Mellwood & Derby Town: Historic Brands Return to Louisville
The collection debuts with two expressions in 375ml hip flask bottles: Mellwood Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon and Derby Town Barrel Proof Bourbon. Both releases pay homage to brands that once thrived at the historic distillery site.
“It’s an honor to restore these labels,” said Kenny Coleman, Co-Founder of Pursuit Spirits. “This is an opportunity to celebrate Kentucky’s bourbon heritage while introducing these brands to a new generation of whiskey connoisseurs. We paid attention to every detail.”
The original Mellwood Distillery Co. was established in 1865 by George W. Swearingen on what was then Reservoir Avenue, later renamed Mellwood Avenue after the distillery. The operation grew significantly, supplying whiskey to notable rectifiers like George Garvin Brown, before being acquired by the Whiskey Trust in 1899.
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READ THE STORYRudolph Balke, who served as president of Mellwood Distillery, played a leading role in the creation of the Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897 – legislation that the new Mellwood bourbon honors through its production standards.
Mellwood Distillery’s closure was forced in 1918 by impending Prohibition.
After Prohibition ended, Walter Leonard Borgerding established General Distillers Corporation of Kentucky in the former Mellwood facilities in 1933. After extensive renovations, production resumed in December 1935 and continued until the 1960s, with bottling operations continuing briefly afterward. Most buildings were demolished by 1974.
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This new release from Pursuit Spirits is revitalizing the legacy of Mellwood Distillery, and the important people who played a part in its history.
Pursuit Spirits’ New Release Details
Derby Town Barrel Proof Bourbon revives a brand once produced by General Distillers Corporation, which operated at the site following Prohibition’s repeal in 1933. The 7-year-old bourbon is bottled at barrel proof (122.8 for the first batch) and features a mash bill with 78% corn, 10% rye, and 12% malted barley. It sells for $49.99.
Pursuit Spirits’ release connects modern bourbon enthusiasts with these historic brands while celebrating Louisville’s distilling heritage. The bottles feature period-appropriate design elements, including Derby imagery on the Derby Town expression.
The Mellwood Legacy Collection is available exclusively at the Pursuit Spirits Distillery and to P.Club members.
