Casey Jones Distillery is named after a legendary still maker from Kentucky’s Golden Pond, located in the Land Between the Lakes. For over 30 years, Casey Jones crafted all-copper stills, starting his work during Prohibition. He was particularly known for his square pot stills, or coffin stills, designed to fit neatly in a wagon or, later, in the back of a truck. This design gave moonshiners a significant advantage, allowing them to relocate quickly to evade law enforcement.
Producing stills was illegal during Prohibition, and although Casey managed to avoid capture for many years, he was eventually apprehended and sentenced to two years at Mill Point Federal Penitentiary in West Virginia. After Prohibition, Casey continued his remarkable work for decades, creating his last still in 1967. I was captivated by this still, appreciating both its simplicity and innovative design.
This still is proudly displayed at the distillery in Hopkinsville, about 30 miles east of Golden Pond. Our visit was the last stop of the day during a tour of Western Kentucky, which also included Green River in Owensboro and The Bard in Graham. The distilleries in this region are slightly farther apart than those in Central Kentucky, but the extra travel time is offset by the unique character and intimacy of the experiences offered.
During our visit, we met Arlon Casey “AJ” Jones, the grandson of the legendary still maker and the founder and Master Distiller of Casey Jones Distillery. I am certain Casey would be proud of AJ and the accomplishments of the entire staff. If you’re looking for a wide selection of spirits, this is the place to be. They produce moonshine, bourbon, whiskey, and rye, and you will have the opportunity to sample most of them during their tastings.
Many of these selections have earned prestigious awards over the years, including several silver, gold, and platinum awards from the American Craft Spirits Association (ACSA) and Fred Minnick’s ASCOT awards. In 2023, their four-grain wheated bourbon was named Kentucky’s best craft whiskey in a blind judging by the ACSA.
The “Casey Jones Experience” includes a tour of the distillery, a tasting, and a mash maker experience. This unique opportunity allows you to help select the grains that will be used in the mash bill for their next signature bourbon.
This experience stands out compared to other locations and promises to create lasting memories of your time in Bourbon Country. My write-ups are based on personal experiences, but I also pay attention to reviews on TripAdvisor and Google. Casey Jones Distillery boasts an impressive 4.9 out of 5 stars from 881 reviews on Google.
Casey Jones is open to the public seven days a week, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, all in Central Time. You must be 21 to participate in tastings, but minors accompanied by an adult are welcome on the tour and can participate at no cost.
Mark Meade is the author of The Bourbon Journey, a travel guide that highlights our iconic bourbon distilleries and the experience of bourbon tourism. This column serves as a natural extension of the book. All rights reserved. For questions or comments, contact the author at [email protected].
