The Kentucky Distillers’ Association announced that Coal Pick Distillery in Muhlenberg County is the newest and 50th member of the nonprofit trade group.

Founded by Kevin and Carrie Lawrence in 2017, the distillery is situated on 2,700 acres just outside an area once known as Paradise, Kentucky. The landscape features lakes, rolling hills and meadows with an array of indiginous wildlife.

The operation consists of production of Coal Pick’s own products as well as contract distilling and storage for private label clients. The new rickhouse uses steel framing and a pallet racking system with the capacity to store 2,300 barrels.

In the future, Coal Pick plans to be a destination for people to enjoy an extended experience complete with wildlife sight-seeing, fishing, and distilling education. Located at 1825 Log Creek Lane in Drakesboro, the distillery released its first Kentucky Straight Wheated Bourbon earlier this year. 

Facility Manager Whitney Spence thanked the KDA family for the opportunity to join.

“We look forward to meeting and working with everyone as we continue to produce products and advance our industry,” he said in a news release. “I love making Bourbon and love that there are other companies that do as well. I am thankful that our industry has hard-working people like the fine folks on the KDA team fighting to help our industry grow and prosper.”

KDA President Eric Gregory said he has been following the distillery’s progress over the past few years and is thrilled to welcome them to the KDA as the milestone 50th member – the most since the glorious Repeal of Prohibition. 

“Kevin, Whitney and the Coal Pick team are building a premium destination in Paradise, one of the most scenic and beautiful areas of Kentucky,” Gregory said. “We are impressed with their growth and vision, and proudly welcome them to our growing family of Kentucky’s finest distillers.” 

Coal Pick Distillery is the KDA’s 30th Craft-level member, aging less than 10,000 barrels a year. They join The Bard Distillery in Muhlenberg County in Western Kentucky as KDA members. Coal Pick also is now eligible to apply to join the KDA’s Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour.