A Visit to Old Commonwealth’s New Site – Lawrenceburg, KY
A restored historic distillery reviving long-lost Kentucky whiskey brands with uncommon care.
On a cold, icy Kentucky morning, I made the drive to Old Commonwealth’s new site, tucked into the rolling backroads of Anderson County. The winding, hilly approach eventually opened into a clearing where the distillery appeared—an old building reborn in matte black, stamped with a gold “OC” logo. Just beyond it flowed Hammonds Creek, the long-ago lifeblood of this historic site.
- Distillery: Old Commonwealth
- Location: Lawrenceburg, KY
- Founded: 2019
- Known for: Revived Historic Brands
- Visit Type: Hosted by Co-Owner/Founder Andrew English
I was joined by my friend Ryan, and together we met co-owner Andrew English, who braved the weather to walk us through the property and pour a selection of Old Commonwealth’s current releases. Seated at a simple folding table in the bottling room, Andrew traced the origins of the company, the building, and the historic brands they’ve painstakingly restored.
The History of the Distillery Site
Much of this history is explored in greater depth on the Old Commonwealth website. What follows are the most salient moments that shaped this remarkable property.
The story begins in 1889, when businessman S. O. Hackley recognized the site’s potential for small-scale distilling. Just four years later, Hackley partnered with the Hoffman family, rebranding the operation multiple times until it officially became the Hoffman Distilling Company in 1894. During this era, the distillery produced notable brands such as Old Hoffman and Old Spring.
After two decades, the distillery filed for bankruptcy in 1916 and shut down. As the temperance movement gained momentum, much of the Hoffman distillery was eventually torn down.
“We revive old brands as premium whiskey so you can drink history.” – Old Commonwealth Website
With the repeal of Prohibition in 1933, the site saw new life. In 1934, brothers Robert and Ezra Ripy purchased the property and rebuilt it entirely—distillery, rickhouse, and bottling facilities—once again under the Hoffman Distilling Company name. According to Old Commonwealth, the Ripys were true “bourbon barons,” with family ties to other legendary brands, including Wild Turkey. Over the next fifteen years, they guided the distillery through a significant boom period.
By the late 1950s, American whiskey sales were declining—except for Jack Daniel’s, whose celebrity‑driven popularity led to shortages. Seeing an opportunity, Frank Silverman sourced whiskey from Hoffman and bottled it in a strikingly familiar square bottle under the name Ezra Brooks. Brown‑Forman sued, and famously lost.
In 1968, the distillery was officially renamed the Ezra Brooks Distillery. The revival was short‑lived. As whiskey once again fell out of favor, Ezra Brooks was acquired by the Charles Medley Distillery, and the site was shuttered by 1979.
Then came perhaps the most storied chapter. Julian Van Winkle III, carrying a substantial inventory of his grandfather Pappy Van Winkle’s barrels, purchased the dilapidated Hoffman distillery. Renamed Commonwealth Distillery, it served as the bottling home for Van Winkle whiskey for nearly two decades.
In 2002, Julian struck a deal with Buffalo Trace to distill and bottle his products, and Commonwealth Distillery closed for the third time in a century. Local sign maker Lou DeFino purchased the property as a workshop, and it remained that way until 2019.
That year, Andrew English and Zachary Joseph acquired the site with a clear vision: restore the distillery to its former glory while cataloging and reviving the historic brands once produced there—faithfully, and with respect for their legacy.
Their first modern releases arrived in 2024: Old Commonwealth 10 Year and Kentucky Nectar. The reception was immediate and enthusiastic.
The Bottles
Old Commonwealth 10 Year
The inaugural release from Old Commonwealth—and the bottle that put them squarely on the modern whiskey map. Collectors flocked to it for its historically faithful label, green cognac‑style glass, and, most importantly, the quality of the whiskey inside.
For me, this bottle exemplifies mature Kentucky bourbon at its best. It delivers everything you want from a 10‑year expression: depth, balance, and richness, with a surprising sweetness despite its higher proof and departure from the historic wheated mashbill.
Kentucky Nectar
The second Old Commonwealth release is defined by its expertly executed honey finish. While the brand revival remains largely faithful to its roots, English and Joseph took thoughtful liberties for modern drinkers—most notably the heavy metal topper and the addition of finishing.
What stood out most was tasting multiple single barrels side by side. These barrels are named for their bottling season (for example, Fall 2025 or Spring 2025), meaning the whiskey spent its final aging period in the preceding season. Both were excellent, but I found myself drawn to Batch 3, Spring 2025, which showcased a deeper, darker sweetness from winter aging. The Fall 2025 barrel leaned brighter, with more floral and fruit‑forward notes.
D.H. Cromwell 15 Year
Named after D. H. “Dirty Helen” Cromwell—one of the most infamous women in spirits history—this brand was originally released by Gordon Jackson using Van Winkle stock. Old Commonwealth revived it at a higher proof (106) and finished it with a double‑oak process to evoke the “dusty” character of the original releases.
This whiskey didn’t surprise me so much as it impressed me. It captures deep, seasoned oak alongside slightly funky red fruit notes, channeling the character of old Kentucky whiskey without feeling overworked.
Colonel Randolph 16 Year
Revived with the guidance of original bottler Gordon Hue, Colonel Randolph was historically A. H. Hirsch distillate bottled at 116 proof and aimed at the Japanese whiskey market—without diminishing the prestige of existing Hirsch releases. Old Commonwealth’s version comes in at 106 proof.
Hue himself summarizes it best:
“This whiskey has it all: sweet notes, caramel up front, toffee in the middle, and tremendous length without being overly sweet. The finish goes on for minutes. This is damn good stuff.”1
The Future
As memorable as the whiskey was, the most exciting part of the visit was seeing what lies ahead for Old Commonwealth.
We ended the day walking through the historic building itself. Temporary wooden panels currently cover a twenty‑foot drop into the basement, where Andrew recalled discovering eerie old decanters—some broken, others still full—when they first acquired the property.
Blueprints and hand‑drawn sketches rested atop whiskey barrels, outlining the distillery’s next chapter: a tasting room, gift shop, single‑barrel selections, private tasting rooms, and museum‑style exhibits chronicling every era of the site’s history.
The original rickhouse foundation was deemed unsuitable for modern use, so the plan is to transform that space into an outdoor garden where visitors can enjoy their pours in the open air.
One future space stood out above the rest. It doesn’t look like much yet, but with significant renovation, it will become Old Commonwealth’s exclusive speakeasy—a fitting nod to the property’s layered past.
Ryan and I left deeply grateful for Andrew’s time and generosity. His command of both the whiskey and the site’s history is evident, and it’s clear that Old Commonwealth is driven by more than hype. In an era when many NDP brands revive old labels for exclusivity alone, Andrew English and Zachary Joseph have approached Old Commonwealth with genuine reverence—honoring history while reintroducing these brands to modern whiskey lovers.
I can’t wait to return when the doors officially open.
This visit was hosted by the distillery. All thoughts are my own and not influenced by the experience.
What a beautiful article! Thank you so much for the thoughtfulness and your time. Can’t wait to have you back for the grand opening. If you need anything – you have my number. Look forward to some fun time ahead!
Thank you again for arranging this visit and being the force behind the scenes keeping it all running smoothly. Really appreciate your accommodations and I definitely will be back for the grand opening. Same goes to you, just text me for absolutely anything you need.