Preservation Distillery
Brief overview of the distillery
Preservation Distillery is located on a family-owned farm in Bardstown, Kentucky, and is one of the area’s smallest distilleries. Here pot-distills in 1–3 barrel micro-batches, and the company combines an ambition to recreate old-fashioned intensity in bourbon with a declared commitment to sustainability and slow maturation.
History
The story begins with the region's early bourbon production: in 1776 Wattie Boone and Stephen Ritchie were among the first documented distillers on the land that today houses Preservation Farm. Generations later, the family purchased the property with the aim of preserving both land and tradition. Marci Palatella realized a long-standing dream of a small pot‑distillery on the family property and has built the business without external investor funding, allowing a focus on microbatches, pot‑distillation, and a long-term maturation strategy. After more than seven years of patience, they began selecting and releasing the first estate‑aged fades under the Preservation name.
Raw materials and production
Production centers on pot‑distillation in very small batches of 1–3 barrels. The distillery describes itself as 100% pot‑distilled in Nelson County and works with low barrel-entry proof for certain releases, as well as bottling in cask strength and without chill filtration. Grains such as wheat and rye are mentioned in connection with estate releases. Each barrel is overseen during maturation by a Master of Maturation, and releases take place only when the barrels reach the desired level of maturity. This working method means releases primarily come as single barrels or small runs in limited quantities.
Maturation and barrel types
Maturation occurs slowly with a fixed requirement for long aging; the distillery targets a minimum of 6–7 years, and the first estate production has aged for more than seven years. Many bottles come from hand-picked barrels, have a low barrel-entry proof, and are bottled unfiltered and at cask strength. The Master of Maturation closely oversees the ongoing selection of barrels for release.
Whiskies
The core of the range is estate‑distilled, pot‑distilled bourbon and rye, released in small, hand-selected portions. The site notably highlights an Estate Wheated Pot Distilled Kentucky Bourbon and general Kentucky pot‑distilled bourbon and rye releases. The products are offered as single‑barrel or small batch releases, often presented as limited releases from selected barrels.
| Whisky | Type / Series | Age | Barrel and Style | Flavor Profile | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Estate Wheated Pot Distilled Kentucky Bourbon | Bourbon | Minimum 6–7 years | Not specified | Estate wheated bourbon pot‑distilled in 1–3 barrel micro-batches; released as unfiltered cask‑strength with low barrel-entry proof and slow maturation. | Limited; Limited release from hand-selected barrels |
| Kentucky Pot‑Distilled Estate Bourbon | Bourbon | Minimum 6–7 years | Not specified | Estate pot‑distilled bourbon from Preservation Farm, produced in very small 1–3 barrel batches and aged for at least six to seven years before release. | Limited; Hand‑picked, limited releases |
| Kentucky Pot‑Distilled Estate Rye | Rye | Minimum 6–7 years | Not specified | Estate rye distilled and aged at Preservation Farm, released in limited quantities after long aging. | Limited; Limited release |
Visit the distillery
The distillery offers several experience types: combined tours and tastings, standalone tastings, and VIP private experiences. Experiences can be booked via the website, and prices start at $24. Visitors can participate in barrel picks and purchase limited bottles to take home. Opening hours are Monday–Saturday 9:30–17:00 and Sunday 9:30–16:00.
The stated opening hours are Monday - Saturday 9:30am - 5:00pm; Sunday 9:30am - 4:00pm.
Philosophy and craft
Preservation combines a desire to preserve historic craftsmanship with a forward-looking approach: the motto Thinking Forward, Looking Back reflects the aim of protecting land and tradition while making 'big, bold' bourbon. Without investor funding, they prioritize craftsmanship, patience, and sustainability over rapid volume growth.
Sustainability
Commitment to preserving land and tradition as part of the operating model's values.