Balance Distilling Company sits on a 15-acre farm in Smiths Grove, Kentucky, about 30 minutes north of Bowling Green. Founded in 2017 by husband-and-wife team Chad and Shannon McKenzie, this craft distillery emerged from Chad’s background in engineering and Shannon’s business acumen, combined with a shared passion for creating authentic Kentucky spirits. The couple converted a former tobacco farm into their distilling operation, complete with a modern production facility and tasting room that maintains the rural charm of its agricultural roots. They focus on small-batch bourbon, rye whiskey, and seasonal spirits using traditional Kentucky methods with modern precision. The McKenzies built Balance around the philosophy that great whiskey requires patience, quality ingredients, and respect for the craft—values reflected in everything from their grain sourcing to their aging process. The distillery name reflects their approach to balancing traditional techniques with innovative ideas, family life with business demands, and respect for Kentucky’s whiskey heritage with their own creative vision. What started as weekend experiments in their garage has evolved into a legitimate craft distillery that’s gaining recognition among Kentucky bourbon enthusiasts. You’ll find them actively involved in every aspect of production, from mashing and distilling to greeting visitors in the tasting room, making this a genuinely personal experience rather than a corporate tour.