KBD to start distilling any day now.

[Josh]

This according to our good friend Tom Fischer at Bourbon Blog.

http://www.bourbonblog.com/blog/2012/01/18/kentucky-bourbon-distillers-start-distilling/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=kentucky-bourbon-distillers-start-distilling

Sure is exciting news. Any thoughts?

P.S. Thanks to Keith for tweeting the link.

[sku]

The photo shows a pot still. Is that what they're using?

[Brisko]

I'm proud of them.:slappin:

Seriously, though, "The grains are arriving today, the yeast is already on site and the barrels are ready to house the new-make spirit. Once the new-make spirit comes off the still, it will be brought down to barrel-strength, and, in the cistern room, that spirit will be filled into charred oak containers."

One assumes that they have made arrangements for fermentation, too... last I checked that's still an important early step. I guess it's not sexy enough to make it into the write-up.

[barturtle]

The photo shows a pot still. Is that what they're using?

It's one of two stills on site, the other is in a fairly narrow tower and doesn't photograph well.

[StraightNoChaser]

It's one of two stills on site, the other is in a fairly narrow tower and doesn't photograph well.

Is it camera shy?

[Gillman]

Great-looking still, it looks very old.

Gary

[cowdery]

In September, I made a deal with Drew that if he'll give me a date-certain when the first batch will be run, I'll be there for the event. In return, he stops telling me how close they are.

I haven't heard from him.

My skepticism is because the Kulsveens have been telling me they're "close" for more than 20 years.

[camduncan]

I'm personally excited for them.... I hope it happens soon and is a great success!

[White Dog]

I sure hope it happens. When Scotch sales spike, silent stills return to producing. Why hasn't this happened in the U.S.??

Rather than simply hearing about the existing majors' expansions, I'd love to see Willett, Medley, and anyone else go live again.

[steeltownbbq]

Drew is on twitter http://twitter.com/bbnboy no mention of starting production.

[K_Henderson]

Spoke to Drew recently. They should have everything LAST week, and may already be doing test runs...

[tmckenzie]

I heard things were going as well.

[DeanSheen]

It's groundhog day again? Man, that was fast.

[p_elliott]

I actually think it really may be a go this time our good friend Dougdog just went to work for them. I don't think he would unless it was really a go.

[cowdery]

Dave Pickerell is helping them. He posted to Facebook over the weekend that they're up and running now, although no details were forthcoming.

[pepcycle]

I need to be there. I can't explain it.

Isn't anyone else making a clay model of the pot still in their living room, while wearing a robe?

I feel a close encounter.

[Josh]

Which will happen first, KBD-distilled bourbon hitting the shelves, or Richard Dreyfuss (or Ed) boarding an alien spacecraft in Wyoming?

[callmeox]

Which will happen first, KBD-distilled bourbon hitting the shelves, or Richard Dreyfuss (or Ed) boarding an alien spacecraft in Wyoming?

Fark you for asking.

/oblig?

[cowdery]

I genuinely wish them the best but it's hard to get too excited since, I don't know, about 500 people around the country beat them to it.

[Josh]

I wish them well too, but we've all heard this song before. Until I hear someone associated with them say something specific like "We have started distilling" or "We barreled our first batch of bourbon (or rye or whatever) today" and not vague 2nd hand statements like, "Things are up and running", I remain skeptical.

And even if they do start distilling for real, it may not be any good. There's always that.

[p_elliott]

The one thing that KBD has going for them is they should have the financial back bone to be able to age their product properly. No 1 and 2 yr old bourbons from 30 gallon barrels should be coming out of there. The have the experience with blending barrels and single barrels to know what they are looking for. If anyone has a shot at doing this they should. I wish them luck we'll know more in 6 or 7 years or so.

[cowdery]

Well, there's up and running and there's up and running. I believe Pickerell if he says they have fired up a still, and a few test runs are inevitable. That's not the same as actually going into production, making full batches, and filling barrels, day after day. This is a milestone, though, just with a long way yet to go.

[jburlowski]

I genuinely wish them the best but it's hard to get too excited since, I don't know, about 500 people around the country beat them to it.

I'm sorry... I didn't realize there was a competition.

[cowdery]

I'm sorry... I didn't realize there was a competition.

Point is that there are new micro-distilleries opening every day in this country. This one has been all talk and no action for 20 years. So why all the excitement when they finally do something? Prodigal son, I guess. (I never understood it in the Bible either.)

[hectic1]

Point is that there are new micro-distilleries opening every day in this country. This one has been all talk and no action for 20 years. So why all the excitement when they finally do something? Prodigal son, I guess. (I never understood it in the Bible either.)

At least now you'll be able to stop asking for the source of their whiskey!