The story of Kentucky Owl has a long and winding history, yet it's just the beginning. To grasp where the brand is headed, it's essential to look back at its origins.
Established in 1879 by pharmacist Charles Mortimer Dedman, the distillery produced 'The Wise Man's Bourbon'. The "wise mans bourbon was not merely a catch phrase," but fundemantal 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....
One night, the warehouse where the illicit liquor was stored burned to the ground. Oddly, for a building filled with alcohol, the fire lasted only a matter of hours, leading many to suspect the entire 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 Dedman, at the helm. Drawing on family lore and aided by distillers, Dixon meticulously curated barrels of Kentucky bourbon to reintroduce a new small-batch Kentucky Owl.
The brand's resurgence gained momentum with the involvement of Stoli Group. who were looking for premium brands, with heritage, and above all quality. With a shared commitment to quality, Dedman and Stoli collaborated as Stoli acquired the brand, captivated by its rich heritage and exceptional liquid. The challenge lay in expanding the brand globally while preserving its authenticity and allure. Guided by a passion for blending expertise, John Rhea, formerly of Four Roses, brought a touch of magic and scalability to Kentucky Owl's limited-edition releases.
This a company that is looking at reshaping the whiskey industry: They understand that whiskey drinkers are becoming and experimental. this lead to innovative 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 Edtion showcased the brand's versatility and global appeal. Each release aimed to enhance consumer experiences and attract diverse whiskey enthusiasts worldwide. AND IT DID!!
Part of this innovation, lead to the to launch the Wiseman brand to capture the Gen Z's and Milleneals 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. Looking ahead, Kentucky Owl envisions a whiskey laboratory welcoming distillers and blenders worldwide, fostering knowledge sharing and skill development for future generations.