E.J. Curley & Co., founded in 1867 by entrepreneur E.J. Curley along Kentucky’s Palisades, was a pioneering force in bourbon history. Curley coined the term “Bluegrass” and launched iconic brands like Blue Grass Bourbon, Boone’s Knoll Bourbon, and Curley Rye. His business acumen was evident in a record-setting sale of 8,600 barrels to a Chicago buyer, equivalent to $19 million today . In 1902, he consolidated much of Kentucky’s bourbon production under the Distillers Securities Corporation in New York. After decades of dormancy, the brand was revived in the 2020s at its original Jessamine County site. The new distillery offers small-batch and single-barrel bourbons, with plans for a 22,500-square-foot facility and visitor experiences . Master Blender Ashley Barnes, formerly of Buffalo Trace and Four Roses, oversees production, honoring Curley’s legacy with handcrafted expressions.