you go in there and you say hello to every employee who works with you. I don’t care what they do, you say hello to them. And everybody you do business with you thank them and tell them how much you appreciate them coming into your distillery.”
Stay Informed: Sign up here for the Distillery Trail free email newsletter and be the first to get all the latest news, trends, job listings and events in your inbox.
The 2024 Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame Welcomes Corky Taylor – Kentucky Peerless Distilling Company
R.M. Corky Taylor, 75, Henderson, Ky. A respected businessman throughout the country, Taylor retired from an accomplished career in financial services and focused on a lifelong dream – to resurrect his great-grandfather’s whiskey company. Taylor and his son spent countless hours poring over family history to bring back the Kentucky Peerless Distilling Co., originally owned by Henry Kraver in Henderson. He built back the family legacy in Louisville along historic Whiskey Row, gaining national recognition – and national awards – by patiently waiting for his whiskey to age, living up to the original quality Bourbon standards his ancestor first set in 1889.
Roy M. “Corky” Taylor III was born into a military family where he spent his early childhood surfing the shores of Hawaii. His father, Lieutenant Colonel Roy Taylor Jr., also known as “Ace,” was stationed there. After Ace’s retirement, the Taylors moved back to their hometown, Henderson, Kentucky. Corky’s Great-Grandfather and Founder of the original Kentucky Peerless Distillery, Henry Kraver, first planted roots there. Not long after, Corky attended Castle Heights Military Academy where he roomed with two boys who would come to be known as the Allman brothers.
After completing his college degree at Murray State University on a golf scholarship and marrying his wife Jamia, they had three children: Shane, Kendi and Carson. He took on diverse roles in businesses such as car dealerships, restaurants and insurance, but Corky was notably the Founder, President and CEO of BENCOR Inc., a financial services company that specialized in pension plans. BENCOR was “the definition of an industry leader,” stated Mark Skinner, U.S. Retirement Partners President and CEO upon the business’ sale in 2009.
Retirement, though, was not in the cards for Corky. His character would not allow it. After an already accomplished career, Corky and his son Carson set out to resurrect their family legacy: they started from the ground up and revived the Kentucky Peerless brand. They spent countless hours poring over family history to bring their heritage back in a strong, respectful way.
Corky’s great-grandfather was an innovator in the bourbon world, and Corky did not take the responsibility of reviving Peerless’ name lightly. When the family-owned brand was reestablished, he patiently waited for the Peerless whiskey to age, knowing he wanted to produce his own whiskey under his own roof. Peerless Rye Whiskey was the first to be introduced in 2017 and was immediately recognized nationwide. Then, as the Peerless Bourbon was released for the first time in over 100 years in 2019, it was named Best Kentucky Bourbon in the World Whiskies Awards. Since then, Corky has never let quality suffer to quantity. The purpose of Peerless was to live up to the standards his great-grandfather set in 1889.
Defined by integrity and honest work, Corky’s accomplishments are awarded to a deserving man – one that has worked and struggled and strived and succeeded. His incredible success does not overshadow his character. He continues his goodwill in supporting his local community in both Louisville and Henderson, Kentucky. His personality shines as he happily and excitedly greets customers visiting the distillery. When you meet Corky Taylor, you make a friend for life.
Corky Taylor Trivia Question
Like his Dad, Corky attended Castle Heights Military Academy in Tennessee.
Q: Who were some of Corky’s famous roommates?
Hint: The brothers sang and played one of the best southern rock songs of all time – Blue Sky.
Learn more about Kentucky Peerless Distilling Co.
View all Kentucky Distilleries.
View all Louisville Distilleries.
Please help to support Distillery Trail. Sign up for our Newsletter, like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram and Twitter.
