One of the most controversial things in the American whiskey world is the notion that bourbon can be made outside of Kentucky. While there were several decades during the 20th century when bourbon was almost exclusively made in Kentucky, it has been made outside of the state for almost as long as it has been called bourbon. One such producer is the Holladay Distillery in Weston, Missouri – although its story does start in Kentucky, in Nicholas County, the birthplace of brothers Ben and David Holladay.
“Our history dates back to 1856,” explains master distiller Kyle Merklein. “Ben Holladay and his brother, David, were from Kentucky and they knew the importance of limestone spring water. They had various businesses in Weston itself, and they bought this property, which was an existing slaughterhouse. They knew that the spring water was here, and so they took a risk
