The University of Kentucky’s initiative to highlight the advantages of local sourcing and sustainable production in the spirits industry has established a strong foundation with the announcement of the founding members of the Estate Whiskey Alliance™ (EWA) organization.

The EWA global consortium will support research and education in agriculture, manufacturing and sustainability to shape the future of estate whiskey production.

Estate whiskey refers to a type of whiskey that is produced entirely on the distillery estate using grains sourced from the estate and local to that site. 

UK and UK Innovate — UK’s innovation, entrepreneurship and economic enterprise for University of Kentucky Research — established the EWA organization in 2023 with the support of Seth DeBolt, director of the UK James B. Beam Institute for Kentucky Spirits. 

There are seven EWA founding members that have been fundamental in creating this alliance:

• Black Fox Farm and Distillery

• Heaven Hill Distillery

• Hillrock Estate Distillery

• Maker’s Mark

• Peterson Farms

• Thousand Acres Distilling Company

• Western Kentucky Distilling Company

“The EWA is an exciting opportunity to connect integral partnerships found among our founding members with research, education and innovative economic development,” said Landon Borders, EWA director. “Building upon Kentucky’s rich history and expertise in the spirits industries, we’re able to forge connections that resonate far beyond our borders, uniting current and future alliance members in shared growth and impact.”

The founding members shared their thoughts on the importance of this alliance and what it means for the future of whiskey.

“We believe deeply in the collaborative work UK is leading, and Maker’s Mark is proud to be part of it. The Estate Whiskey Alliance creates an opportunity to share what our team has learned on our regenerative farming journey, learn from others and scale impact, to ultimately build a more sustainable future for our industry, our people and planet,” said Rob Samuels, an eighth-generation distiller and managing director of Maker’s Mark.

“From partnerships with local farmers that have spanned generations to our commitment to transparency and sustainability, Heaven Hill has a vested interest in the impact of seed and soil in the whiskey-making process,” said Susan Wahl, vice president of American whiskey at Heaven Hill. “As a founding member of the Estate Whiskey Alliance, we look forward to supporting its education and collaboration initiatives to further sustainable farming practices and transparency in the industry.  We hope that the work done here will highlight the importance of terroir in the whiskey-making process, while encouraging a positive economic and environmental impact in the localities that take advantage of the certification program and education provided.”

“For decades, the estate designation in wine has symbolized a commitment to quality and authenticity. By extending this designation to whiskey, we can now convey the passion, sustainability, and meticulous care that goes into every bottle, to assure consumers of the exceptional craftsmanship and integrity inherent in every sip,” said Barb Stefanyshyn-Cote, co-founder of Black Fox Farm and Distillery.

“Western Kentucky Distilling Company is proud to be a founding member of the Estate Whiskey Alliance. Our commitment to producing the finest Kentucky whiskey begins with the finest ingredients — including 100% locally sourced corn and limestone-filtered water from our on-site wells. This partnership with the alliance not only reflects our dedication to high-quality, sustainable practices but also provides an exciting opportunity to work with other leading members to support a more sustainable future for the industry,” said J.D. Edwards, co-founder of Western Kentucky Distilling Co. 

“Handcrafting award-winning whiskies from estate-grown grain since 2011, Hillrock Estate Distillery is excited to be a part of the University of Kentucky’s Estate Whiskey Alliance. Hillrock is committed to making whiskies that reflect the unique local terroir of our farm in the Hudson Valley, and we believe that the Alliance will play a critical role in advancing this important movement in the whiskey industry,” said Jeffrey Baker, CEO of Hillrock Estate Distillery in Ancram, New York.

The EWA organization is open to all varieties of members including whiskey producers, farmers, suppliers, academic institutions and other related organizations.

The alliance will provide a first-of-its-kind licensing program in 2025 to authenticate Estate Whiskey Certified™ products with a consumer-recognizable mark.

Estate Whiskey Certified™ products will have each of the following characteristics:

• Production processes including milling, cooking, fermentation, distillation, barreling, aging and bottling occur on the estate distillery.

• At least 2/3 of all mash bill grains are grown on estate-owned or controlled land.

Only the specific whiskey products proved to meet sourcing and production requirements can display the prestigious Estate Whiskey Certified™ logo on their qualifying bottles.

You can find more information about the alliance on their website: estatewhiskey.org.