Founded by brothers Victor, Bryson, and Christian Yarbrough, Brough Brothers Distillery emerged as a historic landmark in the American spirits industry, widely recognized as Kentucky’s first Black-owned distillery. Located in Louisville, Kentucky, the distillery not only produces a range of spirits but also serves as a catalyst for economic development in the city’s historically underserved West End neighborhood.
The journey of Brough Brothers began with the brothers’ vision to create a legacy within an industry that has historically been inaccessible to minority entrepreneurs. Prior to establishing the distillery, Victor Yarbrough founded Victory Global, an import/export company, in the United Kingdom in 2012. This venture initially focused on exporting English cider to the U.S. and importing American craft beers, spirits, and moonshine to the UK. Bryson Yarbrough joined the company in 2013, followed by Christian Yarbrough in 2019, at which point the focus shifted towards vertically integrating and creating their own bourbon brand.
Establishing a Kentucky Legacy
The Yarbrough brothers, all natives of Louisville’s West End, chose their hometown as the base for their distilling operations, driven by a desire to contribute to the local economy and create opportunities within their community. The Federal Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) approved Brough Brothers Distillery in August 2018, and it received recognition from the Kentucky Senate as the state’s first African American-owned distillery in August 2020. The distillery officially opened its doors in December 2020, marking a significant moment in the state’s distilling history.
On December 31, 2020, Brough Brothers Distillery achieved another milestone by mashing, fermenting, and distilling its first legal batch of bourbon, which was then laid into American oak barrels for aging. This step solidified its position as the first African American-owned distillery in Kentucky to produce its own spirits from scratch.
In April 2021, Brough Brothers made history again by becoming the 42nd member—and the first African American-owned and operated distillery—to join the Kentucky Distillers' Association (KDA) since its founding in 1880. This membership underscored the distillery’s commitment to quality and its integration into Kentucky’s storied bourbon industry.
Products and Expansion
Brough Brothers Distillery initially launched with a sourced bourbon, which became available overseas in 2019 and stateside in February 2020. This bourbon, crafted from a mash bill of 75% corn, 21% rye, and 4% malted barley, is characterized by tasting notes of green apple, pear, and warm spices, with an aroma of red roses and nutmeg. The bottle design itself pays homage to Kentucky’s vibrant culture, featuring imagery related to bourbon, basketball, boxing, and horse racing.
Beyond bourbon, Brough Brothers also produces an unaged rum and has plans to introduce gin and vodka. The distillery operates a 2,200-square-foot facility on Dixie Highway in Louisville’s Park Hill neighborhood, initially producing about one barrel of whiskey per week, with projections to increase production.
As of late 2022, Brough Brothers announced plans for a second location on River Road near Waterfront Park in Louisville. This expansion aims to enhance the consumer experience with a tasting room, bar, and outdoor event space, and will also facilitate the production of vodka and gin.
Community Impact and Vision
From its inception, Brough Brothers Distillery has emphasized its commitment to community development. By situating its operations in Louisville’s West End, the Yarbrough brothers sought to bring economic opportunities and job creation to a historically underserved area. Their vision extends beyond spirits production, aiming to foster a positive and lasting impact on the local community, symbolizing resilience and the reclamation of space in an industry where Black contributions have often been overlooked.