Luca Mariano Distillery

Luca Mariano Distillery, founded by Francesco S. Viola, traces its origins to a deep-seated family heritage and a passion for distilling passed down from his grandfather, Mariano Viola. Inspired by his grandfather's skills in winemaking and distilling, Francesco began crafting whiskey as a hobby in his garage in 2010. This pursuit evolved into a formal venture, leading to the official establishment of Luca Mariano Distillery, LLC, in 2013, a name chosen to honor both his son, Luca, and his grandfather, Mariano.

Initially, while their own facilities were under development, Luca Mariano Distillery partnered with established Kentucky distilleries, such as Wilderness Trail Distillery, to produce and age their whiskey. In 2017, the distillery acquired a significant 557-acre historic property in Danville, Kentucky, which later expanded to over 500 or 600 acres. This site is rich in history, featuring the William Crow house, recognized as the oldest stone house in Kentucky, and a silo famously used by a local moonshiner named Guy Jones. The grand opening of the distillery in Danville took place on June 13, 2025, with ambitious plans to transform the property into a comprehensive visitor's destination, including a coffee shop, restaurants, a chocolate shop, a rooftop bar, and boutique hotel rooms.

Luca Mariano Distillery is known for crafting premium bourbon and rye whiskey, adhering to a "farm-to-bottle" philosophy that prioritizes local ingredients. Their whiskey-making approach involves producing spirits from scratch using their own grains and aging them for a minimum of four years in charred new oak barrels. A distinctive aspect of their aging process is the use of uniquely designed "Torta A Tre" (three-layered cake) rickhouses, which are engineered to optimize barrel aging without the need for rotation. Some of their expressions also feature a proprietary mash bill that includes smoked malted barley, contributing to a unique smoky flavor profile.

Notable expressions from Luca Mariano Distillery include the Old Americana Bourbon and Rye Whiskey, first released in 2019, and the Luca Mariano Single Barrel Bourbon. They also offer the Gianna Lorén Single Barrel Rye, named after the owner's daughter, and a Signature line that boasts a seven-year, 113-proof bourbon. The Luca Mariano Ambassador 86 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is a limited release created in collaboration with former NFL player Antonio Freeman, aged for 8 years and 6 days. The distillery has received recognition for its products, with the Luca Mariano Small Batch Bourbon earning a Silver award at the World Whisky Awards 2024, and the Signature Bourbon, known for its smoked malted barley, receiving a Double Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. However, the distillery faced significant challenges, shutting down in July 2025 after its parent company, LMD Holdings, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. As of June 2026, Apogee 21 Holdings, led by Mark Newman, has made a $16.7 million bid to acquire the distillery and its assets, with plans to restart operations.