The Kentucky Owl Collection

Established in 1879 by pharmacist Charles Dedman, the distillery produced 'The Wise Man's Bourbon'.  The "wise mans bourbon was not merely a catch phrase," but fundamental  to his business.  Even the concept of the the owl as an icon to represent his belief that people could, and should, consume alcohol, wisely.  

Then came prohibition and the distiller lost the lot ....Kentucky Owl stock had been whisked away by organised crime to fuel their booming speakeasies, while others believed it was "confiscated" by the  government due to prohibition.

In 2014, the brand saw a revival with Charles' great-great grandson, Dixon.Guided by a passion for blending expertise,  hall of famer John Rhea, formerly of Four Roses, brought a touch of magic and scalability to Kentucky Owl's limited-edition releases.

 The brand's resurgence gained momentum with the involvement of Stoli Group. who were looking for premium brands, with heritage, and above all quality. 

This a company that is looking at reshaping the whiskey industry:  Innovation collaborations, such as partnering with Louise McGuane of J.J. Corry Irish Whiskey for the St Patrick's Edition, Yusuke Yahisa of Nagahama Distillery in Japan for the Takumi Edition, and their Scottish Edition showcased the brand's versatility and global appeal. Each release aimed to enhance consumer experiences and attract diverse whiskey enthusiasts worldwide. 

Part of this innovation, lead to the to launch the Wiseman brand  to capture the Gen Z's and Millennials who desired quality but were not prepared top pay $200.  Again company were not afraid to collaborate in releasing The Wiseman Bourbon, its first Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey produced and distilled by Kentucky Owl in collaboration with the Bardstown Bourbon Company.

The brand's future includes a state-of-the-art distillery, set on a reclaimed quarry site, designed by Japanese architect Shigeru Ban to reflect sustainability and innovation.