Our Heritage

A Story Written in Oak & Copper

The historic Old SteelHouse Distillery is situated on 45 acres in Nelson County, Kentucky, the heart of Bourbon Country, less than 10 miles from Bardstown, the Bourbon Capital of the World.

In 1844, Taylor William Samuels took his father's farm distillery and built it into the family's first commercial distilling operation in Deatsville, Nelson County, Kentucky called T.W. Samuels and Son Distillery. He ran the distillery with his son William Issac Samuels until 1898, when both T.W. and W.I. passed away within a few months of each other.

Leslie B. Samuels, W.I.'s son and T.W.'s grandson, assumed control as General Manager. The property was designated a National Historic Site in 1988. After extensive discussion, Dr. Schulthise started the property to a new group in 2019, marking the birth of Old SteelHouse Distillery. The COVID-19 pandemic slowed progress, but the team uncovered historical treasures: a preserved chemistry lab, papers, tax stamps, labels, and hundreds of blueprints from the post-Prohibition rebuild. These inspired a restoration plan and the distillery's first product, Blueprint Whiskey.

Our Timeline

The Arc of a Legend

The Beginning

1844

T.W. Samuels Opens First Commercial Distillery

Taylor William Samuels, using knowledge passed down from his grandfather, opens the family's first commercial distillery in Deatsville, Kentucky, alongside his son William Issac Samuels.

The Beginning

1844

T.W. Samuels Opens First Commercial Distillery

Taylor William Samuels, using knowledge passed down from his grandfather, opens the family's first commercial distillery in Deatsville, Kentucky, alongside his son William Issac Samuels.

Transition of Power

1898

The Next Generation

T.W. Samuels and his son W.I. Samuels both pass away. Leslie B. Samuels, son of W.I. and grandson of T.W., takes over operation of the family distillery.

Devastation & Rebirth

1909

Fire and Reconstruction

A devastating fire destroys most of the original building, including the rickhouses. Leslie rebuilds bigger and better than ever, demonstrating the family's resilience and commitment.

Prohibition Era

1920

Forced Closure

Prohibition begins. Whiskey production ceases and the distillery is dismantled. The Samuels legacy enters a period of dormancy.

Post-Prohibition Revival

1933-1934

Leslie's Vision Returns

As Prohibition ends, Leslie restructures the company and builds a brand-new distillery about a mile from the original site, along the L&N Railroad. Whiskey production returns to Deatsville in April 1934, making it the third distillery in Nelson County to restart post-Prohibition.

The War Years

1942

WWII and New Ownership

Bill Samuels Sr., who took over operations in 1936 after his father Leslie's death, sells the distillery and its brands to Foster Trading Corporation at the start of World War II. The distillery expands significantly to produce fuel alcohol for the war effort.

Mid-Century Operations

1952

Sam Westerman Takes Control

Sam Westerman, known as 'Uncle Sam,' purchases his partners out of Foster Trading Corporation and moves from Detroit to run the distillery, renaming it Country Distillers. The T.W. Samuels brand continues production.

Division & Sale

Late 1970s - 1980

The Property Divided

Declining whiskey popularity leads Westerman to divide and sell the property. Local farmer John Mayer purchases 1,000 acres of farmland around Maker's Mark. Two rickhouses go to Heaven Hill, which becomes the famous Deatsville Site for aging. Production ceases.

The Water Years

1982-1988

Dr. Schulthise's Vision

Dr. Arthur Schulthise purchases the remaining property, including the original spring. The WWII pilot and entrepreneur builds a successful bottled water business - Samuels Springs Water Company - and constructs a grass airstrip.

Historic Recognition

1988

National Historic Register

Dr. Schulthise successfully nominates the T.W. Samuels Distillery District for the National Historic Register of Places, preserving its legacy for future generations.

The Passing

2019

A Blessing for the Future

The Doctor gives his blessing to a new group of entrepreneurs who want to bring life back to this historic property. Shortly after his death, COVID-19 hits the US, but the vision remains.

The Revival Begins

2021

Old SteelHouse Distillery is Born

Under the stewardship of OSD Spirits, the historic property begins its transformation into a premier bourbon destination, honoring its 180-year legacy.

First Release

2022

Blueprint Whiskey Launches

OSD proudly introduces their first release, Blueprint Whiskey, in September 2022 - a tribute to the historical blueprints discovered on the property.

Pilot Distillery Construction

2023

Building for the Future

Construction begins on the Pilot Distillery, setting the foundation for on-site whiskey production to return to the property.

Historic Milestone

2024

First Barrel Dump in 50 Years

In September 2024, the first barrel dump and bottling occurs on site since the 1970's - over 50 years in the making. DSP KY-20155 is awarded to Old SteelHouse.

New Chapter

2025

Downtown Tasting Room Opens

Batch 002 released in January. The downtown Bardstown Tasting Room opens in Summer 2025, bringing the Old SteelHouse experience to the Bourbon Capital of the World.

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Our Promise

Craftsmanship Without Compromise

The restoration of the Old SteelHouse Distillery is more than a construction project — it's a covenant with history. We are committed to preserving the authentic character of this historic property while building a world-class destination for bourbon enthusiasts.

From the limestone-filtered water to the hand-selected oak barrels, every element of our process honors the traditions that made Kentucky bourbon legendary. We don't cut corners. We don't rush. We let the spirit reveal itself in its own time.

Our vision extends beyond the bottle. We're creating a total experience — a place where visitors can walk the same grounds, breathe the same air, and feel the same connection to the land that inspired generations of master distillers.

See the Restoration