Old Commonwealth

Old Commonwealth carries the weight of Kentucky bourbon history on its shoulders, tracing an unbroken line from 1889 to today through periods of triumph, dormancy, and resurrection. This Anderson County distillery has weathered Prohibition, survived corporate changes, and emerged from a 17-year slumber with renewed purpose: reviving forgotten brands and honoring the legends of Kentucky whiskey.

History & Heritage

S.O. Hackley established the original distillery in 1889 on Hammonds Creek in Anderson County, choosing the site for its limestone bedrock and favorable climate. The property passed through several hands, including the Hoffman Distilling Company and the Ripy brothers, before Julian Van Winkle III purchased it in 1983, renaming it Commonwealth Distillery. Van Winkle operated the facility for nearly two decades, bottling family reserves and legendary expressions including Pappy Van Winkle, A.H. Hirsch, and Very Olde St. Nick before closing in 2002. New investors acquired the brand in 2019, resurrecting operations in 2024 as Old Commonwealth.

The Whiskey

Old Commonwealth sources limited allotments of special barrels from renowned Kentucky heritage distillers, crafting both traditional and innovative expressions. Their Fall 2024 release of Old Commonwealth 10 Year Kentucky Straight Bourbon features a high-rye mash bill of 75% corn, 15% rye, and 10% malted barley, bottled at 131.8 proof. Kentucky Nectar represents their most distinctive offering: a double-barreled, cask-strength wheated bourbon finished in honey casks through a labor-intensive process involving real organic honey and regular barrel rotation. Additional expressions include Red Top Rye, D.H. Cromwell 15 Year Bourbon, and Colonel Randolph 16 Year Bourbon.

Why It Matters

Old Commonwealth bridges Kentucky's bourbon past with its future, carrying forward techniques and recipes that might otherwise be lost to time. Their commitment to sourcing exceptional barrels and their willingness to experiment with finishing methods like honey casks demonstrates both reverence for tradition and innovative spirit. The immediate sellout of their revival release confirms that collectors and connoisseurs recognize the brand's significance in bourbon's continuing story.