Chicken Cock Whiskey has a rich history dating back to 1856, when James A. Miller established a distillery in Paris, Kentucky. Throughout the years, the brand faced numerous challenges such as changes in ownership, a distillery fire, and even the era of prohibition. Unfortunately, the brand gradually faded into obscurity and was eventually lost in the 1950s.
In 2011, Grain & Barrel Spirits, a company known for its various spirits brands including Dixie Vodka and High Goal Gin, acquired the Chicken Cock Whiskey brand. The first revived Chicken Cock Whiskey was introduced to the market in 2012, but it was initially flavored whiskey distilled outside of Kentucky, lacking the original quality and Kentucky heritage of the brand.
Gregg Snyder, a 46-year veteran in the whiskey industry, played a crucial role in bringing Chicken Cock Whiskey back to its former glory. Snyder believed that the distillation process had to return to Kentucky and be completely controlled by the company to honor the brand’s history. He oversees every aspect of the production process at Bardstown Bourbon Company, ensuring the quality and authenticity of the whiskey.
From barley to bourbon, Snyder meticulously supervises the brewing, fermentation, and distillation process. He carefully monitors time, temperature, enzymes, and yeast to create a high-quality product. Snyder goes as far as handpicking oak logs from Appalachia for the barrels in which Chicken Cock Whiskey is aged. He believes that oak from this region adds unique flavors due to the tight grain caused by the rough terrain where the trees grow.
When Grain & Barrel acquired Chicken Cock, no original recipes were found. Snyder took it upon himself to create a high-rye bourbon reflective of the brand’s historical era. The core brand of Chicken Cock Whiskey consists of a grain bill of 70% corn, 21% rye, and 9% malted barley. The whiskey is aged in barrels made from air-dried staves cut from the oak logs selected by Snyder, ensuring complete control over the aging process.
In addition to the core lineup of Kentucky straight bourbon, Kentucky straight rye, small batch bourbon, and double-oak whiskey, Snyder produces limited-time offerings to cater to whiskey enthusiasts seeking something new. Despite the variety, Snyder ensures that only the highest quality whiskey is produced under the Chicken Cock brand. A local whiskey bar, popular among whiskey tourists, conducts blind tastings with Chicken Cock against other top brands, with customers selecting Chicken Cock as the best whiskey 80% of the time.
Gregg Snyder’s dedication to reviving Chicken Cock Whiskey and his commitment to quality have truly paid off. Through meticulous attention to detail and a deep respect for the brand’s heritage, Snyder has successfully brought Chicken Cock back to its roots as a high-quality, award-winning whiskey that enthusiasts around the world can appreciate.