Over 100 years ago, Kentucky bourbon was made by men so possessed with a spirit of grit and hustle that they ascended above men, and became Barons. Sadly, Prohibition and the rising tide of time has robbed us of the families’ signature bourbon recipes. Until now.
Enter The Whiskey Barons Collection®, an ambitious undertaking to recreate the taste of the original Pre-Prohibition liquids. The result was worth waiting for.
Every sip furnishes a silent biography.
Each expression in The Whiskey Barons Collection® is a masterpiece, as most of the original recipes have been lost to the ravages of time. We have painstakingly pieced these vanished gems back together by consulting original tasting notes from historical files, finding old product descriptions from packaging, and interviewing surviving family members. Each bottle of this premium, small-batch bourbon is more than a recreation of the amber glory that once coursed through the Kentucky area — it’s a direct link back to the high-toned and honorable Barons that made it.
Explore The Collection
Old Ripy®
Originally created by James Ripy in 1868 and passed down through three generations of the family, Old Ripy® bourbon helped put Anderson County, Kentucky on the map. That is, until production ended in 1950. But now the lost liquid is back, with every bit of its Pre-Prohibition, straight-from-the-barrel flavor.
It’s this inspiration that gives it a distinct style that stands apart from most modern whiskeys. Non-chill filtering allows the bourbon to retain a fuller body and preserve all complex flavors. The era-accurate methods of production give the liquid an intense flavor profile, with rich notes of oak, toffee, and spice. And every bottle is definitely a conversation piece. But it won’t be around long. Only 1,500 cases exist, and when they're gone, they’re gone forever.
- 52%ABV
- 104proof
- 375ml
Bond & Lillard® Batch 1
This genuine piece of bourbon heritage first caught the eyes of the world when it was awarded the Grand Prize at the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair. Praised for its “Real delicacy of flavor, beauty in the sparkle and superiority in strength,” it was said that Bond and Lillard® bourbon, “Bears no equal.”
We used this elegant description as our road map to reverse-engineer this lost liquid using era-inspired methods. Specially the extinct process of charcoal filtering. This highlights floral and fruitier top notes while imbuing it with a lighter, golden color. You’ll also notice a smooth, caramel sweetness and a delicate nature, which lingers pleasantly on the palate. And we’re confident if Bond and Lillard were here to try a glass of this amber glory, they’d tip their hats in honor. But it won’t be around long. Only 1,500 cases exist, and when they're gone, they’re gone forever.
- 50%ABV
- 100proof
- 375ml
Bond & Lillard® Batch 2
Bond & Lillard® caught the international spotlight when it was awarded the Grand Prize at the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair. Praised for its appearance, strength, and flavor, from that point on it was triumphantly declared that Bond and Lillard® bourbon “bears no equal.”
A homage to the two men who started it all, Batch 2 of this world-renowned bourbon was re-crafted based on tastings from recently discovered vintage bottles dating back to the 1920s. A mix of 4 and 6 year old Kentucky Straight Bourbon, the intent of this offering was to replicate the smoky, wood, and fruit notes found in the original pre-prohibition liquid. Only a limited number are available, so own a piece of history before they’re gone forever. A portion of proceeds from product sales will be used to renovate the Ripy Home, listed on the National Register of Historic Places (for US purchases only).
- 50%ABV
- 100proof
- 375ml
W.B. Saffell™
William Butler Saffell began distilling as a teenager. With his grit, determination, and reputed hand-made sour mash, it wasn’t long after, in 1889, that he built his first distillery. What resulted was a delicate, golden Kentucky Bourbon, first created northwest of Lawrenceburg, that became a treasure of pre-prohibition America.
Saffell himself may have said it best when he remarked, “My own small product is not excelled by any.” Crafted to stand apart, this non-chill filtered offering is a blend of 6, 8, 10, and 12 year old Kentucky Straight Bourbon. It delivers a complex spice, caramel & wood flavor along with notes of creamy vanilla & dried fruit. Recreated to deliver every bit of that pre-prohibition, straight-from-the-barrel flavor, this genuine piece of bourbon heritage won’t be around for long. Only a limited number are available, so own a piece of history before they’re gone forever.
- 53.5%ABV
- 107proof
- 375ml
More than a century ago, the Barons left their mark on Kentucky bourbon history. Showcased here are just a few of the pertinent milestones throughout their journeys.
GO BACK IN TIME-
1827
Anderson County is formed on January 16th from parts of Franklin, Mercer and Washington Counties. The county had many farmer distillers – most of them making as little whiskey as a barrel a week.
1827 -
1830
James Ripy, with brother and sister John and Eliza, seek better opportunities and settle in the town of Lawrenceburg, Kentucky.
1830 -
1839
The state of Kentucky selects James Ripy’s distillery to be featured at its exhibit in the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair, among 400 other potential claimants.
1839 -
1861
The American Civil War hits. Anderson County is near the center of action during the Confederate invasion of Kentucky in 1862, and soldiers from both sides of the conflict are exposed to Anderson County bourbon. After the war, bourbon from Anderson County grows in popularity, and the distilleries expand to meet the rising demand.
1861 -
1869
William F. Bond and Christopher C. Lillard form a partnership and begin labeling their product as Bond & Lillard®. Also in this year, T.B. Ripy and W.H. McBrayer purchase James Ripy’s business, including the distillery on the banks of the Kentucky River at Bailley’s Run. One year later, T.B. Ripy purchases McBrayer’s share.
1869 -
1889
W.B. Saffell builds his own 350 barrel distillery on the Southern Railroad in the northwest of Lawrenceburg. With his grit, determination, and reputed hand-made sour mash, his delicate, golden Kentucky Bourbon becomes a treasure of Anderson county.
1889 -
1899
Bond & Lillard® Distillery is sold to the Whiskey Trust. By 1910, the distillery has a mashing capacity of 400 bushels per day and a warehouse capacity of 30,000 barrels.
1899 -
1902
T.B. Ripy’s sons, Ernest, Forest and Ezra, open the Ripy Brothers Distillery.
1902 -
1904
Bond & Lillard® wins Grand Prize at the World’s Fair in St. Louis. Judges at the fair declare that the recipe represents “real delicacy of flavor, beauty in the sparkle and superiority in strength — It bears no equal.”
1904 -
1920
Prohibition begins on January 16th, initiating a nationwide constitutional ban on the production, importation, transportation and sale of alcoholic beverages. Anderson County distilleries would be closed during this period, but many of the brands survive and are sold as medicinal whiskey.
1920
If the walls of this elegant, 11,000 square foot mansion could talk, you would hear tales of opulence, comradery, and the American Dream.
A portion of the proceeds from The Whiskey Barons Collection® will go towards renovating The Ripy Home on the famed Whiskey Barons Row in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky. A gem in the National Register of Historic Places.