Kentucky Belle Jug ID

[shotglass]

Hello,
I'm hoping to find some info on an old distillery in Anderson County Kentucky called "Kentucky Belle". I have one of their old jugs with a picture of a girl (1800s 'looking') and the text:
Kentucky Belle Bourbon
Eight Years Old
Hand Made Sour Mash
Bottled at the Distillery Anderson C. KY
Since the text says "the" distillery it makes me suspect that it may have been the first distillery there (?).
Any info or pointers on learning more would be welcome. An image is attached.
Thanks,
shotglass

[CL]

My Grandfather used to work at Old Joe (now Four Roses) and JTS Brown (bought by Austin Nichols) in Anderson County. My Mom lived in Lawrenceburg during that time (late 50s, early 60s).

I looked in Sam Cecil's book, The Evolution of the Bourbon Whiskey Industry in Kentucky. The index has an entry for Kentucky Belle and points to Wm. David & Co, The Millersburg Distillery, RD #30. Here's what Sam said

"Wm. Davis, who had been a successful whisky peddler for a St. Louis wholesaler, built a 500 bushel plan at Millersburg in 1881, costing some $40,000. His plan was to produce 6,000 barrels of hand made sour mash annually under brands of 'Old Cabin', 'Kentucky Belle', and 'Daniel Boone'. As of October 1, 1882 government records show an inventory of only 76 barrels, and the venture apparently failed."

I don't know if this helps you or not.

[shotglass]

Great stuff CL! That was exactly the info I was hoping to find, but I sure didn't expect to get it so fast! The fact that they failed early-on must explain why all my <many> online searches came up empty-handed. It's rare for me not to find at least some info using search engines. I found the jug in a little East Texas town, so they must have made a few shipments, or settlers brought some along from KY. I'm obviously no expert on jugs, but I felt sure that it was a rare and unusual one. Thanks for all the help. The search is finally over, thanks to your help.
Cheers,http://www.straightbourbon.com/ubbthreads/images/icons/grin.gif
Shotglass (Gene)

[pepcycle]

Talk about coincidence. I was reading an O. Henry short story and it made reference to Kentucky Belle.
Check out this link.
It must've been fairly well known in its day.
O Henry short stories (http://www.nexus.hu/trickshot/tesant.htm)

[CL]

Well, I hope what you have is from that old distillery. But, I wonder how common the name Kentucky Belle might have been. If the Millsburg's Kentucky Belle failed so early, could there have been other distilleries who used that name in later decades?

I am not trying to pee on your wheaties, I just don't want you to treat what Sam's book said as gospel. Sam's book has been said to have mistakes. Nothing against Sam - it's a tough job getting the fact straight on so many small family run businesses that came and went in and out of business very quickly.

[shotglass]

Of course you're right CL. My KY Belle may be a different one, but it doesn't matter. I'm not hoping to get rich over it - just enjoying it as an unusual collectible, like most of the "ton" of such "old goodies" I have. It's kind of like the O'Henry story Mr. Ed mentioned. It conjures up thoughts about who and what came before. Interestingly, I've come up with a strange craving for a taste of old fashioned Bourbon since I posted this article, and anyway, sometimes what can be imagined about an item is worth more than the monetary value. ;O)
Cheers,
Shotglass

[shotglass]

Thanks Mr. Ed! I enjoyed that story you mentioned. Funny you should come up with that, since I've just recovered from a prolonged bout of coughing, brought on by who knows what. I hope it didn't come from the jug (maybe mine is the jug from the story?)! ;O)
It made me <in a strange way> feel like a part of that melancholy, misty river town for a while. I just hope I have more than 2 weeks left to suffer! ;O)
Cheers,
Shotglass

[B_Dub___Cigar_Ambassador]

What a cool old jug! It looks really nice. Do you use it for a decoration around your home? I like rare and unusual memorabilia, and that one seems pretty interesting to me.