Kentucky is known for its bourbon, but whats often forgotten is the long history of black distillers in the state. Husband and wife Sean and Tia Edwards plan to put black-owned distilleries back on the map.

Growing up in Kentucky, Sean helped his uncle and grandfather bootleg alcohol by collecting and cleaning bottles on the weekends. He told the story at a gathering to announce the new distillery in remembrance of his uncle, who died a few months earlier.

I was always fascinated about the making of alcohol, he said to the crowd.

Sean registered Fresh Bourbon Distilling Co. in 2017 as a premier, African-American-owned Bourbon brand. The companys products are mashed, fermented, distilled, matured and later bottled entirely in Kentucky. For now, their recipes are being produced under a contract with Hartfield & Co. Distillery, in Paris, Ky.

For nearly three years, we have been diligently developing an authentic and unique Bourbon and spirits line. We chose not to buy Bourbon from someone else and just place our name on a bottle, Sean Edwards said in a release. We have been very intentional and deliberate in crafting our spirits from the mash bills up and also our Fresh Bourbon team, including in selecting our master distiller. We are excited to share with the world what we have created with the world.

The master distiller, whose name has not been announced, will reportedly be the first black master distiller in Kentucky after slavery.

Bourbon is a mainstay of Kentuckys economy, and I am thrilled to see this step toward greater inclusivity in this iconic industry, said Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear in the release. Creating opportunities for all Kentuckians is essential, and our administration aims to pave the way for progress. I sincerely thank Fresh Bourbon Distilling Co. for choosing to build its distillery in our state.

The Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority (KEDFA) approved a 10-year incentive agreement in December with Fresh Bourbon. In exchange for creating and maintaining 15 full-time jobs for Kentucky residents over 10 years with benefits and an hourly wage of $18, the company will receive up to $200,000 in tax incentives.

Customers can taste the spirits from the distillery planned for Lexington's Distillery District in late 2020.

Read more from the original source:

Meet the husband and wife team behind Kentucky's first black-owned distillery - The Hill