Boone County Distilling Company sits in Independence, Kentucky, just south of Cincinnati, founded in 2015 by Josh Quinn, a former Marine and bourbon enthusiast who wanted to bring distilling back to Northern Kentucky. The operation started in a 10,000-square-foot facility on Toebben Drive, with Quinn initially focusing on contract distilling while building his own brand portfolio. The distillery takes its name from the historic Boone County region, honoring the area’s pre-Prohibition distilling heritage when Northern Kentucky was home to dozens of bourbon producers before most disappeared during the temperance movement. Quinn’s journey into distilling wasn’t typical – he spent years in the military before transitioning into the spirits business, initially working with established distillers to learn the craft. He partnered with experienced industry professionals to develop recipes and refine production techniques, focusing on both bourbon and rye whiskey production. The company operates with a 500-gallon copper pot still and column setup, allowing them to produce both whiskey and clear spirits while maintaining the flexibility to experiment with different mash bills and aging techniques. The distillery experience centers around their tasting room and production facility tours, where visitors can see the grain-to-glass process and sample their growing portfolio of aged spirits. Quinn and his team emphasize education during visits, explaining how Northern Kentucky’s climate and water sources contribute to their whiskey’s character. The atmosphere feels more like a working distillery than a polished tourist attraction, with the sounds and smells of active production creating an authentic backdrop for tastings.