Early Distilling

In the early 20th century, Lexington and Louisville were bustling hubs for whiskey brokers. These brokers would purchase barrels of whiskey from local distillers, particularly those in Central Kentucky, including smaller operations in Jessamine (Nicholasville) and Anderson (Lawrenceburg) counties. They would then bottle the whiskey under their own brand labels and distribute it to whiskey houses across the United States. A common marketing tactic was to use names like “Old,” “Anderson,” “Fayette,” and other fictitious distiller names to add a touch of authenticity and allure.

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For instance, the Ashland Distillery, established in 1865 in Lexington, was one of the first to obtain a federally registered distillery license. It produced brands like “Ashland Whiskey” and “Old Tarr Whiskey,” which were marketed as pure copper-distilled whiskey. The distillery’s products were distributed widely, and the use of evocative names helped create a sense of tradition and quality.

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Another example is the William Tarr Distillery, which was known for its “Old Tarr Whiskey.” This brand became quite popular and was distributed extensively, leveraging the reputation of Kentucky bourbon to appeal to a broader market.

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The “Bottle In Bond” designation was a special case, requiring the whiskey to be bottled at the distillery under federal supervision. Brokers would often lease the distillery for a few days, allowing them to be named as the distiller, a practice known as “doing business as.” There is no record of J.H. Traynor owning a distillery, so it is likely that the bottled-in-bond whiskey was produced in this manner.

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For example, a broker might lease the facilities of a distillery like the Old Fire Copper Distillery (now Buffalo Trace) in Frankfort, which has been in operation since 1787. By leasing the distillery, the broker could legally bottle the whiskey under the “Bottle In Bond” act, ensuring the product met federal standards and could be marketed with the prestigious designation.

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These practices were not just about legality but also about marketing. The “Bottle In Bond” label assured consumers of the whiskey’s quality and authenticity, as it guaranteed the product was aged for at least four years and bottled at 100 proof under government supervision.