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The new Kentucky Owl campus will be surrounded by water, which will be used by the new site in a number of different ways.

Kentucky Owl Park: A Sneak Preview

December 13, 2021 –––––– Zak Kostro , , , ,

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Kentucky Owl Park, Kentucky

Project type, construction started, estimated investment, expected completion.

Kentucky Owl Park is being developed on a 170ha site in Bardstown.

Shigeru Ban Architects is designing the new distillery. Image courtesy of PRNewswire/ Stoli Group.

Foundation stone for the Kentucky Owl Park was laid in November 2017.

Stoli Group is constructing the Kentucky Owl Park, a new distillery, in Kentucky, US.

Estimated to cost $150m, Kentucky Owl Park will involve the conversion of a former Creek Quarry into a distillery, which will produce bourbon. It will comprise the distillery, visitor centre, and a bottling centre, in addition to rick houses and a restaurant.

Ground-breaking of the new distillery was conducted in November 2017 while operations are anticipated to be started in 2020.

Kentucky Owl Park location

Kentucky Owl Park will be located on the 420-acre (170ha) Haydon Materials Quarry in Louisville, Bardstown, Kentucky.

Kentucky Owl Park development phases

The new distillery will be home to the company’s newly created American Whiskey Division. It is expected to produce brown liquors and expand the product portfolio of Stoli, which is mainly focused on manufacturing vodka.

Kentucky Owl Park is being developed in two phases, with the first phase involving the construction of a station building and a reception facility. The facilities to be developed will also include a distillation facility, an aged storage, and a bottling facility.

The second phase development will include the construction of a multi-purpose hall and a gallery.

Kentucky Owl Park design details

Designed by Shigeru Ban Architects, Kentucky Owl Park will feature three pyramid-shaped buildings rooted in industrial vernacular design. To be sited within the natural rustic landscape, the buildings will use diamond-shaped wood components and glass panels, as well as reflect the visual elements of the local bourbon-making process.

The quarry pits present on the site will be converted into crystal-clear lakes with limestone-filtered water.

The facility is proposed to irrigate large-capacity lakewater and use water and power as heat sources for bourbon production. A leisure and migratory garden is being developed to help the visitors relax.

A vintage dinner train is also proposed to be halted at the project site, allowing the visitors to have a look at the must-see destination. It will be a part of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, along with other distilleries.

Kentucky Owl’s product portfolio

Kentucky Owl manufactures a variety of beverages such as Confiscated, Batch numbers 1 to #9, and three Ryes 1 to 3.

Launched in April 2019, the Confiscated brand holds a taste of graham crackers, citrus, toffee, and muted sweet cinnamon spice. The combination also includes white grape notes and a hint of cayenne.

The Bourbon #9 was launched in October 2019 and is prepared with notes of apple, white grape, cinnamon roll, maple candy, vanilla, and rick oak. The whisky will be a mix of honey, honeysuckle, tea, citrus, caramel, and pepper.

Contractors involved

Earthscape was engaged as the design landscape architect while Joseph & Joseph Architects was included in the project development team.

Marketing commentary on Kentucky Owl

Charles Mortimer Dedman formed Kentucky Owl in 1879 while Dixon Dedman developed it. After releasing its first batch in 2014, Kentucky Owl was acquired by Stilo Group in 2017.

Established in 1938, Stoli Group began its operations with the Stolichnaya brand. The signature brands of the company include Stolichnaya Premium Vodka range, elit Vodka, Bayou Rum, Cenote Tequila, KAH Tequila, Se Busca Mezcal, Achaval-Ferrer from Argentina, and Arinzano wines from Spain.

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Taste Test: Kentucky Owl’s Newest Bourbon Lives Up to the Cult Whiskey’s Unicorn Status

A new master blender hasn't slowed this distiller down., jonah flicker, jonah flicker's most recent stories, taste test: wild turkey’s new whiskey isn’t flashy, but it’s the best rye this distillery has released, hennessy’s new master blender selection cognac is one of its best, jim beam’s newest little book whiskey leans into the power of rye.

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Overall, this is a very satisfying whiskey that continues the trajectory of previous Kentucky Owl batches, and is proof that Rhea is doing everything he can to keep the unicorn status of the brand alive and kicking. And yes, the same people that balked at paying $400 (or much more on the secondary market) for a bottle of bourbon that Dedman blended will feel similarly about this new whiskey. To be fair, it’s kind of a hard sell—except I guess it really isn’t because the reality is that people snap up bottles like this as soon as they hit the shelves. Based on flavor alone, this is an excellent bourbon that is great for sipping and has layers of flavor. As far as its value and worth, that’s a judgment call you’ve got to make based on your means and appetite because there are plenty of other options out there. But if you do decide to take the plunge, you won’t be disappointed with this new high-end bourbon.

What Our Score Means

• 100: Worth trading your first born for
• 95 – 99 In the Pantheon: A trophy for the cabinet
• 90 – 94 Great: An excited nod from friends when you pour them a dram 
• 85 – 89 Very Good: Delicious enough to buy, but not quite special enough to chase on the secondary market
• 80 – 84 Good: More of your everyday drinker, solid and reliable
• Below 80 It’s alright: Honestly, we probably won’t waste your time and ours with this 

Every week Jonah Flicker tastes the most buzzworthy and interesting whiskeys in the world. Check back each Friday for his latest review .

Flicker is currently Robb Report's whiskey critic, writing a weekly review of the most newsworthy releases around. He is a freelance writer covering the spirits industry whose work has appeared in…

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The Wiseman Bourbon

Capsule review.

Classification : Straight Bourbon

Company : Stoli Group

Distillery : Bardstown Bourbon Company/Undisclosed distillery[ies] in Kentucky

Release Date : September 2021

Proof : 90.8

Age : NAS (Blend of 4 year, 5.5 year, and 8.5 year bourbons)

Mashbill : Undisclosed

Color : Rusty Gold

MSRP : $60 (2021)

Official Website

Caramel | Grass | Roasted peanut | Gentle rye spice | Light curry | Overall soft & airy

Toffee | Caramel | Cereal grain | Muted raspberry | Dry oak

Rye spice | Leather | Lingering light dryness | Touch of ethanol

Kentucky Owl has been undergoing a drastic change recently. Former owner and longtime handler Dixon Dedman, left the company in April. In his place, former Four Roses’ chief operating officer and Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Famer John Rhea took over master blender duties. This is all on the heels of Stoli Group purchasing the company in 2017 and announcing a $150 million Kentucky Owl “bourbon park,” which is still in the planning stages. Following Kentucky Owl Confiscated in 2019, this is only the brand’s second addition to their portfolio outside of the standard bourbon and rye releases since they launched in 2014. The Wiseman Bourbon is an interesting release as it features bourbon Kentucky Owl contract distills with Bardstown Bourbon Company. Their 4 year old wheat and high-rye bourbons are then blended with 5.5 year and 8.5 year old Kentucky-sourced bourbons. The result is a traditional tasting bourbon that features quite a bit of spice, surprising bouts of dryness, and a general lack of excitement. It also features hints of age throughout, yet those are quickly followed by cereal grain or light ethanol. It’s a very serviceable bourbon that doesn’t do anything to offend, and kind of just is .

Written By: Eric Hasman

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16 Must-visit Kentucky Distilleries

These Kentucky distilleries offer tours, tastings, and more for the ultimate trip through Bourbon Country.

Elizabeth Rhodes is a special projects editor at Travel + Leisure , covering everything from luxury hotels to theme parks to must-pack travel products. Originally from South Carolina, Elizabeth moved to New York City from London, where she started her career as a travel blogger and writer.

Most of the world's bourbon comes from Kentucky. All of the big bourbon names are here: Jim Beam, Woodford Reserve, Maker's Mark, Wild Turkey. The state's natural environment and weather are perfect for growing corn, an essential ingredient in bourbon, and distilling, so when spirit-savvy European immigrants settled in Kentucky in the 1700s, it was a match made in whiskey heaven.

Now, hundreds of years later, people can visit the state to experience the top Kentucky distilleries — some which have been crafting spirits for generations — including those along the Kentucky Bourbon Trail , a route with 42 distilleries offering tastings and tours.

Kentucky distillery tours, tastings, and experiences show visitors how spirits are made. Tour-goers walk away with a better grasp on the process, a more refined palate, and probably a few bottles to take home. Those looking for a well-rounded whiskey experience should start their journey at the Kentucky Bourbon Trail Welcome Center in Louisville. Here, visitors can learn more about bourbon history and plot their distillery stops.

Make Louisville your home base for a multiday trip along the trail — the city is home to its own Urban Bourbon Trail . The bars on it serve at least 60 kinds of bourbon and have trained staff who can answer questions, so you're sure to leave Kentucky with a new appreciation for the brown spirit.

Here are 16 Kentucky distilleries all bourbon fans should visit — and don't worry, some even offer gin or vodka for those hoping for variety.

Wild Turkey, Lawrenceburg

With an award-winning visitor center designed with the traditional silhouette of a Kentucky tobacco barn, a tasting room that looks out over the Kentucky River, and a gift shop selling souvenirs and Wild Turkey bourbon (of course), this is the perfect place to learn how the famous brand's spirits are made. You might even spot Hall of Fame distillers Jimmy and Eddie Russell hard at work.

Bulleit Distilling Co., Shelbyville

Bulleit Distilling Co. opened its distillery to visitors in 2017, making it a relatively new addition to the Kentucky distillery scene, but the bourbon made here is based on family tradition dating back to the 1800s. A "high-rye recipe" sets the spirit apart from others in Kentucky Bourbon Country. Stop at the Shelbyville distillery to give it a taste and learn about the brand's history through an interactive, multisensory experience.

James B. Beam Distilling Co., Clermont

Jim Beam is one of the most recognizable names in Kentucky bourbon, which makes the James B. Beam Distilling Co. a must-experience for many. The distillery is located in Clermont, where the first Jim Beam was distilled in the late 18th century. Guests can take a tour, dine on Kentucky burgoo and hot honey fried chicken in The Kitchen Table Restaurant, and sample its signature cocktails at the bar.

Maker's Mark Distillery, Loretto

An iconic brand known for its red wax-dipped bottles, the Maker's Mark Distillery in Loretto is a National Historic Landmark. It also claims to be the largest distillery in the world and the first in Kentucky's Bourbon Country. On tours, guests can learn about the history of the brand, dating back to the 1950s, its makers, and its centuries-old recipe. You can even Make Your Mark by hand-dipping a bottle to take home in the classic red wax at the DIY dipping station.

Woodford Reserve Distillery, Versailles

Visit Woodford Reserve's historic distillery in Versailles for tours and tastings in a beautiful pastoral environment speckled with pre-Prohibition warehouses and made serene by trickling Glenn’s Creek. Another National Historic Landmark, the distillery is where Woodford Reserve says the "art of making fine bourbon first took place" in 1812.

Buffalo Trace Distillery, Frankfort

This family-owned distillery has traditions dating back to the late 1700s. Now a National Historic Landmark, Buffalo Trace Distillery welcomes whiskey drinkers to sip and learn about the history of bourbon production on a tour. It's not all about the brown beverage here, either: Buffalo Trace also makes some tasty vodkas and refreshing sodas.

Four Roses Distillery, Lawrenceburg

Take a tour or enjoy a guided tasting at this Lawrenceburg distillery . Built in 1910, the unique Spanish mission-style facility is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, so you can enjoy a history lesson while learning about Four Roses' unique recipes. After your tour, you can sit down with a seasonal cocktail at Bar 1888 (fun fact: 1888 was the year "Four Roses" became trademarked).

Angel's Envy Distillery, Louisville

Located on Louisville's Whiskey Row, this distillery offers unique tours and tasting experiences. The Bottle Your Own Single Barrel option, for example, gives visitors the chance to bring home a bottle they filled themselves. Besides tours, you can also take courses here, including a fun Manhattan or rye cocktail-making class that puts you behind the bar.

Castle & Key Distillery, Frankfort

Often regarded as one of the best distilleries in the country, Castle & Key offers tours and tastings in the Old Taylor Distillery in Frankfort. The Castle itself stands as the main attraction, but the grounds also include a sunken garden and beautiful springhouse. Exploring the property is as fun as tasting the bourbon in a cocktail from Counter 17. And if you tire of bourbon (hey, it happens), then try a Castle & Key-distilled gin or vodka instead.

Bardstown Bourbon Company, Bardstown

This innovative distillery , located on 100 acres in a small town south of Louisville, offers experiences ranging from blind tastings and blending demonstrations to food pairings and mixology classes. There's also an on-site restaurant with boozy milkshakes, poutine, chicharrónes, and bourbon-spiked bread pudding.

Green River Distilling Co., Owensboro

Learn how whiskey goes from grain to barrel, partake in a custom called barrel "thieving" (tasting bourbon straight from the barrel), or sit with the experts at Green River Distilling Co. while you sip. The distillery is in Owensboro, just across the Ohio River from Indiana. Without a tour, you'll still have a great experience sampling a flight at the cocktail lounge.

Heaven Hill Bourbon Experience, Bardstown

Founded in 1935, Heaven Hill Distillery maintains more than a million barrels aging in 60 warehouses across Kentucky for a portfolio of brands. Go for a tour at Heaven Hill Bourbon Experience, in the maker's birthplace of Bardstown, for a behind-the-scenes look at its production process, stroll through the on-site museum, and enjoy a tasting at the Five Brothers Bar.

James E. Pepper Distillery, Lexington

Named for the Kentucky colonel and third-generation distiller who advocated for his family's whiskey recipe in the 1800s, the James E. Pepper Distillery reopened in 2018 after being dormant for half a century. Now at the heart of the Lexington Distillery District, it welcomes bourbon lovers in for tastings and a casual history lesson on the distillery, the family, its ties to horse racing, and how the American Revolution played a role in Pepper-made bourbon.

Limestone Branch Distillery, Lebanon

Keeping family bourbon and moonshine recipes alive for more than 200 years, Limestone Branch is run by a couple of seventh-generation distillers. The Lebanon location is a tranquil place to visit for an old-fashioned tour and a cocktail of the highest quality from the Minor's Lounge on site. It's particularly worthwhile if you also have an interest in gin, as the clear spirit is produced here, too.

Old Forester Distilling Co., Louisville

Take a tour of Old Forester 's Whiskey Row facility to learn how the 1870-founded brand ferments, distills, matures, and bottles its bourbon. Per usual, each tour ends with a tasting. However, if you miss out — this place gets busy and books tours months in advance — you'll still walk away with a higher whiskey IQ after trying the bourbon varieties at George's Bar.

Kentucky Peerless Distilling Company, Louisville

Housed in a former tobacco warehouse at the end of Whiskey Row in downtown Louisville, Kentucky Peerless is really into making rye whiskey, but it also does bourbon. A visit to the distillery can be enhanced by a guided tasting, distillery tour, or private VIP Heritage Experience. A bonus to your visit: meeting the distillery cat, aptly named Rye.

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Kentucky Owl Maighstir Edition

OVERALL RATING

Whiskey Review: Kentucky Owl Maighstir Edition

• by Jeffrey Nitschke
• November 2, 2023

Tasting Notes:

Editor’s Note: This whiskey was provided to us as a review sample by the party behind it. This in no way, per our editorial policies , influenced the final outcome of this review. It should also be noted that by clicking  the buy link  in this review our site receives a small referral payment which helps to support, but not influence, our editorial and other costs.  

As a young whiskey reviewer, it has been my privilege to learn about the tremendous women working in the spirits industry. From trying some of the best drams Scotch has to offer by Dr. Rachel Barrie , to learning about the investments major distilleries have made to promote careers for women in whiskey, to reviewing whiskey from female led brand Milam & Greene , I have had a small window into the growing equity in a field historically dominated by men. 

This is by no means isolated to whiskey personnel. Currently, women make up around 30% of bourbon/whiskey drinkers, a number which continues to grow at a rapid pace, as exemplified in my good friend Mere Smith of the Austin Scotch club who told me: “I love Scotch!” (expletives omitted).  

It is then my good fortune to review the first whiskey released from Kentucky Owl  by new Master Blender Maureen Robinson, in collaboration with the retiring Master Blender John Rhea: the Kentucky Owl Maighstir Edition. Ms. Robinson is a 45 year veteran of the spirits conglomerate Diageo, and one of the first women to hold the title of Master Blender. Ms. Robinson has blended well known brands such as Johnnie Walker and Singleton and was honored by the Scotch community with the award “Master of the Quaich” in October 2022, one of the highest awards in the industry. 

As a huge fan of Scotch whisky, I was thrilled at the idea of a Scotch Master Blender at the helm of a premium craft bourbon brand, Kentucky Owl. Speaking on the Maighstir Edition, Ms. Robinson noted, “[o]ur latest limited edition release exemplifies the dedication of Kentucky Owl to offer Bourbon enthusiasts a glimpse into the world of Scotch whiskies…” A blend of 4, 5, 8, and 9 year-old bourbons, it “…has the citrus perfumed floral green notes with hints of sweetness and oak reminiscent of a lighter style Scotch but still keeping all the credentials of a bourbon.”

One theme Ms. Robinson hits on is the relatively narrow range of flavors typical bourbons focus on. For a category with tremendous potential for variation in finishing barrels, mash bills, temperature/location of aging barrels, bourbons consistently taste like, well, bourbon. The same cannot be said for Scotch whisky and Irish whiskey, with entries having tremendous variation in flavor, despite having (in most cases) a mash bill of 100% malted barley.

The Kentucky Owl Maighstir edition separates itself from other bourbons, mixing in more grassy and nutty notes than I encounter in most bourbons. Ms. Robinson is off to a great start. 

Tasting Notes: Kentucky Owl Maighstir Edition

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Vital Stats : A blend of 4yr, 5 yr, 8yr, and 9 yr bourbon; 100 Proof (50% ABV); $150/750ml.

Appearance : Pale-orange amber.

Nose : Hints of lemongrass float in-between strong odors of toasted cedar and unroasted coffee beans. If I’m not mistaken, there is a slight medicinal note of surgical spirit, which is a common and welcome note to many Scotch whiskies. 

Palate : A surprisingly light opening of fruit zest gets quickly pushed out by hefty oak and cardamom spice. Cherry blossoms and malt can be noted before the finish flattens out to bitter orange rind, roasted hazelnuts, and almonds, which lingers long after the dram is gone.  

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Review: Kentucky Owl Maighstir Edition Bourbon

Kentucky Owl’s parade of odd collaborations continues with the even more oddly titled Maighstir Edition, which is a joint production of Kentucky Owl’s Maureen Robinson and John Rhea. While Rhea was most recently the COO of Four Roses, he has been at Kentucky Owl for the last two years, with Robinson presently taking over. That means this is kind of an internal collaboration — not that we’re going to hold that against them. Robinson is Scottish and Rhea is American, so there’s a bit more of the gimmick there.

“Maighstir” (pronounced may-stir) is Gaelic for “Master.” As for what’s in the bottle, it’s designed based on Robinson’s “Scotch whisky blending skills,” and is made from a mix of 4, 5, 8, and 9 year old Kentucky Straight Bourbons, all sourced, with mashbills variously containing wheat and/or rye — making this a four-grain experience.

The goal here was to create something softer than the usual Kentucky bourbon fare, and I would say on that front it’s a rousing success. Decidedly light on the nose, the experience offers aromas that you might associate with bolder single malts — sesame seed and fresh malt, backed up with more than a little peanut shell to remind you that you are about to enjoy some bourbon, not a glass of Scotch.

All of these elements make a sustained impact on the palate, with those peanut notes dominating. Classic vanilla and some barrel char elements come into focus, then caramel corn and a layer of baking spice. Light and airy, the whiskey pushes through waves of gentle spice notes and some earth en route to a mild finish that again recalls sesame cookies tinged with a bit of green underbrush.

What then to make of all this? Fans of big bourbons will find it surprisingly innocent and shrug-worthy — drinking much more like a 4 year old than a 9 year old — but Scotch drinkers interested in branching out into what Kentucky has to offer may be much more charitable. I’m a bit on the fence as I can see its many well-crafted charms — but I will say that at $150, it’s an awfully tough sell.

B+ / $150 / kentuckyowlbourbon.com [ BUY IT NOW FROM CASKERS ]

Kentucky Owl Maighstir Edition Bourbon

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Christopher Null is the founder and editor in chief of Drinkhacker. A veteran writer and journalist, he also operates Null Media, a bespoke content creation company.

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DRINK KENTUCKY OWL® RESPONSIBLY. Kentucky Owl® Straight Bourbon Whiskey. 59% Alc./Vol. (118 proof). Kentucky Owl® Straight Rye Whiskey. 55.3% Alc./Vol. (110.6 proof). Stoli Group USA, LLC, New York, NY © 2021. All rights reserved. Kentucky Owl®, the Owl device, THE WISEMAN’s™ bourbon, all taglines or visual properties associated therewith are trademarks or registered trademarks of SPI Group S.à.r.l.

KENTUCKY OWL®

Beyond the label.

Each Kentucky Owl Bourbon Batch Release is made from some of the finest bourbon in Kentucky and bottled to bring out the most desirable bourbon flavor. Every new batch is an original with its own unique taste profile, carefully crafted by Master Blender John Rhea. These highly sought after, artfully blended, craft bourbons have become an instant sensation and every batch sells out almost solely by word of mouth.

Batch #11 is a unique blended whiskey utilizing very particular well-aged, bold Bourbons ranging from 6 to 14 years old.

59.4% ABV- 118.8 Proof

Scent and flavor

• Nose An immediate tingle in the nose from the combined rye grains in the bourbons and their age. Followed by a smooth caramel and vanilla pause. Lastly, comes a mild and gentle chocolate vanilla oak.
• Palate The spiciness of the combined bourbon grains, along with the tannins in the wood barrel tingle the mouth with flavor. Followed by a soft flow of bourbon vanilla tea and soft wine.
• Finish Mild as the tingle fades, with a soft apple lingering in the throat.

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Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey.

Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey

Confiscated

Mardi Gras XO Cask

St. Patrick’s Edition

Takumi Edition

Maighstir Edition

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Oxmoor Bourbon Co. Launches Tour & Tasting Experience at Kentucky’s Historic 18th Century Oxmoor Farm

• Posted on May 18, 2024
• By Distillery Trail

Oxmoor Farm is Louisville , Kentucky’s oldest continuously working farm. Oxmoor Farm began as a 1000+ acre farm in 1787 and has been home to five generations of the Bullitt family. In addition to the historic farm, it is also now home to Oxmoor Bourbon Company , a new brand of Kentucky bourbon sourced from various Kentucky distilleries and then blended and bottled under the palette of General Manager Rosser Lomax.

Today, Oxmoor Farm sits on 79.32 acres on a preservation easement with Kentucky Heritage Council which is the part of the property that the historic structures are located. In addition, there are 260 undeveloped acres around the preservation easement, most of which is still farmland where corn, soybean and wheat are cultivated.

Beginning in June 2024 the 227-year-old property will open its doors to a new chapter in bourbon history. Oxmoor Bourbon Co. will begin offering a first-of-its-kind Bourbon-focused historical tour and tasting experience that honors the Bullitt family’s incomparable influence on America’s only native spirit, Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey.

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Oxmoor Bourbon Co. tastings will take place in the 60’ by 28’ library that is home to some 10,000 books. One of the largest private collections in the U.S. When touring, you’ll soon discover this is a truly magical room. As Stacey Yates CMO of Louisville Tourism put it in the video below, “I can’t imagine a more beautiful place… this is gorgeous… I feel like Belle in Beauty and the Beast when visiting here.”

Oxmoor Farm was approved for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places in 1976. When visiting the estate, guests are greeted with a driveway lined with ancient locust trees. The property includes an 18th century log cabin that dates back to the earliest Bullitt ancestors who are also buried on the property. The entire mansion is covered by a slate roof.

5 Generations of Bullitt Family Legacy

“The family and team behind Oxmoor is passionate about sharing the legacy of Oxmoor Farm with visitors from across the globe,” said Nora “Tooey” Leake Cameron, a descendent of the Bullitt family. “I’m thrilled to see the continuation of my family’s legacy and excited to honor the rich history of Bourbon and the Bullitt passion for welcoming guests to our home to enjoy our native spirit.”

Oxmoor Farm has long been renowned for its historical estate tours and is now proud to offer a unique new experience that explores the Bullitt family’s significant role in Bourbon history. Tours of Oxmoor Farm are paired with a unique Bourbon tasting experience unlike any other in Kentucky. Guests will see the original section of the family home, built in 1791, and then journey through the various additions made over the years, concluding in the final section, completed in 1928, which features the family’s incredible 10,000 book library.

Along the way, guests will enjoy a multitude of sensory experiences, including a sampling of a historically specific specialty cocktails that the family would’ve served their honored guests throughout the years.

“It has been an honor to cultivate and preserve the history of Oxmoor Farm and I’m so excited to share what we’ve learned with our guests,” said Shirley Harmon, Curator and Historian at Oxmoor Farm.

“For years, we’ve taken pride in our historical tours, demonstrating the significance of the history that sits quietly in Louisville’s own backyard. This unique new experience is not a brand-focused Bourbon or distillery tour like you’ll find elsewhere in Kentucky, this is a walk through the history of Bourbon and the events that made the spirit what it is today.”

The fourth generation of the Bullitt family famously produced Oxmoor Kentucky Whiskey, one of the last Kentucky Bourbons made legally in the United States before Prohibition took effect in 1920. It was crafted from a select batch of fine-aged stock barrels for the family’s private collection. This spirit is meant to be shared, as the family had traditionally done with their Private Stock releases for so many years, offering a rare opportunity to take a sip of history and honor the legacy of Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey and Oxmoor Farm.

“Bourbon is a pillar of Kentucky culture, and we owe much of it to the work of one family of legal scholars over nearly three centuries of history.” said Tim Knittel, Adjunct Professor of Bourbon Studies at Midway University.

“We’ve dedicated so much thoughtful time and energy to reviving this amazing product and to honoring Oxmoor Farm’s unique place in the history of Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. With it, we’re confident that Bourbon lovers, history buffs, and tourists alike can step into the past, enjoy a fine Kentucky Bourbon, and get a sense for what life was like at the birth of Kentucky’s signature industry.”

Defining and Defending Bourbon

The U.S. has been fine tuning the definition for bourbon and whiskey nearly as long as the country has existing. In the late 19th century and the early 20th century, Bullitt family legal scholars helped craft many of the foundational pieces that define Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. This includes their work in the formation of the Kentucky Distillers Association (1880), the Distillers & Cattle Feeders (1887) which would later become the Kentucky Distilleries & Warehousing Co. (1895) and finally the Kentucky Whiskey Interest (1899) plus the adoption of the Bottled-in-Bond Act (1897), the Pure Food & Drug Act (1906), and the Taft Decision (1909).

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Bourbon Release, Tastings and Tours Begin June 2024

Oxmoor Bourbon Company invites guests to enjoy a piece of that history at Oxmoor Farm with tours beginning in June 2024. After the tour and tasting guests my purchase bottles of Oxmoor Bourbon Company’s Private Stock Whiskey releases.

This latest Oxmoor Bourbon Release was sourced from two different distilleries. Lomax didn’t share the distillery names but did say it was a blend of Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskies from Owensboro, Kentucky and Frankfort, Kentucky. This Vol. 3, First Edition, non-chill filtered, small batch barrel strength bourbon is bottled at 119 proof (59.5% ABV). It is only available at Oxmoor Farms after tours with a suggested retail price of $55.00. Additional purchase options are expected to be added at a later date.

Bullitt v. Bulleit – If you are a bourbon fan you may be wondering about this somewhat familiar name in American whiskey. Is the Oxmoor Farm Bullitt family related to Bulleit Frontier Whiskey? No. The Bullitt family and Bullet Frontier Whiskey are spelled different and are two completely different families.

Learn more about Oxmoor Bourbon Company . View all Louisville Distilleries . View all  Kentucky Distilleries . View all  U.S. Distilleries .

How and When Did ‘Oxmoor Farm’ Get its Name?

The Bullitt family named the estate back in 1787 about the time the property was purchased. According to Samuel W. Thomas’ 1989 paper, Oxmoor: The Bullitt House in Jefferson County, Kentucky , “When Alexander Scott Bullitt made his initial purchase of 1,200 acres adjoining A’Sturgus Station in 1787, according to the deed, it was already “commonly called and known by the name of Oxmoor.” In literary history, Oxmoor is the “fine, large, whinny, undrained, unimproved common, belonging to the Shandy-estate,” described by Laurence Sterne in The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman (1759-1767).”

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