Daniel Davis
A Long Journey: Peerless Releases Their First Bourbon in a Century
In 1889, Peerless Distilling Company was born in the heartland of bourbon culture, the beautiful state of Kentucky. But like many distilleries at the time, it was hit hard by Prohibition. 100 long years passed before they’d release their first bourbon again. This is the story of how Peerless took the path of most resistance to their first bourbon in a matter of a century. Their spirited journey exemplifies patience, dedication, and a fierce commitment to authenticity.
Peerless’s Conception and Demise
When Henry Kraver founded Peerless in Henderson, Kentucky in 1889, he certainly couldn’t predict the massive mountain his distillery would have to climb. The business flourished initially, producing over 200 barrels a day. But when Prohibition came knocking in the 1920s, operations had to cease.
The Land of Abstinence: Prohibition
The 18th Amendment spelled disaster for countless distilleries when it made the sale of alcohol illegal in 1920. Like so many others, Peerless had no choice but to shut down. It seemed the end of a promising venture and broken spirits were littered across the state.
The Re-birth of Peerless
Like a phoenix from the ashes, the Peerless brand was revived in 2014, by none other than Corky Taylor, the great-grandson of the original owner, Henry Kraver. With the help of his son, Carson Taylor, they vowed to uphold the distilling traditions that made Peerless unique.
A Noble Cause: Preserving Distilling Traditions
The revived Peerless wasn’t interested in taking shortcuts. Dismissing the industrial approach that many modern distilleries adopted, Peerless opted instead to adhere to the old in-house method of production from grain to bottle. Investment aside, the art and method of traditional, authentic bourbon distillation were of paramount importance to the Taylors.
Peerless Rye
Before going back to their bourbon roots, Peerless first re-appeared on the whiskey scene with their Peerless Rye. Marketed as a ‘craft whiskey,’ it was meant to show their dedication to quality, flavor, and independent production. It was a gutsy move, considering rye whiskey was less popular and harder to perfect. However, it paid off, and the Peerless Rye was met with exceptional reviews.
A Century Later: The Return of Peerless Bourbon
News in 2019 that Peerless was going to release their first bourbon in 100 years was met with palpable excitement. Patience wasn’t just a virtue for the Taylor family – it was their modus operandi. Content to produce straight rye and bourbon only, they held firm to their belief in a lengthy aging process of four years or more.
The Release: A Testament to Persistence
Peerless’ first bourbon of the 21st century: a statement piece that proved every bit worth the wait. A four-year-old straight bourbon, it sang of the heritage and traditions that the Taylors had worked so hard to uphold. Their dedication to authentic production methods and top-tier quality seemed to have paid off.
Wrapping up the Peerless Journey
It’s not always the way of shortcuts and streamlining that delivers the best results. This is exemplified by the journey of Peerless. Their route of most resistance, their unwavering dedication to authenticity, their patience, and their will to produce high-quality bourbon has cast them back into the spotlight. After a century of absence, Peerless has made a triumphant return to the bourbon scene, showing that good things indeed do come to those who wait.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Peerless
With an incredible comeback story, the future looks bright for Peerless. The distillery plans to continue following their path of resistance, with patience and dedication at the forefront of their values. One thing’s for sure, we can’t wait to see what Peerless has in store for us in the next century to come.
