Peerless Has Arrived at Bin 110
The Kentucky Peerless Distilling Co. — Louisville, October 2022.
"Some bottles you chase. Some bottles you wait for. Peerless Toasted Bourbon and Peerless Toasted Rye? Both hold true. I've been looking to bring these to Bin 110 for quite some time — and that moment is now."
If you've spent any time at the bar talking whiskey with me, you've probably heard me mention Peerless. They're one of those distilleries I've had my eye on for a long time — and back in October of 2022, I had the chance to walk through their doors in Louisville, Kentucky and see the whole operation firsthand. That visit stuck with me. When "The Bourbon Colonel" (@bourbon_colonel86), Mr. John Waddell, leads you through the operation — armed with a cordless drill and countless barrels to tap into — it can't help but stick with you.
When the opportunity came to bring two of their Toasted Series expressions onto our shelf here in Cornelius, it wasn't a hard decision. I'm excited to share them with you.
A Legacy That Almost Disappeared
The Peerless story starts in 1889, when Henry Kraver purchased a small distillery in Henderson, Kentucky and built it into one of the largest operations in the state — producing up to 200 barrels a day at its peak. During Prohibition, when most distilleries went dark entirely, Peerless whiskey was one of the select few authorized to continue production for medicinal use. That's how good their reputation was.
Then, in 1917, wartime grain restrictions forced them to shut down. And for nearly a hundred years, the name disappeared.
That's where Corky Taylor comes in. A retired financial services executive who decided retirement wasn't for him — a decision I can respect — Corky and his son Carson, a fifth-generation descendant of the original family, rebuilt Peerless from the ground up in Louisville, officially reviving the brand in 2014. They even secured the original distillery license number, DSP-KY-50, tying the modern operation directly back to its 19th-century roots.
This isn't a tribute brand. It's not a nostalgia play. It's a genuine continuation of something that almost got lost to history — and they've done it the right way.
What Makes Peerless Different
When I walked through that distillery in 2022, a few things stood out immediately. Peerless uses a sweet mash process — less common than the sour mash most Kentucky distilleries run — which gives their whiskey a noticeably different character from the start. Everything is distilled in-house, never sourced. Every bottle is barrel proof, meaning you're getting the whiskey exactly as it came out of the barrel, no dilution. This is an aspect of Peerless that the company hangs their hat on. Their lower barrel entry proof of 107 lands most of their barrels firmly in the 105–115 proof range — without any water added.
And they waited. When they relaunched in 2014, they didn't rush product to market. They let their barrels age properly, which meant their first bourbon release came more than a hundred years after the last one. In today's bourbon industry, that kind of patience is rare — and it shows in the glass.
The full Peerless lineup during my distillery visit — their distinctive decanter-style bottles are as beautiful as what's inside.
What Just Landed at Bin 110
We're bringing in two expressions from Peerless's Toasted Series — their Toasted Bourbon and their Toasted Rye. Both start with Peerless's already exceptional base whiskies. The Rye is aged for an undisclosed period in a Level 3 char barrel — until the whiskey reaches the desired flavor profile, however long that takes. The Bourbon ages for five years in a Level 3 char barrel as well. Both whiskies then spend additional time in a toasted oak barrel. The result is a deeper, richer, more layered profile than their standard releases. If you haven't tried a toasted-finish whiskey before, this is a great introduction to why the extra step matters.
Peerless Toasted Bourbon
5 years in a Level 3 char barrel, finished in toasted oak. Barrel proof, no dilution. Full character, exactly as it came from the barrel.
Peerless Toasted Rye
Aged to the desired flavor profile in a Level 3 char barrel, then finished in toasted oak. Barrel proof. Bold, layered, and worth every sip.
As for tasting notes — I don't give them. Everyone's palate is different, and we'll all pick up different flavors and aromas. I don't want to suggest what you might taste before you've had the chance to find it yourself. What I will tell you is this: both are layered whiskies, and they reward your attention.
A big thank you to @bourbon_colonel86 — John Waddell, "The Bourbon Colonel" — for leading us through the Peerless operation on our 2022 visit. That cordless drill and those barrel samples made for one unforgettable afternoon.
"One of the most memorable distillery visits I've had. Walking those floors in 2022 is a big part of why these bottles belong on our shelf today."
— Andy Upchurch, Bin 110
A pour at the Peerless tasting room in Louisville — the kind of moment that reminds you why this stuff matters.
How to Try Them at Bin 110
Both expressions are available now by the glass. Here's how I'd suggest experiencing them:
- Neat. Start here if you want to taste what makes these bottles special — let the whiskey speak for itself first.
- On a single crystal clear ice sphere. Some folks just like their whiskey with a little chill and a little dilution. Our ice spheres fit the bill perfectly. Don't let anyone shame you for your ice — just know that cold blunts flavor a bit, so you may not catch everything you'd experience neat.
- Side by side. No matter which of the above you choose, side-by-side is a no-brainer. Order one of each and compare the bourbon against the rye. Same distillery, same Toasted Series treatment, completely different personalities. It's a fascinating comparison.
Come Try Peerless at Bin 110
Both bottles are on the shelf now at Bin 110 in Cornelius, NC — Lake Norman's premier whiskey bar. Come in any Tuesday through Sunday and let's talk Peerless.
View Our Full Whiskey List Planning something special? See our upcoming tastings & events →Come for a drink. Stay for the experience. Welcome to Bin 110.