What Augusta Distillery does

Augusta Distillery is a privately held Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey producer founded in 2018 and headquartered at 207 Seminary Avenue in Augusta, Kentucky, on the limestone banks of the Ohio River in Bracken County. The company began as an independent bottler and evolved into a full-fledged distiller, releasing its first production batch in July 2020. Its core technology is traditional bourbon production using new charred American oak barrels, with a single-barrel, cask-strength, unfiltered bottling philosophy. The distillery operates a seven-story rickhouse with traditional wood ricks providing storage capacity for 30,000 barrels, representing significant capital-intensive aging infrastructure relative to the company's sub-10-employee headcount.

The product portfolio centers on the Buckner's ultra-premium single-barrel brand, with age-stated expressions at 10, 13, 15, and 17 years, alongside Old Route 8 (8-year single barrel), Small Batch Bourbon, and Wheated Single Barrel Bourbon. Pricing ranges from $69.99 for Small Batch to $419.99 for Buckner's 17-Year. The distillery also offers a tourism-driven experiential portfolio including a $29 Production Tour, $29 River Proof Barrel Experience, $99 Rolling on the River cigar experience, Private Barrel Selections, a $999.99 Distiller for the Day program, and a $35,000 Ultimate Bourbon Bucket List four-day immersive experience.

The business model combines direct-to-consumer sales through the distillery's Shopify-based e-commerce storefront and on-site tasting room with retail distribution across 23+ states and online shipping to 19 states. The company joined the Kentucky Bourbon Trail and B-Line craft bourbon trail in August 2023 as an official stop, providing access to bourbon tourism traffic. Revenue streams include bourbon product sales, paid distillery tours and experiences, and event hosting for weddings, corporate gatherings, and private celebrations. The brand has accumulated substantial third-party validation, including the 2023 World's Best Bourbon designation at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition for Buckner's 13-Year, plus multiple Double Gold and Gold medals across major spirits competitions from 2023 through 2025.

Name

Augusta Distillery

Legal name

Augusta Distillery

Website

https://augustakydistillery.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Augusta Distillery produces premium Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey, specializing in single-barrel, cask-strength, unfiltered expressions under the Buckner's brand alongside Old Route 8 and Small Batch offerings. The Augusta, Kentucky-based distillery serves bourbon collectors, retail consumers across 23+ states, and Kentucky Bourbon Trail tourists via DTC, retail, and experiential channels.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Premium Bourbon Whiskey

NAICS

Distilleries (312140), Distilleries (31214), Beer, Wine, and Liquor Retailers (4453)

SIC

Beverages (2080), Wholesale-Beer, Wine & Distilled Alcoholic Beverages (5180)

akta.pro primary industry

Spirits Distilling & Brands (CRADAIAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Spirits Distillery Tours & Tastings (Whiskey, Rum, Gin, Vodka) (THAJAGAF), Spirits/Cocktail Bars Operated by Producers (THAFALAJ), Spirits Retail & Whiskey Shops (Off-Premise) (CRANAAAD), Beer, Wine & Spirits Wholesale Distribution (CRAOAIAA), Liquor Stores (General Off-Premise) (CRANAAAA)

Keywords

• Single barrel bourbon
• Cask strength whiskey
• Kentucky bourbon
• Bourbon distillery tours
• Craft bourbon production

Headquarters

HQ city

Augusta

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Infrastructure, Personnel, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Bourbon Product Sales: Direct sales of bourbon products including Buckner's Single Barrel expressions (10, 13, 15, 17 year), Old Route 8, Small Batch Bourbon, and Wheated Single Barrel Bourbon. Sold through DTC e-commerce, distillery, and retail distribution.
2. Experiences and Tours: Paid experiences including River Proof Barrel Experience ($29), Production Tour ($29), Rolling on the River cigar experience ($99), Private Barrel Selections, Distiller for the Day ($999.99), and Ultimate Bourbon Bucket List ($35,000).
3. Event Hosting: Private event hosting for weddings, rehearsal dinners, corporate gatherings, and celebrations. Customizable event packages with bar services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Augusta Distillery produces and sells premium Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey, with a portfolio focused on single-barrel, cask-strength, unfiltered expressions under the Buckner's brand (10, 13, 15, and 17 year age statements) plus Small Batch Bourbon, Wheated Single Barrel Bourbon, and Old Route 8. The distillery also generates revenue through bourbon tourism experiences including production tours, tastings, cigar pairings, private barrel selections, and luxury multi-day immersion programs.

Product overview

Augusta Distillery is a Kentucky bourbon producer offering a portfolio of premium single-barrel, unfiltered cask strength expressions under the Buckner's brand (10-year, 13-year, 15-year, and 17-year ages) plus Small Batch Bourbon, Wheated Single Barrel Bourbon, and Old Route 8 (8-year). The distillery also offers experiential tourism products including the River Proof Barrel Experience, Production Tour, Rolling on the River cigar experience, Private Barrel Selections, Distiller for the Day program, and the Ultimate Bourbon Bucket List multi-day experience. The product philosophy emphasizes never blended, never diluted, single-barrel bourbons with unique character from each barrel.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Buckner's: Ultra-premium single barrel bourbon expressions named in tribute to Revolutionary War Hero Captain Philip Buckner. Includes 10-year, 13-year, 15-year, and 17-year age statements. All expressions are unfiltered cask strength Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey.
• Old Route 8
• Small Batch Bourbon
• Wheated Single Barrel Bourbon
• River Proof Series

Products and services

• Buckner's Single Barrel 13 Year Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey aged 13 years in new charred oak barrels. Single barrel, unfiltered cask strength expression commemorating the distillery's inaugural bottling. Won 2023 World's Best Bourbon and Best Single Barrel Bourbon at San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
• Buckner's Single Barrel 15 Year Limited edition 15-year Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. Single barrel, unfiltered cask strength expression providing extraordinary pour with striking first impression and layered complexities. Follow-up to the inaugural 13-year offering.
• Buckner's Single Barrel 17 Year Limited release 17-year Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. Single barrel expression building on the quality of the 13-year predecessor, providing extraordinary pour with layered complexities and lingering finish.
• Buckner's Single Barrel 10 Year Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey aged 10 years. Single barrel, unfiltered cask strength expression completing the Buckner's ultra-premium lineup as the youngest offering, providing maturity not commonly found in younger distillations.
• Small Batch Bourbon Unfiltered cask strength Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey bringing together select barrels to create a bold, balanced expression. Bottled at cask strength and unfiltered for depth and character with consistent flavor profile.
• Wheated Single Barrel Bourbon Single barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon crafted with wheat instead of rye, offering a softer, more rounded expression. Held to same uncompromising standards of single barrel, cask strength, and unfiltered traditional bourbon.
• Old Route 8 Limited 8-year Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. Single barrel, unfiltered cask strength expression named after the historic route along the Ohio River. First offering in a line-up of 4 expressions, intended for everyday enjoyment.
• River Proof Barrel Experience One-of-a-kind Kentucky Bourbon Trail Experience. Interactive, educational, and entertaining tasting where guests pop a bung, thief a pour, and learn about Kentucky bourbon. Duration 60 min, priced at $29.
• Augusta Distillery Production Tour Behind-the-scenes tour of bourbon production process. Guests ascend to catwalk for sights and aromas of bourbon making, visit stillhouse, and learn about connection between bourbon-making and local Ohio River heritage. Priced at $29.
• Rolling on the River Cigar experience and tasting event featuring Steven and Anna Cummins, two generations of tobacco farmers from Augusta, KY. Guests learn to roll cigars while enjoying Kentucky bourbon. Duration 90 min, priced at $99.
• Private Barrel Selections Exclusive experience inviting up to 9 friends to sample and choose from approximately four barrels of Kentucky bourbons aged 8-15 years. Selected bourbon is bottled with custom side label. Duration 2 hr.
• Distiller for the Day Full-day experience working alongside production team, diving into mash preparation, fermentation, and sampling fresh distillate. Guests fill and sign a barrel to start maturation process. Duration 8 hr, priced at $999.99 per person (limit 4 people).
• Ultimate Bourbon Bucket List Four-day immersive journey participating in every stage of bourbon-making from mash preparation to barreling. Includes up to 6 guests, all meals, lodging, ownership of personal barrel, custom labeling, and 4 years aging. Priced at $35,000.

Quantifiable outcome

• 2023 World's Best Bourbon - San Francisco World Spirits Competition (Buckner's 13-year Single Barrel)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Kentucky Bourbon Trail (KBT)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial stop on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, a tour that takes visitors to Kentucky distilleries to learn about the history and craft of bourbon. Provides access to the bourbon tourism ecosystem and bourbon enthusiast community.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Wilderness Trail Distillery: Kentucky craft bourbon distillery producing small-batch and single-barrel expressions with a strong spirits-competition record. Comparable as a craft Kentucky producer competing in the same premium, award-validated category.
• Castle & Key Distillery: Kentucky bourbon distillery operating out of a restored historic site with an active tourism program. Comparable in craft-scale production, experiential hospitality focus, and tourism-anchored GTM on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail.
• Four Roses Distillery: Kentucky bourbon distillery with a portfolio of single-barrel and small-batch expressions and an official Kentucky Bourbon Tour stop. Comparable in production philosophy (distinct recipes/age statements), tourism-led GTM, and bourbon enthusiast collector audience.
• New Riff Distillery: Northern Kentucky craft distillery producing bourbon and rye with a visitor center/tasting room. Comparable as a craft Kentucky bourbon producer with a tourism component and similar retail/wholesale distribution strategy.
• Old Dominick Distillery: Memphis-based craft distillery producing bourbon and other spirits with a tasting room/tourism offering. Comparable as a craft premium spirits producer where Augusta Distillery's Master Distiller Alex Castle previously held the master distiller role.
• Buffalo Trace Distillery: Kentucky straight bourbon producer and fellow Kentucky Bourbon Trail stop. Comparable in that both produce premium aged single-barrel and small-batch bourbon, operate tourism/visitor programs, and distribute nationally, though at materially larger scale.
• Bardstown Bourbon Company: Modern Kentucky craft distillery producing premium bourbon and custom-collaboration single barrels, with a tasting/tourism experience. Directly comparable in craft-scale premium bourbon positioning, custom barrel programs, and DTC/tourism mix.

Broad incumbents

• Maker's Mark Distillery: Iconic Kentucky bourbon producer and Kentucky Bourbon Trail stop with a robust tourism/visitor experience. Comparable in bourbon production and tourism, but at much larger volume with a broader, lower-priced core range.
• Wild Turkey Distillery: Major Kentucky bourbon producer offering aged and single-barrel expressions with a visitor center on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. Comparable as a Kentucky straight bourbon producer, but operates at substantially larger scale across a broader brand portfolio.
• Woodford Reserve Distillery: Kentucky premium bourbon distillery with a tourism program and multiple age-stated/specialty expressions. Comparable in premium bourbon positioning, age-stated portfolio, and tourism-anchored GTM, though at significantly larger scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/AugustaDistKY
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@augustakydistillery
• Facebookfacebook.com/augustakydistillery
• Instagraminstagram.com/augustakydistillery
• Pinterestpinterest.com/augustakydistillery

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Augusta Distillery