Stitzel-Weller Distillery: Pappy Van Winkle's Louisville Bourbon Landmark
Updated: 3 days ago
Stitzel-Weller Distillery is a former distillery in Shively, a suburb of Louisville, Kentucky. It was founded in 1935, sold in 1972 and closed in 1992.
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Stitzel-Weller at a glance
Distillery fact | Verified detail |
|---|---|
Distillery / brand | Stitzel-Weller |
Country and region | Kentucky, United States |
Ownership / operator | Historic distillery; site operated within Diageo's portfolio |
History | The Stitzel-Weller Distilling Company was formed in 1935 by combining the distributor W. L. Weller and Sons with the A. Ph. Stitzel Distillery. The distillery was built after the… |
Whisky identity | Historic bourbon production ended in 1992; current brands must not be described as produced at this closed stillhouse. |
Visiting | Check the producer's latest official tour and opening information before travelling. |
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History
The Stitzel-Weller Distilling Company was formed in 1935 by combining the distributor W. L. Weller and Sons with the A. Ph. Stitzel Distillery. The distillery was built after the repeal of Prohibition by Julian "Pappy" Van Winkle Sr., with Alex T. Farnsley and Arthur Phillip Stitzel, and opened on Derby Day in 1935. It became known as the Old Fitzgerald Distillery after its main bourbon brand. The 53 acre site was chosen to sit outside the city limits, which avoided city taxes, and for the quality of its water. A sign outside read "no chemists allowed", reflecting a belief that distilling is an art, not a science.
Farnsley died in 1941 and Stitzel in 1947. Van Winkle died in 1965 and his son Julian Van Winkle Jr. took over. The site was sold to Norton-Simon on 30 June 1972, on condition that Julian Van Winkle Jr. could keep access to old stocks and the Van Winkle name. It later passed through Guinness and United Distillers, and it closed in 1992. Diageo, successor to United Distillers, reopened the site in 2014 with a reported 10 to 18 million dollar investment.
Historic Stitzel-Weller distillery photograph
A genuine photograph of the Stitzel-Weller Distillery in Louisville, Kentucky, taken in July 2017.
Brands and people
The distillery produced W. L. Weller, Old Fitzgerald, Pappy Van Winkle, Rebel Yell and Cabin Still. After the 1972 sale, Rebel Yell went to the David Sherman Corporation, W. L. Weller to the Ancient Age distillery (now Buffalo Trace) and Old Fitzgerald to Heaven Hill. Stitzel-Weller, along with Maker's Mark, was influential in championing wheated bourbon, where wheat replaces rye. It also often aged its spirit for ten years or more.
Will McGill was the first master distiller. He was followed by Andrew J. Corcoran, Roy Hawes and Woodrow Wilson. At opening the site held 25,200 barrels in two warehouses. By 2001 it had 18 warehouses with room for 300,000 barrels.
Today
Since 16 September 2014 the site has been a visitor attraction for Bulleit Bourbon, the Bulleit Frontier Whiskey Experience, on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. As of 2017 it was used mostly for ageing, with one still making about a barrel a day for experiments.
Pappy Van Winkle and the 1935 opening
A WHAS11 report says Stitzel-Weller, in Shively, Louisville, opened on the day of the 61st Kentucky Derby in 1935. Julian Van Winkle Sr., known as Pappy, built the distillery and ran it until the year before he died in 1965.
Career: he began in 1893 as a bourbon salesman with the W.L. Weller Company on Louisville's Whiskey Row
Brand: the distillery produced Old Fitzgerald under Van Winkle
Pappy label: his grandson Julian Van Winkle III released the first bottle named Pappy in December 1994
Headquarters: the original Stitzel Distilling Company headquarters at the end of Story Avenue in Butchertown still stands, according to the report
What makes Stitzel-Weller distinctive?
Historic bourbon production ended in 1992; current brands must not be described as produced at this closed stillhouse.
Stitzel-Weller whisky bottles and expression comparison
Bottle / expression | Age | ABV | Cask maturation / notes |
|---|---|---|---|
Old Fitzgerald (historic Stitzel-Weller era) | NAS / varies | Check label | Historic bourbon production ended in 1992; current brands must not be described as produced at this closed stillhouse. |
W. L. Weller (historic association) | NAS / varies | Check label | Historic bourbon production ended in 1992; current brands must not be described as produced at this closed stillhouse. |
This table describes documented expressions. It does not guarantee current stock, age statements or strengths. Check producer labels for details.
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Frequently asked questions about Stitzel-Weller
Where is Stitzel-Weller based?
Kentucky, United States.
Who operates Stitzel-Weller?
Historic distillery; site operated within Diageo's portfolio.
What distinguishes Stitzel-Weller?
Historic bourbon production ended in 1992; current brands must not be described as produced at this closed stillhouse.
Which bottlings are documented?
Old Fitzgerald (historic Stitzel-Weller era), W. L. Weller (historic association). Some editions may be historical.
Can you visit Stitzel-Weller?
Please check whether tours are currently operating and book through the producer before travelling.
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Sources, image credits and official links
Sources: Wikipedia, Stitzel-Weller Distillery article (en.wikipedia.org), read on 20 October 2026.
Further source read on 21 October 2026: WHAS11 report on Pappy Van Winkle and Stitzel-Weller (21 November 2014).
Original research and historical notes have been retained. Visitor details, owners and bottle ranges may change.
Photo: Historic Stitzel-Weller distillery photograph. Photographer: Timothyjosephwood; CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons. Reproduced without further alterations.
About the author
 | Filip Janczak Storyteller, drinker and explorer of all things whisky. Read more about the person behind Whisky Clan and explore additional reviews and distillery guides. |
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