Many distilleries share a common narrative in their history: a thriving operation from decades or even centuries ago, a decline during Prohibition or challenging periods in the following decades, and a revival in recent years as bourbon has experienced a renaissance.
Boone County Distilling exemplifies this storyline. To appreciate its full history, we must go back to 1833, when William and John Snyder acquired the Petersburg Mill along the Ohio River in Boone County and transformed it into a distillery. For three decades, the operation thrived until the government seized its assets in 1861 due to unpaid debts. William Appleton, Snyder’s son-in-law, bought the distillery to settle these debts just as the Civil War began.
By 1880, the distillery had become the largest in Kentucky, but this success was short-lived. It ceased operations in 1910, and all the aging bourbon was sold off by 1918, marking the end of an era. Almost a century passed before distilling returned to the area.
In 2015, Jack Walls and Josh Quinn revived Boone County by establishing a state-of-the-art distillery and Visitors Center in Independence. They initially considered building in Petersburg but opted for their current location, just west of Interstates 71 and 75, due to fire safety concerns—the nearest fire department was about 20 minutes away from Petersburg.
The primary mash bill for their bourbons is composed of 75% corn, 21% rye, and 4% malted barley. During our visit, I enjoyed tasting their various labels and learning about their partnership with Steph Curry, the four-time NBA Champion and two-time MVP, who is also a bourbon enthusiast. His Gentleman’s Cut label, crafted with the same mash bill as other Boone County bourbons, is bottled at 90 proof from a blend of five to seven-year-old barrels.
Recently, they unveiled a stunning new Event Center designed for weddings, corporate gatherings, and social events. The WhiteHall Ballroom is a beautiful, rustic space that accommodates up to 150 seated guests, while the Veranda is perfect for smaller groups. The center features an outdoor pergola and private tasting rooms and a staff that is regarded as attentive and accommodating.
Are you interested in selecting and bottling your own private single barrel label? Their distilling team will present four barrels for tasting to help you make an informed choice. During our visit, we observed some recently selected barrels with plugs inserted after drilling. Tours are available from Tuesday to Sunday and conclude in their tasting room, which is lined with charred oak, just like their barrels.
