About
Old SteelHouse Distillery is a revived bourbon destination rooted in the historic T.W. Samuels Distillery property in Coxs Creek, Kentucky, about 10 miles from Bardstown. Set on 45 acres in the heart of bourbon country, the site is being restored as both a working distillery and a heritage-rich visitor experience, with buildings from the 1930s, museum-style history, bourbon storytelling, and a growing modern whiskey program. While the historic Coxs Creek distillery property remains under restoration, Old SteelHouse also operates a downtown Bardstown tasting room at 124 N. 3rd Street, giving visitors a more immediate way to taste the brand, learn the restoration story, and connect with the legacy behind the bottles. The overall experience feels especially intriguing for travelers who enjoy bourbon history, old distillery grounds, and comeback stories, because Old SteelHouse is not simply building something new, it is bringing a long-dormant Kentucky whiskey site back into the conversation.
History
Old SteelHouse Distillery’s story reaches back to 1844, when Taylor William Samuels transformed his father’s farm distillery into the family’s first commercial operation in Deatsville, known as T.W. Samuels and Son Distillery. The distillery survived leadership changes, a major 1909 fire, Prohibition, and a post-Prohibition rebuild, becoming part of Nelson County’s deep whiskey-making landscape. After Prohibition ended, production returned to Deatsville in 1934, and the site operated for decades under different ownership before whiskey production eventually ceased during the later 20th century. In 1988, the T.W. Samuels Distillery District was recognized on the National Register of Historic Places, preserving the property’s significance even as the buildings sat largely quiet.
Notoriety
Old SteelHouse Distillery is notable because it connects directly to one of Kentucky bourbon’s most historically important family lines and distillery sites. The T.W. Samuels name predates Maker’s Mark and is tied to the same broader Samuels family whiskey legacy, giving Old SteelHouse a powerful heritage story for visitors who like understanding the roots beneath today’s famous brands. The site’s 45-acre restoration, 1930s-era buildings, preserved artifacts, and recovered blueprints give it a layered, almost archaeological quality that sets it apart from polished new-build distillery campuses. The brand is also gaining recognition through its Blueprint releases, which turn the restoration story into something visitors can taste.
experiences
Cocktail Classes
Duration:
N/A
Price:
N/A
At this time, the distillery does not offer any cocktail classes.
Tours & Tastings
Duration:
N/A
Price:
N/A
At this time, the distillery does not offer any tours or tastings.
amenities
Not Applicable
nearby
Distilleries
Four Roses Warehouse & Bottling Facility
James B. Beam Distilling Co.
Heaven Hill Bourbon Experience
Things To Do
Bernheim Forest and Arboretum
My Old Kentucky Home State Park
Oscar Getz Museum of Whiskey History
Food & Drink
The Old Talbott Tavern
Mammy’s Kitchen & Bar
Scout & Scholar Brewing Co.
Stay
Bourbon Manor Bed & Breakfast
Jailer’s Inn Bed & Breakfast
The Trail Hotel