The Bardstown Bourbon Co. (BBCo), Bardstown, Ky., announced that Grain & Barrel Spirits, the maker of pre-prohibition brand Chicken Cock Whiskey, has joined BBCo’s Collaborative Distilling Program. Grain & Barrel will work with BBCo to produce custom bourbon and whiskey for the Chicken Cock brand, which dates back to 1856. BBCo and Grain & Barrel concluded their first distillation of 616 barrels at the end of August.
Through BBCo’s distilling program, Grain & Barrel’s Master Distiller Gregg Snyder will collaborate with Bourbon Hall of Fame Master Distiller Steve Nally and BBCo’s distilling team, which is led by John Hargrove, executive director of distilling operations, to produce its high-quality, small-batch whiskey, bourbon, and rye.
“Joining the Collaborative Distilling Program at BBCo completes the exciting resurrection of Chicken Cock, one of the oldest bourbon brands in the country,” said Matti Anttila, chief executive officer (CEO) of Grain & Barrel Spirits, in a statement. “The brand is now officially 100 percent back home in Kentucky, a mere 80 miles from Paris, where its story began 162 years ago. Working with the world class team at BBCo we are confident that the brand’s best years are ahead of it.”
David Mandell, CEO of BBCo added: “We are proud to work with the Grain & Barrel team and become the home for Chicken Cock Whiskey. Chicken Cock Whiskey has an incredible history in Kentucky, and we are excited to add to the next chapter in its development.”
Due to the success of its sold-out Collaborative Distilling Program, BBCo recently expanded its 3 million proof gallon capacity to 6.8 million proof gallons, which started operating July 1.
