Old Crow Distillery

Old Crow Distillery, located south of Frankfort, Kentucky has its history traced back to the early 1800′s. Once famous for producing Old Grand Dad, Bourbon DeLuxe, Sunny Brook among many others, it has been closed since 1987 as a result of a buy-out from competitor Jim Bean (1).

History

In 1823, Dr. James Crow, a physican, moved to the state of Kentucky and found a job working for colonel Willis Field at a distillery on Grier’s Creek just outside of Woodford County (1). Using his medical and scientific skills and general knowledge of bourbon production, he enhanced production of the product and made superb results at a high rate of speed. He soon moved to Millville on Glenn’s Creek, and for the next twenty years, he worked and later managed the Oscar Pepper Distillery (later the Labrot and Graham and then the Woodford Reserve Distillery). Dr. Crow later worked for the Johnson Distillery near Frankfort, which eventually became Old Taylor, until his death in 1856 (1). Dr. Crow was considered by some to be the “father of bourbon”.

What was later known as Old Crow Distillery, however, did not open until 1872, 16 years after Dr. Crow passed on (1). Old Crow Whiskey was produced at this facility and was owned by National Distillers. It was one of the first nationally-known whiskey brands that was nationally-marketed.

In the 1960s, the Old Crow facility was refurbished and the formula was changed that some thought diluted the product and eventually led to Old Crow’s slow demise when it was purchased by Jim Bean Brands in 1987 (1). It was promptly closed upon purchase.

A few of the buildings are used today in the distribution of Jim Bean Brands. Others lay abandoned, awaiting reuse or restoration; neither property has any protection from private development (2)(3). In recent months, a company made inquiries about demolishing both the Old Taylor and Old Crow Distilleries and salvaging them for scrap. This could be stopped, however, as the Fiscal Court of Woodford county is tabling a proposal to install a historic zoning overlay on one or both properties, action that would preserve the buildings and does not require the property owner’s consent. Once a historic overlay is on the properties, the Woodford County Board of Architectural Review would be in charge of any changes that would occur to them. The Blue Grass Trust and Preservation Kentucky is trying to bring more public awareness to the situation.

Gallery

Sources

1. Lipman, John F. “The GHOSTS of WHISKIES PAST.” 1999. 14 July 2005 Article.
2. Cowdery, Charles K. “Distillery Destruction — Saving Kentucky’s Heritage.” 7 Apr. 2005. The Cultured Traveler. 14 July 2005 Article.
3. Hogan, Meghan. “Low Spirits in Kentucky.” 23 June 2005. Preservation Online. 14 July 2005 Article.