The Stitzel-Weller distillery has gained legendary status among bourbon connoisseurs for a number of reasons. First, it’s the distillery opened by Julian “Pappy” Van Winkle and run under his ownership for much of its history. When Pappy died his son Julian II took over, before it was sold and became just another corporate asset to be bought and sold numerous times.

Secondly, Stitzel-Weller exclusively produced a wheat-recipe bourbon that was developed by A. Ph. Stitzel, and consequently became the defining wheated bourbon thereafter. Maker’s Mark used a similar recipe and legend has it even borrowed yeast and distillery designs from Stitzel Weller when first starting. Today, the same style is carried on by Buffalo Trace and Heaven Hill for brands that were formerly produced at Stitzel Weller.

Third, most (but not all) of the whiskey that made the Pappy Van Winkle brand famous was distilled at Stitzel-Weller. Since Pappy Van Winkle led the most current bourbon craze, and the flavor profile has changed as of late, fans want to taste the old Stitzel Weller versions. Many Van Winkle fans have also embarked to find old bottles of Old Fitzgerald, Weller, and Rebel Yell so they can try some whiskey distilled when Pappy was running the business.