Historic Kentucky Bourbon Brand E.J. Curley & Co. Sees A Revival

Startup distillery and historic bourbon brand name E.J. Curley & Co. announced recently it plans to establish a facility in Jessamine County, Kentucky, with a more than $5 million investment expected to create 52 full-time jobs.

The distillery will be located at Camp Nelson at the same site as the original E.J. Curley & Co. operation, which operated in Jessamine County from the late 1860s. The 22,500-square-foot facility is expected to welcome more than 100,000 visitors annually, and will offer two Kentucky mash bills that will reflect traditional bourbon whiskey.

“The continued growth of the bourbon industry in our state is great news for the future of Kentucky and our residents,” Kentucky Governor Beshear said in a prepared statement. “E.J. Curley & Co. is bringing back a historic distillery to our state, and this new venture will create quality job opportunities in Jessamine County and the surrounding region. Thank you to the leaders at E.J. Curley for this commitment to the commonwealth, and I look forward to watching the company grow well into the future.”

The E.J. Curley name dates back to the Civil War era and was known as the Kentucky River Distillery at the Kentucky Palisades following prohibition until the 1960s.

“We are excited to bring E.J. Curley Distillery back to Jessamine County. The 52 new jobs and progressive investments planned by this company for Jessamine County will make a tremendous impact on our community,” Jessamine County Judge/Executive David West said. “E.J. Curley Distillery has deep roots in Jessamine County that go back to its beginnings after the Civil War. Many of our residents’ families are historically tied to this company, so we’re delighted help E.J. Curley become the next member of Kentucky’s Bourbon Trail!”

An E.J. Curley & Co. Revival Tour is planned for later this year, a soft launch where visitors can buy spirits and mixed drinks, visit historic nature trails and enjoy other experiences. Spirits production is slated to begin by May 2022, along with the opening of a tasting room.

“We are delighted to be the lone distillery in Jessamine County,” E.J. Curley President Matthew Parker said. “The history of Camp Nelson and Boone’s Knoll is a shining star for the commonwealth, and it thrills us to revive production of America’s spirit at the original location of E.J. Curley & Co.”