Olivia Taylor
The Birth of Peerless Distillery
Peerless Distillery, located in Louisville, Kentucky, was established in 1889 by Henry Kraver. Peerless quickly became a prominent player in the bourbon industry, gaining a reputation for producing high-quality spirits using local ingredients and traditional methods.
Unfortunately, Peerless closed its doors in 1917, following the passage of Prohibition in the United States. The distillery remained abandoned for nearly a century until Kraver’s great-grandson, Corky Taylor, decided to revive the family business in the early 2000s.
Peerless’ Unique Approach to Bourbon
When Peerless Distillery was resurrected, Taylor made the decision to take a different approach to bourbon production. Rather than following in the footsteps of his predecessors, Taylor wanted to create a completely unique product that would stand out in a crowded market.
To achieve this goal, Peerless’ team hand-selects all their grains, opting for local, non-GMO corn and other grains to ensure the highest quality spirits. The team uses a sweet mash fermentation method, which is more labor-intensive than the sour mash process used by most distilleries.
The Art of Sweet Mash
The sweet mash process involves starting each batch from scratch, using fresh yeast and a new combination of grains. This method requires greater attention to detail and a higher level of expertise, as the fermentation process is more sensitive and easily affected by temperature and other external factors.
The team at Peerless believes that the sweet mash method results in smoother, cleaner flavors in their bourbon. This approach also allows for greater control over the final product, which helps ensure that each bottle of Peerless bourbon is consistent and of the highest quality.
The Trial and Error of Innovation
Peerless’ unique approach to bourbon production was not without its challenges. Taylor and his team faced a significant learning curve as they worked to perfect the sweet mash method. They spent several years conducting trial and error experiments, making tweaks to their process until they achieved the optimal balance of flavors and aromas.
This dedication to innovation and experimentation is what sets Peerless apart from other bourbon distilleries. While some may have taken the easy route and followed traditional methods, Peerless chose the path of most resistance. And the result is a bourbon that stands out from the crowd in terms of quality, flavor, and innovation.
The Future of Peerless Bourbon
With their unique approach to bourbon production, Peerless Distillery has quickly become a favorite among bourbon enthusiasts. Their bourbon has won numerous awards and continues to gain popularity among consumers.
Moving forward, Corky Taylor and his team remain committed to their innovative methods of bourbon production. They plan to expand their selection of bourbon products, including limited edition releases and experimental blends.
Peerless’ dedication to innovation and quality ensures that they will continue to be a leader in the bourbon industry for years to come. And, with their commitment to creating unique, high-quality spirits, we can’t wait to see what they come up with next.
