FRANKFORT, Ky. – The Kentucky Distillers’ Association today announced that Three Boys Farm Distillery in Franklin County is the newest and 49th member of the nonprofit trade group that unites and leads Kentucky’s signature bourbon and distilled spirits industry.
Three Boys Farm Distillery was founded in 2012 on a scenic 127-acre farm in rural Franklin County. Located at 283 Crab Orchard Road, the facility hosts thousands of visitors each year to participate in the modest, authentic, family-owned craft distillery experience.
Entrepreneur and former architect Walter Zausch recently purchased the distillery and has been working aggressively to enhance the popular visitor center experience and event facilities, update production equipment and expand operational capacity.
The picturesque farm features the distillery, bottling line, gift shop and barrel storage nestled among fields of heirloom variety corn used in their Bourbons. Current products include Three Boys Bourbon, Three Boys Rye Whiskey, Whiskey Thief Crafted Bourbon, Whiskey Thief Rye Whiskey and Foggy Dog Flavored Whiskey.
“We couldn’t be more excited to join the KDA,” said Zausch, who is originally from Henderson, Ky.
“We offer a unique and hands-on experience for our visitors and guests. As we get ready to celebrate our 10th year as a craft distillery, our membership and partnership with the KDA will help us achieve our goal of offering one of the best small batch and single barrel experiences in Kentucky.”
KDA President Eric Gregory applauded Zausch for updating the distilling side of the business while keeping the intimate, home-spun visitor experience that has proven popular with guests. “Three Boys is not glitz and glamour, and that’s what appeals to visitors seeking the true craft experience,” he said.
“Walter is a whiskey aficionado who also brings decades of experience as an entrepreneur and leader in customer experience in California’s tech industry. We look forward to his unique perspective and proudly welcome Three Boys Farm to our growing family of Kentucky’s finest distillers.”
Three Boys Farm Distillery is the KDA’s 29th Craft-level member, aging less than 10,000 barrels a year.
The distillery also is now eligible to apply to join the KDA’s Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour.
Kentucky bourbon is one of the commonwealth’s most historic industries, a thriving $8.6 billion economic and tourism engine that generates more than 20,100 jobs with an annual payroll topping $1 billion each year, and accounts for over $300 million in local and state taxes and $1.8 billion in federal alcohol taxes.
A key export, the iconic industry is currently in the middle of a $5.1 billion building boom, from innovative new tourism experiences to expanded production facilities, bottling centers and aging warehouses, all to meet the growing global thirst for Kentucky bourbon.
