Barton

Introduction:

The Barton distillery is known for producing two main Bourbons along with several other smaller brands. The first is the 1792 Ridgemont Reserve, a premium small batch whiskey. The second is the ‘Very Old Barton’, a Bourbon typically aged for 4 – 6 years.

The Production:

The production process at the Barton distillery has some unique aspects compared to a typical Kentucky Straight Bourbon. They maintain a more traditional approach by using coal to fire their boiler for process steam. New regulations have required the installation of filters on their chimney due to environmental considerations, which might increase their operational costs over time.

One distinguishing feature is the use of outdoor fermenters. Some of these large stainless steel tanks are positioned right behind the distillery, exposing them to the changing temperatures throughout the seasons.

Additionally, the distillery sources water from the Tom Moore Spring located on their property. This spring provides low – iron limestone water, contributing to the distinctive taste of their Bourbon.

The Stills:

At Barton distillery, column stills are utilized for the distillation process. The distillery has a variety of stills in their still – room, some of which are insulated, while others have a plain metal exterior. These stills are notably tall, providing ample space for the alcohol to separate and create a refined raw Whiskey during the distillation process.

The Mashing:

Barton distillery employs a mash bill consisting solely of corn, rye, and malted barley. The grains are crushed in a hammer – mill before being processed in the mash tub. Prior to fermentation, a portion of the still residue is incorporated into the mash to achieve a lower pH value, benefiting the yeast. This practice is known as the sour mash process, as the residue contributes acidity to the mix.

The Warehouses:

Barton distillery ages its Whiskey in conventional unheated rick houses. These warehouses are seven stories tall and feature three levels of ricks on each floor. This significant height difference affects the maturation process from top to bottom. Each warehouse can hold approximately 19,000 barrels. Staying true to the Kentucky Straight Bourbon regulations, Barton exclusively employs fresh American white oak barrels for aging.

The History:

The distillery’s history has seen several name changes and ownership transitions. Established in 1889 by Tom Moore, it was shuttered during Prohibition in 1920. After the 21st Amendment in December 1933, Tom Moore’s son Con Moore reopened the distillery. However, due to circumstances, Con Moore had to sell the distillery in 1944, leading to its renaming as the Barton distillery. In 2008, Barton Brands, the distillery’s parent company, reverted to its original name, the Tom Moore distillery.

In 2009, the Sazerac Company acquired the distillery and reverted to calling it the Barton distillery. In June 2018, a major incident occurred when one of the distillery’s warehouses collapsed, resulting in the loss of around 18,000 barrels of whiskey. Subsequently, the remaining part of the warehouse also collapsed, causing some environmental impact and prompting the distillery to rethink its storage approach. As a result, the distillery built three new warehouses, completed in 2021, providing a 25% increase in storage capacity.

The Visitor Centre:

The Barton distillery began welcoming visitors in 2012, offering a modest tour of the distillery premises, including a visit to one of their warehouses. These tours are currently provided at no cost to visitors and also include the opportunity to taste two of the distillery’s products as part of the experience.

Fun Fact:

There is a picnic area at the campus with the worlds largest barrel on it.

Visitor information:

Barton Distillery
300 Barton Road
Bardstown
Kentucky 40004
Tel: +1(866) 239 – 4690
Email: giftshop@bartonbrands.com