After 98 years of dormancy, the Kentucky Peerless Distilling Company is once again open for business. The father and son team of Corky and Carson Taylor have been thinking about re-starting the distillery for years. After Corky’s retirement as CEO of Bencor he got bored with retirement and decided to start the modern version of Peerless Distilling Company.
The family started the planning and dreaming process about three years ago. As of March 4, 2015 Peerless actually started barreling their first rye and bourbon. Their Peerless Rye will be ready 2017 – 100 years after closing their doors in 1917, and Peerless bourbon will be ready in 2019. In the meantime, they will be selling their moonshine under the name Kentucky Lucky Moonshine starting in late June.
Take a close look at the letters and numbers on the front of the building and you’ll notice DSP-KY-50. That stands for Distilled Spirits Plant number 50. The Taylor’s were able to work with the TTB – Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau to trace their family lineage back and put that same number back to work. A new license assigned today would be in the 20,000s. One more piece in the puzzle for their family folklore.
The distillery opens to the public starting June 4, 2015. Tours will be offered every half hour from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. The cost is $12 for adults and $6 for seniors and children ages 10 to 17. Tours are free to kids under 10 and active duty military. The distillery is located at 120 N. 10th Street, Louisville, KY 40202 .
A Family History Story Shared by Corky Taylor at the Grand Opening
“My Great Grandfather Henry Kraver bought a distillery in 1889 in Henderson, Kentucky. WHen he bought it, it was making 20 barrels a day when he shut it down in 1917 it was making 200 barrels a day. He was one of the largest distilleries in the state of Kentucky. In 1917 he obtained a medicinal license and was able to sell 53,000 barrels of bourbon. Some that he had in Henderson and most of it that he was hiding in Owensboro, Kentucky. People say that all bourbon is for medicinal purposes. I don’t know if that’s right or now but we hope that will be true.” ~ Corky Taylor
The Mayor of “Whiskey Row” Pounding the Bung. See you again in four years!
Louisville, Kentucky Mayor Greg Fischer had the pleasure of pounding the bung into the ceremonial Grand Opening barrel of bourbon. Judging from the way he was swinging the hammer I would say the Mayor of “Whiskey Row” has done this before!
Photo Gallery of Opening Day
