OUR HISTORY
The Rebirth of Hayner
In 1866 Lewis Hayner founded the Hayner Distilling Co in Troy, Ohio. Over the next 50 years, Hayner Distilling grew to be one of the largest distilleries in Ohio and the largest mail order whiskey business in the United States. Known for their superior quality, Hayner Whiskey and Bourbon were the preferred drinks across the country.
In 1920 the National Prohibition Act was passed by the United States Congress. The production, sale and transport of alcohol became illegal in the United States. Like all large distilleries, Hayner Distilling closed their doors. The distillery was dismantled, the barrels axed open and all of the bottles destroyed.
Now, 100 years later, the Hayner Distilling Co. has been resurrected. From a few surviving bottles, Hayner Whiskey and Bourbon are born again.
Hayner Distilling 1920.
The Inspiration
Hayner Cultural Center
The road to relaunching Hayner Distilling began in 2018. After completing the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, founders Greg Taylor and Andrew Wannemacher revisited the Hayner Whiskey Museum at the Hayner Cultural Center in Troy, Ohio. The history and the amazing story of the Hayner Distilling Company inspired the journey to relaunch the iconic Hayner brand.
It took over two years to obtain all the permits and financing. A decision was made to partner with Bardstown Bourbon Company in Bardstown, Kentucky to create the first Hayner Whiskey blend in over 100 years.
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The Blend
Bardstown Bourbon Company
Hayner Bourbon is a four bourbon blend created in partnership with Bardstown Bourbon Company.
A sample was taken from a 110 year old bottle of Hayner Whiskey and analyzed by Bardstown. A 4 ounce sample was extracted by inserting a needle through the cork. The sample was taken to Bardstown to be analyzed. The result was a mash bill of approximately 70% corn, 20% rye and 10% barley. A common mash bill still used to this day.
Fortunately, the original whiskey was amazing. The bourbon had an amazing sweet taste with a smooth finish. After many experiments and tasting sessions, the new Hayner compliments the original with very similar tasting notes. The final blend contains 40% 13 year old Kentucky bourbon, blended with 4 year bourbons and a little 3 year to finish it off.
40% Kentucky 13 Year Bourbon
MASH BILL: Corn 74% / Rye 18% / Malted Barley 8%
25% Bardstown Bourbon Co. 4 Year Bourbon
MASH BILL: Corn 78% / Rye 10% / Malted Barley 12%
20% MGPI 4 Year Bourbon
MASH BILL: Corn 51% / Wheat 45% / Malted Barley 4%
15% Bardstown Bourbon Co. 3 Year Bourbon
MASH BILL: Corn 60% / Rye 40%
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The Next Chapter
Barrels in Waiting
After launching the Hayner Bourbon and Hayner Rye blends in 2021, Hayner returned to Bardstown Bourbon Company in 2022 and contracted with them to distill over 300 barrels of Hayner Bourbon. You can watch a short video of the barreling process below.
While these barrels age for 4-6 years, Hayner will continue to partner with Bardstown and MGP to source and offer our award winning whiskey blends.
