Actual KO Distilling distillery or maturation warehouse

KO Distilling: History, Whisky Range and Visitor Guide

Oct 23

3 min read

Updated: Oct 27

KO Distilling was founded by US Merchant Marine Academy alumni Bill Karlson and John O'Mara in Manassas. The KO name comes from the surnames Karlson and O'Mara, and the business was established in 2015.

The distillery built a range of Bare Knuckle bourbons, rye and wheat whiskies and Battle Standard gin, later expanding into Distiller's Reserve Bottled-in-Bond expressions.

In this guide

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KO Distilling at a glance

Quick fact	Details
Location	10381 Central Park Drive, Suite 105, Manassas, Virginia
Country	USA
Region	Virginia
Founded	Founded 2015
People	Co-founders Bill Karlson and John O'Mara
Featured whisky	KO Bare Knuckle and Distiller's Reserve whisky range

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Distillery history and ownership

The distillery built a range of Bare Knuckle bourbons, rye and wheat whiskies and Battle Standard gin, later expanding into Distiller's Reserve Bottled-in-Bond expressions.

People and business ownership

Co-founders Bill Karlson and John O'Mara. Ownership may have changed from the founder and should be checked with the most recent company information.

Whisky production and maturation

KO distils with local Virginia grains, including high-rye and wheated bourbon mashes. Its Bare Knuckle wheat whiskey uses 60% wheat, 30% rye and 10% malted barley, while one small-batch rye uses 100% locally grown rye.

Some higher-aged High Rye Bourbon releases originate from Indiana according to Virginia trade information, so not every bottle under the KO brand should be described as distilled in Manassas.

Whisky bottle range

Bare Knuckle Straight Bourbon

Virginia straight bourbon in multiple aged and strength bottlings.

Bare Knuckle Straight Rye

100% rye American whiskey, with 90 proof and cask strength versions.

Bare Knuckle American Wheat

60% wheat mash whiskey at 45% ABV.

Distiller's Reserve Bottled-in-Bond

Bottled-in-bond rye and bourbon at 50% ABV under the US category standard.

Authentic KO Bare Knuckle and Distiller's Reserve whisky range bottle from KO Distilling

This is a real whisky bottle or, for Braunstein, the genuine whisky range pictured inside the distillery. The image is not a generic glass.

Awards and notable milestones

KO has received US spirits awards for specific Bare Knuckle and Distiller's Reserve bottles. The range should be judged by precise mash bill, origin and bottling strength.

Visiting KO Distilling

The Manassas tasting room is open Thursday through Sunday, with tours, cocktails, tastings and shop purchases. Check the official website for the exact current schedule.

Visitor openings, booking and pricing may change. Check the official operator before travelling.

Frequently asked questions

Where is the distillery?

10381 Central Park Drive, Suite 105, Manassas, Virginia

When was the business established?

Founded 2015

Who owns or runs it?

Co-founders Bill Karlson and John O'Mara

What whisky does it make?

Bare Knuckle Straight Bourbon, Bare Knuckle Straight Rye, Bare Knuckle American Wheat, Distiller's Reserve Bottled-in-Bond. Release details vary.

Can you visit?

The Manassas tasting room is open Thursday through Sunday, with tours, cocktails, tastings and shop purchases. Check the official website for the exact current schedule.