Daniel Davis
The Revival of an Age-old Legacy
When it comes to the rebirth of classic distilleries, there seems to have been a common trend in recent years. A flurry of marketing hype, sweeping stories of heritage and origin, and heavy emphasis on ‘tasting notes.’ However, one distillery that decided to move in a different direction was Peerless Distilling Co. Instead of opting for the rather smooth and seemingly easy road, Peerless decided to take the road less travelled. This path was indeed one of most resistance, and it would help the distillery release their first bourbon in over a century.
A Rich History of Distilling Excellence
The story of Peerless Distilling is indeed a compelling one. The original distillery dates back to an era long gone, initially being established in the 1880s. Within just a few decades, Peerless Distilling Co. had become one of the leading bourbon producers, led by the charismatic figure, Henry Kraver.
However, like many good things, Peerless’s initial chapter came to an abrupt end, with the prohibition era drawing the curtain on this icon of the distilling world. While the original distillery might have closed its doors, the legacy remained, waiting for the right moment and the right hands to bring it back to life.
The Return of a Legend
Fast forward to 2014, when Corky Taylor and his son Carson decided to revive the family business, paying homage to their great-grandfather Kraver’s vision. However, instead of following the beaten path that catered to the established global whiskey trends, the Taylors took a different route.
Instead of focusing solely on marketing efforts and capitalizing on the Peerless name, the Taylors decided that the true value of Peerless Distilling Co. lay in the product. Thus, they chose to focus on ensuring that each spirit produced under the Peerless name had the same amount of care, craftsmanship, and quality that it did in the 1880s, irrespective of how much more challenging or time consuming it might be.
Excellence over Expediency
To ensure Peerless’s product maintained its reputation for excellence, the distillery committed to an elaborate production process that many modern distilleries have abandoned. This included a strict grain-to-bottle philosophy. This essentially meant that Peerless sourced all their grains locally from farms around Kentucky, never adding any additives, and bottling the spirit right at the distillery.
The Arrival of the Peerless Bourbon
After years of refinement, experimentation, and a relentless commitment to quality, Peerless released their first bourbon in over a century in 2019. Made from a sweet mash bill and bottled at barrel proof with no chill filtration, the Peerless Bourbon was every bit worth the wait, the effort, and the resistance. Word about Peerless spread rapidly, not just because they revived a legendary name, but because they exceeded expectations with the product’s unmatched quality and taste.
The Road Less Travelled is Worth It
Peerless Distilling Co. showed to the world that the path of most resistance might be more challenging, more time-consuming, but ultimately, it is the more rewarding. Striding a harder path was a gamble, but Peerless Distilling Co. confirmed that with passion, grit, and unwavering commitment, the fruits of such labor are, indeed, peerless.
In Conclusion
Enthralling stories and brand legacies can provide an initial interest, but it is ultimately the quality of product that establishes a name as an enduring force. For the Peerless Distilling Co., the story was one of resurrection, patience, and hard work. By following a rigorous process, they brought back the legendary Peerless name in grand style, showing that the path of most resistance indeed paves the way for the most extraordinary outcomes.
