Bourbon, barrels and backstory: Dueling Grounds Distillery celebrates National Craft Distillery Day
FRANKLIN, Ky. – Thursday is National Craft Distillery Day, which is a time to celebrate the contributions small distilleries make for local communities.
And there is one distillery in south-cntral Kentucky that has been around for the past 11 years, which has constantly been growing – Dueling Grounds Distillery in Franklin.
“I realized that I could take something that I already kind of knew how to do with making beer and melded it with Kentucky history and a Kentucky product,” said Marc Dottore, Dueling Grounds Distillery owner. “The idea of making a physical product was important to me.”
Since 2014, the distillery has been crafting a variety of liquor, including its signature Linkumpinch Bourbon, which spends four years aging inside fire charred oak barrels, giving it that classic Kentucky taste.
“Our grains come from one family farm about ten minutes away from here called Walnut Grove Farm,” Dottore said. “We use a little higher percentage of malt in our bourbon than most folks do, which gives it a little bit more complexity. We also use a little lower char on our barrel, which gives it a unique flavor.”
Even though the distillery has been open since 2014, this area’s history dates back hundreds of years, where, just down the road, the land was a notorious dueling ground used to settle scores in the early 1800s.
“The location is important,” Dottore said. “So much about bourbon and whiskey is important. The story is important, and being here in Kentucky is a unique factor, and so we just want to celebrate that.”
Today, Dueling Grounds offers more than just liquor. Visitors can take guided tours and enjoy ‘Sip and Savor Sunday,’ which is a weekly event featuring seasonal cocktails and locally inspired food pairings.
“It’s just become a regular hangout for our locals,” Dottore said. “We get a lot of local folks who come in, and spend the afternoon with friends, talking and enjoying good food and good drinks.”
