About
Boone County Distilling Company is a Northern Kentucky craft distillery in Independence that invites visitors to experience a close-up, small-batch side of the state’s spirits scene. The distillery’s visitor experience is built around seeing how whiskey is made and finished in a working facility, then taking what you learned straight into a guided tasting. With a focus on handcrafted bourbon and rye, plus a welcoming bar area where guests can sample the lineup, Boone County Distilling fits nicely into a Kentucky trip that mixes big-name bourbon culture with lesser-known stops that feel personal, approachable, and easy to explore. It is also a convenient add-on for travelers based around the Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky area who want a distillery visit without a long drive into the heart of the state.
History
The brand leans into a deep Boone County distilling legacy with the message “Born in 1833, Reborn in 2015,” connecting today’s operation to a much older tradition of spirit-making in the region. Boone County had a strong historical relationship with whiskey production in the 1800s, and like many distilleries of that era, those earlier operations were eventually disrupted by changing laws and the long shadow of Prohibition. The modern Boone County Distilling Company was revived in 2015 as a new, working distillery that honors that heritage while operating with today’s craftsmanship standards, modern equipment, and visitor-forward design. For guests, that history is not treated like a museum placard, it is part of the story you hear as you move through the facility, from grain handling and fermentation to distillation and aging, with the aim of showing how the distillery is building a present-day identity while still respecting what came before.
Notoriety
Boone County Distilling Company is best known for its “Made By Ghosts” identity and its visitor experience that emphasizes a true behind-the-scenes look at production. Rather than limiting guests to a small showroom, the distillery highlights how bourbon and rye come together in a functioning space, with tours that explain the steps from grain preparation to distillation and then into the aging process. For travelers, that grain-to-glass focus is a big part of the appeal because it feels educational without becoming overly technical, and it gives first-time visitors a clear picture of how Kentucky whiskey is made. The distillery is also recognized as a stop associated with Northern Kentucky’s bourbon tourism scene, making it a natural pairing with other nearby distilleries and bourbon bars across the riverfront communities. Add in a shorter guided tasting option for people who are tight on time, and Boone County Distilling has built a reputation as a flexible, easy-to-schedule stop that still delivers a full Kentucky distillery feel.
