Picture this: a sprawling old distillery in Kentucky where time seems to have stopped cold in the early '90s. Tools still sit where workers left them, aprons hang forgotten on machines, and the air carries that faint, dusty whisper of what used to be a booming bourbon empire. That's Stitzel-Weller Distillery today—a place that's equal parts history lesson and eerie adventure, and it's just hit its 90th birthday. For anyone who's ever raised a glass to the good old days of American whiskey, this spot on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail offers a rare chance to step back into the industry's golden era while tasting its future.
Back in 1935, right on Kentucky Derby day and not long after Prohibition finally lifted its heavy hand, Stitzel-Weller fired up its stills. The owners marked the occasion by hanging five keys on the front door—a simple gesture that stood for the five essential steps in crafting bourbon, but also as an open invite to folks in the business and everyday visitors alike. It was all about sharing knowledge and building community in those early post-Prohibition years. The Stitzel family handled the nuts and bolts of production, turning out top-notch whiskey, while the Wellers were the sales wizards who got it into glasses across the country. Together, they didn't just make bourbon; they mentored other distillers, passing on tips, resources, and even grain to help the whole Kentucky scene thrive.
That spirit of generosity paid off big time. Some of the biggest names in bourbon today trace their roots right back to this place. Brands like Old Fitzgerald, W.L. Weller, and the legendary Pappy Van Winkle all have ties to Stitzel-Weller's early days. As Nicole Austin, Diageo's director of American whiskey liquid development and capabilities, puts it, “Even though they’re not necessarily still owned here or based here, there’s a lot of brands whose origin story traces back to this place. And that’s a pretty special piece of history to be responsible for.” It's the kind of legacy that makes you appreciate how interconnected the bourbon world really is—one family's hard work rippling out to shape an entire industry.
But like a lot of things in life, the good times didn't last forever. The bourbon business tanked hard in the 1980s, hit by changing tastes and tough economics. By the early 1990s, Stitzel-Weller shut down its main operations. Workers clocked out one day, leaving their gear behind as if they might come back tomorrow. No one ever tidied up or hauled away the machinery, so walking through those old buildings now feels like stumbling into a time capsule—or maybe a ghost town. Austin describes the grounds as feeling downright “haunted,” with spots like the old barrel filling house and cooperage standing as silent reminders of the industry's rough patch. It's a sobering sight, one that hits home if you've ever seen a once-thriving factory go quiet in your own hometown.
Douglas Kragel, the director of whiskey brand homes and hospitality for Diageo, Stitzel-Weller's parent company, sums up the vibe with two words: “reverence and respect.” He walks those grounds knowing that keeping the story alive is as crucial as producing the whiskey itself. “We want to constantly find ways to bring as many people here, as we can, to share the space and share the whiskeys that are coming from it,” Kragel says. And he's not wrong—there's something powerful about standing where generations of distillers, owners, finance folks, and bottlers all played their part in building bourbon's reputation. “It is a little haunting, but I also find it extremely exhilarating ... if you think about the people that have worked here,” he adds. “From distillers to owners, to finance to bottling, whoever it is, they all have played such an important role in the (bourbon) industry through this place.”
Fast forward to 2014, when Diageo stepped in and breathed new life into the place. They bought the old factory, 15 massive rickhouses packed with aging bourbon, and all the liquid inside as part of a bigger deal. Each of those rickhouses can hold around 35,000 barrels, and most are about half full these days. That stock of old whiskey became the foundation for modern brands like Blade and Bow, which nods to the original five keys with its name—drawing from the two parts of a skeleton key. Austin's been digging through those warehouses, blending the aged stuff into something special. “We have more very old liquid than I would have imagined, but less than I would have hoped,” she says. “I am so anxious to share with people all of the things that I’ve found.”
Take the latest release: Blade and Bow 30-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. This one's pulled from barrels laid down back in 1993, right around the time the distillery was winding down. Somewhere along the way, before Diageo took over, folks consolidated semi-empty barrels to keep the bourbon in full contact with the wood. That smart move preserved the flavor balance and let it mature even longer. Austin handpicked from 42 different barrels to create this rare blend—talk about craftsmanship that rewards patience. It's not just a sip; it's a direct link to the past, available right there on the tour where you can taste it alongside the ghost town vibes.
Stitzel-Weller isn't just resting on its history, though. Earlier this year, they ramped up production in Stillhouse B, bumping output from one barrel a week to about four or five. It's still a small, craft-style operation—intimate enough to feel personal, but with room to grow. The site also houses other Diageo brands like I.W. Harper and Orphan Barrel, making it a hub for whiskey lovers who want variety. And looking ahead, Kragel's got plans to boost the hospitality side, expanding food and beverage options to turn it into a repeat destination. There's already the Garden & Gun Club on the property, adding that Southern charm with eats and drinks that pair perfectly with a tour.
What sets Stitzel-Weller apart on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail is that mix of old and new. You can wander the abandoned factory floors, feel the weight of those untouched workspaces, and then shift gears to the modern craft setup. It's the only spot where you tour a bourbon ghost town, sample a 30-year-old pour, and see a tiny five-barrel-per-week operation all in one go. As Kragel notes, “This place was built on hospitality. The story of the five keys was not just about the five steps to making great whiskey, but was also about a symbol of hospitality in the bourbon industry, and so we want to advance that as much as we can.”
If you're planning a trip, head to 3860 Fitzgerald Road in Shively. They're open Monday and Thursday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sundays from noon to 5 p.m.—closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Check out stitzelwellerdistillery.com for tour details and more. Whether you're a lifelong bourbon fan chasing that perfect dram or just curious about the stories behind the bottle, Stitzel-Weller delivers a experience that's as much about reflection as it is about the whiskey. It's a reminder that great things endure, even through the tough times, and sometimes the best flavors come from letting history age just right.
