I’ve mentioned this before, but what I enjoy most about discovering new distilleries is getting to know the people behind the brands and learning their life stories. After a day spent exploring new travel spots, I often unwind by the fireplace, savoring a glass of bourbon I discovered that day while reflecting on the experiences and individuals I’ve encountered.
Recently, my wife and I embarked on our first trip through Western Kentucky, visiting several distilleries in the region. We were joined by our new friends Jay and Angie Ballard, who offer charming short-term rental cottages for visitors to the area’s bourbon distilleries. They also organize specialized bourbon-themed tours and have recently opened the Bourbon Country Welcome Center in Lawrenceburg. Our day spent with them exploring this part of the state and enjoying a variety of fantastic distilleries was truly memorable.
Jay and I had sampled a bourbon flight from The Bard a few weeks back, which included Cinder and Smoke, at his Welcome Center. This quickly became a favorite for both of us, making their distillery a key stop on our itinerary. The Bard is located in the small community of Graham in Muhlenberg County, which today has a population of around 1,000. Established in the early 1900s as a coal mining community, most of the original residents were employed at the W.G. Duncan Coal Company, owned by William Graham Duncan, after whom the town is named.
The Bard Distillery is the result of a shared passion for producing quality spirits by husband-and-wife team Thomas and Kim Bard. Their journey began in 2006 with a visit to Maker’s Mark, where they were inspired by Bill Samuels, a VIP tour guide and member of the Bourbon Hall of Fame. This experience ignited a passion that led them to acquire Graham’s old school campus in 2015 and begin renovations, culminating in the opening of their distillery in December 2019. The stunning grounds make the drive to this rural location worthwhile, and if you have the opportunity to meet Thomas and Kim during your visit—they are often on-site—you will be rewarded with engaging conversation and a glimpse of their passion firsthand.
Interestingly, the century-old distillery campus served as a school for four generations of Bards, concluding with Thomas in the early 2000s. If the Bard family name sounds familiar, it should: Thomas is a direct descendant of William Bard, who, along with his brother David, founded Bardstown—now known as the Bourbon Capital of the World—in 1780.
Thomas and Kim are both bright and passionate about their craft, and their enthusiasm is evident the moment they introduce themselves. Kim holds a master’s degree in Educational Administration and has served as a school principal in Louisiana. In contrast, Thomas has a degree in mechanical engineering and is a certified Six Sigma Black Belt—a credential essential for designing, developing, and managing high-functioning teams and services. These skills are invaluable in the distillation and production of spirits. Their paths first crossed when Kim competed in the NASCAR Busch Series, with Thomas as her crew chief. This fascinating story makes for perfect conversation with friends over cocktails on a beautiful evening.
However, their narrative extends beyond the picturesque distillery nestled in a charming town; Thomas and Kim produce award-winning bourbon. Serious bourbon. A quick online search reveals accolades from Fred Minnick’s American Spirits Council of Tasters (ASCOT) and the prestigious John Barleycorn Awards. I had the pleasure of having Thomas and Kim sign a bottle of their Founders Select bourbon, which won double gold in 2022. While tasting it at their distillery was a remarkable experience, the signed bottle now sits on my display shelf instead of in my Glencairn glass. I may need to reconsider my policy of keeping signed bottles for display only.
Thomas passionately shared the story behind aging and monitoring their new release, Cinder & Smoke Excelsior 17-Year-Old Bourbon, and his enthusiasm was both rare and infectious. This bourbon spent 13 years in its original American oak cask, followed by 2.5 years in new American oak, and was finished in new French oak for an additional 1.5 years. After concluding his tale, he revealed a secret stash of three bottles reserved for family—out of a total production of only 410 bottles—and opened one for us to experience the essence of his passion. I can honestly say it ranks among my top five bourbons of all time, so serious connoisseurs should seek out a bottle before they disappear. Need more proof? This bourbon won Double Platinum and Best Small Batch Bourbon (11 Years and Older) in the ASCOT competition and received Double Gold at the Barleycorn Awards.
They have recently installed a new Vendome column still, which will significantly increase their production capacity. Look for more innovations and awards from this talented team. The distillery is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is located in the Central Time Zone. It is about one and a half hours due west of Bardstown or an hour northwest of Bowling Green.
Mark Meade is the author of The Bourbon Journey, a travel guide that highlights our iconic bourbon distilleries and the experience of bourbon tourism. This column serves as a natural extension of the book. All rights reserved. For questions or comments, contact the author at [email protected].
