A national travel outlet has put an Independence distillery on the map as one of America's must-visit small businesses.
The Points Guy, in partnership with Capital One Business, named Boone County Distilling Co. one of the top 10 small businesses in the United States "worth building your next trip around," according to an article published May 1 by writer Augusta Stone. The NKY Tribune reported on the recognition Tuesday, July 28.
The honor is national. The distillery sits at 10601 Toebben Drive, about a mile off I-75 and roughly 15 miles south of Cincinnati. Its proximity to CVG Airport in Hebron makes it a frequent first or last stop for air travelers exploring the Kentucky Bourbon Trail.
Co-owner Jack Wells called the recognition an honor in a statement carried by the NKY Tribune, noting the distillery's roots stretch to the 1830s and that the team is proud to share what he called an authentic Kentucky bourbon experience with visitors near and far.
Wells and co-owner Josh Quinn re-established the distillery in 2015, reviving a tradition that traces to the Petersburg Distillery of 1833. That original operation became the largest distillery in Kentucky by 1880 before closing in 1918, according to the distillery's Wikipedia entry.
The Points Guy highlighted the distillery's "Made by Ghosts" branding, a nod to those early Boone County distillers. The 5,000-square-foot facility on 2.5 acres houses a 500-gallon copper pot still nicknamed "The Bear," four fermenters, a small bottling line, and an on-site barrel warehouse, according to Distillery Trail.
Boone County Distilling is an official stop on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail® and Northern Kentucky's The B-Line®. Its bourbon ages more than five years using ingredients sourced from Kentucky and Indiana. The distillery's rye whiskey recipe comes from Larry Ebersold, a Louisville distiller inducted into the Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame in 2025 and known in the industry as the "Godfather of Rye Whiskey."
The distillery drew national attention before the Points Guy nod. In May 2023, Boone County Distilling announced a partnership with NBA player Stephen Curry to produce his "Gentlemen's Cut" Kentucky bourbon.
America 250 limited release
Visitors can purchase the America 250 Founder's Reserve and Single Barrel Founder's Reserve, a limited-edition release commemorating the nation's 250th anniversary. The product went live on the distillery's website June 9; check boonedistilling.com for current availability.
The distillery is open Tuesday through Sunday. It offers a Grain to Glass Experience, a roughly 45-minute guided tour with a 15-minute tasting, and a shorter Guided Tasting Flight. Walk-ins are welcome. Reservations are recommended.
