Whiskey Thief Distilling Co. sits just outside Frankfort on Crab Orchard Road, where founders Chris and Melissa Zaborowski turned their passion for craft spirits into Kentucky’s newest bourbon venture. The husband-and-wife team opened their doors in 2019 after Chris left his career in engineering and Melissa stepped away from marketing to chase their shared dream of making small-batch whiskey. Their 5,000-square-foot facility houses custom copper stills and a tasting room that feels more like a friend’s living room than a corporate experience. The Zaborowskis didn’t take the typical path into distilling. Chris spent years homebrewing and studying fermentation science while working his day job, and Melissa handled the business side while they saved up to make the leap. They chose Frankfort specifically to be close to Kentucky’s bourbon heritage while carving out their own identity. The operation runs lean with just the two of them and a small crew, which means when you visit, you’re likely talking directly to the people who made your whiskey. What you’ll find here isn’t the polished tour experience of the big distilleries, and that’s exactly the point. You can watch the actual production process, ask questions about their specific mash bills, and taste spirits that are still finding their voice. The atmosphere is relaxed and educational, perfect for folks who want to understand how whiskey actually gets made rather than just hear the marketing version.