A group of Louisville brothers just opened the first Black-owned bourbon distillery in the state of Kentucky, WKYT reports.
Bryson, Chris and Victor Yarborough were born and raised in Louisville, Kentucky, eventually leaving the city to serve in the U.S. Army and travel the world. When the brothers decided they wanted to start a business, the trio knew they had to come back home if they were going to leave their mark.
“If we’re going to come back to start a business, we’re coming back to this area. We believe we have something of value to add,” Bryson said.
Brough Brothers Bourbon was named in honor of their family name and their Louisville ties. The Yarborough brothers started it in London, England, operating as an export company selling bottles on Amazon. Their first full barrel of bourbon was crafted in 2020, showcasing a European-style bottle boasting Kentucky nostalgia.
“We have representation of the horse racing industry, boxing, the bourbon industry, the skyline and wildlife,” Chris said.
Now the trio has returned home, opening a distillery in the Park Hill neighborhood of Louisville and making history as the first Black-owned bourbon distillery in the state. Each brother has their role, Bryson operating as the head distiller, ensuring the barrels are prepped and filled before turning them into bourbon. Not only are they creating a great product, but the brothers are also hoping to drive revenue to West Louisville. Bryson said he’s proud of the work they’re doing and even more excited for the future.
“One side is, we’ve come a long way. The other side is, we have a long way to go,” he said.
