(Covering Bourbon, Rye, and American Single Malt)

American Whiskey Producers: Companies & Their Brands

(Covering Bourbon, Rye, and American Single Malt)

🏭 MAJOR CONGLOMERATES

Suntory Global Spirits (formerly Beam Suntory — Japan/USA)

The North American wing is the third-largest distiller in the world by volume.

Jim Beam Distillery (Clermont, KY)

  • Baker’s Bourbon
  • Basil Hayden Bourbon & Rye
  • Booker’s Bourbon
  • Jim Beam Bourbon (White, Black, Double Oak, Repeal Batch, etc.)
  • Knob Creek Bourbon & Rye
  • Legent Bourbon
  • Little Book Blended Whiskey
  • Old Crow Bourbon
  • Old Grand-Dad Bourbon
  • Old Overholt Rye
  • Red Stag Bourbon

Maker’s Mark Distillery (Loretto, KY)

  • Maker’s Mark Bourbon (Original, Cask Strength, 46, Wood Finishing Series)

Brown-Forman (Louisville, KY — USA)

Brown-Forman’s American whiskey portfolio includes the Jack Daniel’s Family of Brands, Woodford Reserve, and Old Forester.

Jack Daniel Distillery (Lynchburg, TN)

  • Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey (Old No. 7)
  • Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Collection
  • Jack Daniel’s Gentleman Jack
  • Jack Daniel’s Bonded Tennessee Whiskey
  • Jack Daniel’s Bonded Rye Tennessee Whiskey
  • Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey / Fire / Apple / Blackberry
  • Jack Daniel’s Sinatra Select
  • Jack Daniel’s 10, 12, 14 Year Old expressions
  • Jack Daniel’s American Single Malt (newer expression)

Brown-Forman Distillery (Shively, KY / Versailles, KY)

  • Woodford Reserve Bourbon
  • Woodford Reserve Rye
  • Woodford Reserve Malt Whiskey
  • Woodford Reserve Wheat Whiskey
  • Woodford Reserve Double Oaked
  • Woodford Reserve Master’s Collection (annual releases)
  • Old Forester Bourbon (Classic, 1897, 1910, 1920, Birthday Bourbon)
  • Cooper’s Craft Bourbon

Sazerac Company (New Orleans, LA — USA, privately owned)

Sazerac is now in the fourth generation of current family ownership and has more than 500 brands in its portfolio.

Buffalo Trace Distillery (Frankfort, KY)

  • Buffalo Trace Bourbon
  • Blanton’s Single Barrel Bourbon
  • Colonel E.H. Taylor Bourbon & Rye (Small Batch, Single Barrel, Barrel Proof, Straight Rye, etc.)
  • Eagle Rare 10 Year Bourbon
  • Eagle Rare 17 Year Bourbon (BTAC)
  • Elmer T. Lee Single Barrel Bourbon
  • George T. Stagg Bourbon (BTAC)
  • Hancock’s President’s Reserve Bourbon
  • O.F.C. Vintages Bourbon
  • Old Rip Van Winkle Bourbon (10 Year)
  • Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve (15, 20, 23 Year)
  • Rock Hill Farms Single Barrel Bourbon
  • Sazerac Rye (6 Year, 18 Year — BTAC)
  • Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Straight Rye (BTAC)
  • Van Winkle Special Reserve Lot “B” 12 Year
  • W.L. Weller (Special Reserve, Antique 107, 12 Year, Full Proof, Single Barrel, CYPB)
  • William Larue Weller (BTAC)

Barton 1792 Distillery (Bardstown, KY)

  • 1792 Bourbon (Small Batch, Single Barrel, Full Proof, Bottled-in-Bond, Port Finish, Sweet Wheat, etc.)
  • Ancient Age Bourbon
  • Kentucky Tavern Bourbon
  • Very Old Barton Bourbon

A. Smith Bowman Distillery (Fredericksburg, VA)

  • Bowman Brothers Small Batch Bourbon
  • John J. Bowman Single Barrel Bourbon
  • Abraham Bowman Limited Edition Bourbon
  • Isaac Bowman Port Finished Bourbon
  • Virginia Gentleman Bourbon

Other Sazerac Bourbon/Rye Brands:

  • McAfee’s Benchmark Bourbon, Old Charter Bourbon, Kentucky Gentleman Bourbon, Old Taylor Bourbon

Heaven Hill Distilleries (Bardstown/Louisville, KY — USA, family-owned)

Heaven Hill is the largest independent, family-owned distillery, producing millions of gallons of bourbon annually, with operations centered at the Bernheim Distillery in Louisville.

Bourbon:

  • Elijah Craig Small Batch, Barrel Proof, Toasted Barrel, 18 Year
  • Evan Williams Black Label, White Label, 1783, Single Barrel, Bottled-in-Bond
  • Fighting Cock Bourbon
  • Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond
  • Henry McKenna Bottled-in-Bond
  • J.T.S. Brown Bourbon
  • Johnny Drum Bourbon
  • Kentucky Deluxe Bourbon
  • Larceny Small Batch & Barrel Proof (wheated)
  • Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond (wheated, annual releases)
  • Parker’s Heritage Collection (annual limited releases)
  • T.W. Samuels Bourbon
  • Mellow Corn (Straight Corn Whiskey)
  • Heaven Hill Grain to Glass Series (Bourbon, Wheated Bourbon, Rye)

Rye:

  • Rittenhouse Rye Bottled-in-Bond

Acquired Brands (via Samson & Surrey, 2022):

  • Widow Jane (Brooklyn, NY) — Bourbon, Rye, Single Malt
  • FEW Spirits (Evanston, IL) — Bourbon, Rye, American Single Malt

MGP Ingredients / Luxco (Atchison, KS — USA, publicly traded)

Luxco’s award-winning spirits portfolio spans four distilleries: Lux Row Distillers in Bardstown, KY; Limestone Branch Distillery in Lebanon, KY; and the Ross & Squibb Distillery in Lawrenceburg, IN.

MGP-Owned Brands (Ross & Squibb Distillery, Lawrenceburg, IN):

  • George Remus Bourbon
  • Remus Repeal Reserve Bourbon (annual limited)
  • Rossville Union Straight Rye Whiskey
  • Eight & Sand Blended Bourbon

Luxco / Lux Row Distillers (Bardstown, KY):

  • Blood Oath Bourbon (annual Pact releases)
  • Daviess County Straight Bourbon
  • David Nicholson 1843 & Reserve Bourbon
  • Ezra Brooks Bourbon (Old Ezra 7, Ezra Brooks 99)
  • Rebel Bourbon (wheated, 100 proof, Single Barrel)

Limestone Branch Distillery (Lebanon, KY):

  • Yellowstone Bourbon (Select, Limited Edition)
  • Minor Case Straight Rye Whiskey
  • Yellowstone American Single Malt (newer expression)

Penelope Bourbon (brand, distilled at Ross & Squibb):

  • Penelope Bourbon (Toasted, Four Grain, Architect, Rose Cask)

Campari Group (Milan, Italy)

Campari owns Wild Turkey, one of the most storied names in bourbon production.

Wild Turkey Distillery (Lawrenceburg, KY):

  • Wild Turkey 81, 101, Rare Breed (barrel proof)
  • Wild Turkey Kentucky Spirit Single Barrel
  • Wild Turkey Master’s Keep (annual limited releases)
  • Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel Bourbon & Rye
  • Russell’s Reserve 10 Year Bourbon & 6 Year Rye
  • American Honey Liqueur

Diageo (London, UK)

Diageo operates the Bulleit Distillery in Shelbyville, KY and the George Dickel Distillery in Tullahoma, TN.

Bulleit Distillery (Shelbyville, KY):

  • Bulleit Bourbon
  • Bulleit Rye
  • Bulleit Barrel Strength
  • Bulleit American Single Malt (newer expression)

George Dickel Distillery (Tullahoma, TN):

  • George Dickel Tennessee Whisky (No. 8, No. 12, Barrel Select)
  • George Dickel Bottled-in-Bond
  • George Dickel Rye
  • George Dickel x Leopold Bros. Collaboration

Other Diageo American Whiskey:

  • Blade and Bow Kentucky Straight Bourbon

Kirin Holdings (Japan)

After a series of corporate handoffs, Kirin secured Four Roses and discontinued the lower-end whiskey they’d been selling in favor of Kentucky bourbon exclusively.

Four Roses Distillery (Lawrenceburg, KY):

  • Four Roses Yellow Label Bourbon
  • Four Roses Small Batch Bourbon
  • Four Roses Small Batch Select Bourbon
  • Four Roses Single Barrel Bourbon
  • Four Roses Limited Edition (annual Small Batch & Single Barrel releases)

Pernod Ricard (Paris, France)

Jefferson’s Bourbon (brand, sourced/blended):

  • Jefferson’s Very Small Batch
  • Jefferson’s Ocean Aged at Sea
  • Jefferson’s Reserve
  • Jefferson’s Presidential Select (various years)
  • Jefferson’s Cognac Cask Finish

Bacardi (Hamilton, Bermuda)

Angel’s Envy Distillery (Louisville, KY):

  • Angel’s Envy Port Cask Finished Bourbon
  • Angel’s Envy Rye (finished in Caribbean rum casks)
  • Angel’s Envy Cellar Collection (annual limited)

Rémy Cointreau (Paris, France)

Westland Distillery (Seattle, WA):

  • Westland American Oak Single Malt
  • Westland Peated Single Malt
  • Westland Sherry Wood Single Malt
  • Westland Garryana (native oak, annual release)
  • Westland Colere (heritage barley series)

Constellation Brands (Victor, NY — USA)

High West Distillery (Park City, Utah) and Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery (Nashville, Tennessee) are both under Constellation.

High West Distillery (Park City, UT):

  • High West American Prairie Bourbon
  • High West Double Rye!
  • High West Rendezvous Rye
  • High West Campfire (blended whiskey)
  • High West Bourye
  • High West High Country American Single Malt

Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery (Nashville, TN):

  • Belle Meade Bourbon (Sour Mash, Reserve, Cask Strength, various finishes)
  • Nelson’s First 108 Tennessee Whiskey
  • Nelson Brothers Whiskey

Proximo Spirits (Jersey City, NJ)

Stranahan’s Colorado Whiskey (Denver, CO):

  • Stranahan’s Original American Single Malt
  • Stranahan’s Sherry Cask
  • Stranahan’s Diamond Peak
  • Stranahan’s Snowflake (annual limited)
  • Stranahan’s Mountain Angel

🏡 NOTABLE INDEPENDENT / CRAFT PRODUCERS

Michter’s (independently owned — Louisville, KY)

  • Michter’s US*1 Bourbon, Rye, Sour Mash, American Whiskey
  • Michter’s Toasted Barrel Bourbon & Rye
  • Michter’s 10 Year Bourbon & Rye
  • Michter’s 20 & 25 Year Bourbon (limited)
  • Michter’s Celebration Sour Mash (ultra-limited)

Willett Distillery (Bardstown, KY — family-owned)

  • Willett Pot Still Reserve Bourbon
  • Willett Family Estate Single Barrel (Bourbon & Rye)
  • Noah’s Mill Bourbon
  • Rowan’s Creek Bourbon
  • Kentucky Vintage Bourbon
  • Johnny Drum Private Stock Bourbon
  • Old Bardstown Bourbon

WhistlePig Farm (Shoreham, VT — independently owned)

  • WhistlePig 10 Year Rye
  • WhistlePig 12 Year Rye
  • WhistlePig 15 Year Rye
  • WhistlePig PiggyBack Rye & Bourbon
  • WhistlePig FarmStock Rye
  • WhistlePig 18 Year “The Beholden” (American Single Malt)
  • WhistlePig HomeStock Rye
  • WhistlePig The Boss Hog (annual single barrel limited)

New Riff Distilling (Newport, KY — independently owned)

  • New Riff Kentucky Straight Bourbon (Bottled-in-Bond)
  • New Riff Kentucky Straight Rye (Bottled-in-Bond)
  • New Riff Malted Rye
  • New Riff Winter Whiskey
  • New Riff Sour Mash Single Malt

Balcones Distilling (Waco, TX — independently owned)

  • Balcones Texas Single Malt (True Blue Corn Whisky, Texas Pot Still, Baby Blue)
  • Balcones Rumble (cane-based)
  • Balcones Brimstone (smoked corn whisky)
  • Balcones #1 Texas Single Malt
  • Balcones Lineage American Single Malt

St. George Spirits (Alameda, CA — independently owned)

  • St. George Single Malt Whisky (annual Lot releases)
  • St. George Baller Single Malt (Scotch-style)

Bardstown Bourbon Company (Bardstown, KY — independently owned)

  • Discovery Series, Origin Series, and Collaborative Series bourbons and ryes
  • Bardstown Bourbon Fusion Series
  • Bardstown Bourbon Prisoner Wine Co. Collaboration (and others)

Virginia Distillery Co. (Lovingston, VA — independently owned)

  • Courage & Conviction American Single Malt (flagship, plus Cuvée, Sherry Cask, and Bourbon Cask expressions)
  • Prelude American Single Malt

Westward Whiskey (Portland, OR — independently owned)

  • Westward American Single Malt
  • Westward Stout Cask
  • Westward Pinot Noir Cask
  • Westward Cask Strength
  • Westward Milestone (annual solera release)

Castle & Key Distillery (Frankfort, KY — independently owned)

  • Sacred Spring Bourbon
  • Restoration Rye
  • Small Batch Bourbon
  • Roots of Rye

Cedar Ridge Distillery (Swisher, IA — independently owned)

  • Cedar Ridge Iowa Bourbon
  • Cedar Ridge Iowa Single Malt
  • Cedar Ridge Wheat Whiskey
  • QuintEssential Iowa Single Malt

Corsair Distillery (Nashville, TN — independently owned)

  • Corsair Triple Smoke American Malt
  • Corsair Ryemageddon
  • Corsair Quinoa Whiskey
  • Corsair Oatrage (oat whiskey)

Clear Creek Distillery / Hood River Distillers (Hood River, OR)

  • McCarthy’s Oregon Single Malt (one of the original American single malts, 1990s)

Copperworks Distilling Co. (Seattle, WA — independently owned)

  • Copperworks American Single Malt (Release 001, 002, etc. — vintage batches)
  • Copperworks Special Releases (wine cask, etc.)

Frey Ranch Distillery (Fallon, NV — independently owned)

  • Frey Ranch Straight Bourbon
  • Frey Ranch Straight Rye
  • Frey Ranch American Single Malt

Kentucky Owl (SPI Group — produced in Kentucky)

  • Kentucky Owl Bourbon (Batch releases)
  • Kentucky Owl Rye
  • Kentucky Owl St. Patrick’s Edition
  • Kentucky Owl Confiscated Bourbon

Limestone Branch Distillery (Lebanon, KY — part of MGP/Luxco)

(Listed above under MGP)

📝 A Few Important Notes

MGP as a Supply Distillery: MGP’s distilled spirits are sold under about 50 different brand names by various bottling companies. One primary product is a straight rye whiskey with a 95% rye mash bill, bottled under various brand names including Bulleit Rye, Templeton Rye, Smooth Ambler, George Dickel Rye, James E. Pepper, and others. Many “craft” brands you see on shelves are actually MGP liquid.

The American Single Malt category is the newest and fastest-growing segment. The TTB officially added the American Single Malt Whiskey Standard of Identity in December 2024, with an effective date of January 19, 2025 — the first new whiskey type added to U.S. regulations in over 52 years. There are over 200 distilleries in America now making single malt.

The BTAC (Buffalo Trace Antique Collection) refers to five annual limited releases from Sazerac’s Buffalo Trace: Eagle Rare 17, George T. Stagg, Sazerac 18 Rye, Thomas H. Handy Rye, and William Larue Weller.

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