Spirits · Crestwood, Kentucky
Jefferson's
Kentucky bourbon blenders known for curious aging experiments, including bourbon aged at sea.
- Founded
- 1997
- Founded by
- Trey Zoeller, Chet Zoeller
- Based in
- Crestwood, Kentucky
Making it since
1997
Their story
Jefferson's Bourbon began in 1997 as a father-and-son project between Trey Zoeller and his father, Chet, a bourbon historian. Trey's company was named McClain & Kyne after family ancestors, and the pair started out blending whiskey bought from other Kentucky distilleries.
The brand found a physical home at Kentucky Artisan Distillery in Crestwood, outside Louisville. Castle Brands took over McClain & Kyne in the mid-2000s, and the brand is now part of Pernod Ricard, which in 2022 announced plans for a new distillery in Marion County, Kentucky.
How it's made
Jefferson's built its name on blending barrels from several sources to a house style. Its best-known experiment, Jefferson's Ocean, takes bourbon aged six to seven years and sends it on voyages of about six months, where the ship's motion and temperature swings push the spirit deeper into the wood.
Why we carry them
We enjoy pouring Jefferson's Ocean next to a standard bourbon to taste what time at sea does. It is a fun conversation starter for any whiskey fan.
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