Route 52 Distillery sits along Cow Creek Road in Ravenna, Kentucky, deep in the heart of Appalachian moonshine country. Founded by local entrepreneur Jim Cornett, this small-batch operation opened its doors in 2018 with a mission to honor the region’s rich moonshine heritage while crafting legal, premium spirits. The distillery operates out of a converted warehouse facility that Cornett renovated specifically for spirits production, complete with custom copper stills and traditional fermentation tanks. They specialize in moonshine, bourbon, and flavored spirits that pay homage to generations of mountain distilling knowledge passed down through Kentucky families. Cornett’s journey into legal distilling came after years of researching his family’s connection to the area’s bootlegging history and a desire to preserve those traditional methods in a legitimate business. He partnered with local farmers to source corn and other grains, emphasizing the connection between the land and the spirits they produce. The operation remains intentionally small-scale, allowing for hands-on attention to each batch and maintaining the artisanal approach that defines mountain distilling culture. Visitors to Route 52 get an authentic taste of Kentucky mountain spirits without the legal risks their predecessors faced. The facility offers an intimate look at small-batch production methods, and Cornett himself often leads tours when he’s on-site. The tasting room showcases their range of clear and aged spirits, many of which follow recipes and techniques that have been refined over generations in these Kentucky hills.