The Kentucky Distillers’ Association announced that All Nations Distillery in Garrard County is the newest member of the non-profit trade group that unites and leads Kentucky’s signature Bourbon and distilled spirits industry.

All Nations was founded in 2018 by Matt Shirah, its chief executive officer, and Ray Franklin, senior vice president. Located at 450 Southern Soul Way, the distillery is nestled among 230 acres near downtown Lancaster, which is wet – allows the sale of alcohol – while the county is “dry.”

In fact, Garrard County was the birthplace of Carrie A. Nation, an anti-alcohol advocate famous for using a hatchet to demolish taverns before Prohibition. Many saloons proudly displayed signs that read, “All nations welcome except Carrie,” which is where the distillery took its name. 

The distillery plans to celebrate the history of Carrie Nation and has even restored her stone home on its grounds. Its All Nations brands include an 11-year rye, a Kentucky Straight Bourbon, a 6-year small batch and All Nations Prohibition Reserve, a marriage of a 15-year Kentucky Bourbon and 11-year rye. 

“The All Nations team appreciates the KDA’s advocacy and welcomes the opportunity to work with other KDA members,” Shirah said in a news release. “Our team is focused on making positive contributions to Garrard County, the great Commonwealth of Kentucky, and the Kentucky distilling industry.“

KDA President Eric Gregory said All Nations offers a distinct perspective on the industry’s rich heritage by educating consumers and tourists about its Prohibition-era history. 

“They’re a great addition to the growing distillery presence along the U.S. 27 corridor,” Gregory said. “On behalf of the KDA and its members, we thank All Nations for their investment in our beloved Commonwealth and proudly welcome them to our growing family of Kentucky’s finest distillers.”

A Class B licensed distiller, All Nations joins KDA as a Craft-level member aging less than 10,000 barrels a year and is part of a growing list of distilleries in the Bluegrass region including Wilderness Trail, Blue Rook and Kentucky Mountain Moonshine. Garrard County is about an hour south of Lexington, Ky. 

The distillery also is now eligible to apply to join the KDA’s Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour®, which the association created in 2012 as the nation’s first and only tourism attraction to showcase the flourishing artisan distilling movement.

Learn more at https://allnationswhiskey.com/.