Casey Jones Distillery Celebrates 12 Years of Kentucky Distilling Tradition
Hopkinsville, KY November 4, 2026 — Casey Jones Distillery celebrates 12 year milestone offering unique blend of estate distilled spirits from oldest and newest casks.
It all started in a garage.
What began as a hobby inspired by a grandfather's copper still eventually became Casey Jones Distillery, which celebrated its 12th anniversary on November 1, 2026.
Founded by Arlon “AJ” Casey Jones and his wife, Peg Hays, the Hopkinsville distillery has grown from humble beginnings into a destination for visitors, bourbon enthusiasts, and families discovering the traditions of Kentucky distilling.
“It was only supposed to be a hobby,” AJ said. “Peg and I never dreamed where it would take us. Twelve years later, some hobby!”
A Family Tradition That Started Long Before 2014
The story of Casey Jones Distillery reaches back generations to AJ's grandfather, Casey Jones, a legendary builder of copper square pot stills.
When AJ and Peg opened Casey Jones Distillery on November 1, 2014, they weren't simply starting a business. They were bringing a piece of family history back to life.
The distillery's first production equipment included a 120-gallon copper square pot still AJ built using his grandfather's design.
Over the next 12 years, what began as a hobby operation continued to grow through building expansions, new equipment, additional production capabilities, and an expanding visitor experience.
Twelve Years of Milestones
Casey Jones Distillery joined the Kentucky Distillers' Association in 2014 and became part of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour in 2016.
In 2017, the distillery welcomed thousands of visitors during the Great American Eclipse. Its Total Eclipse Moonshine and eclipse celebration became one of the most memorable events in the distillery's history, drawing visitors from across the country.
In 2018, Casey Jones Distillery joined MB Roland Distillery in Pembroke, Kentucky, and Old Glory Distilling Co. in Clarksville, Tennessee, to launch the State Line Whiskey Trail, bringing together three distilleries across two states.
When the pandemic challenges of 2020 threatened the future of many small businesses, Casey Jones Distillery adapted by producing hand sanitizer and developing new ways to reach customers.
In 2022, Cody Turner joined Casey Jones Distillery as a partner, bringing new ideas and contributing to the distillery's continued growth, expansion, and modernization.
The years that followed brought continued growth, including expanded bourbon production, new stills, additional facilities, award recognition, and experiences such as the popular Bottle-Your-Own program.
Four Stills. Four Spirits. One Tradition.
To commemorate its 12th anniversary, Casey Jones Distillery is preparing a special limited-edition spirit release representing different chapters of its distilling history.
The commemorative four-spirit blend honors four stills that tell the story of the family's past, present, and future:
Casey's Original Still (1967): The original still built by AJ's grandfather, representing the roots of the family's distilling heritage.
AJ's Copper Square Pot Still: Handmade by AJ using his grandfather's design, connecting the original craftsmanship to the distillery's beginnings.
The “Workhorse”: A 1,000-gallon hybrid still representing the growth of the distillery into larger-scale whiskey and bourbon production.
The “Grandfather”: A copper square pot still honoring the family design that started it all, bringing traditional craftsmanship into a new generation of production.
What makes this anniversary release especially meaningful is the blend itself. It combines whiskey from some of the oldest barrels in the distillery with the very first spirits produced on its two newest stills, the “Work Horse” and the “Grandfather.”
Rather than representing a single barrel, a single still, or a single year, the release brings together the history of the distillery in one commemorative bottle.
The limited-edition anniversary spirit is scheduled for release during Bourbon Harvest, Thanksgiving weekend, November 27 & 28, 2026, at Casey Jones Distillery in Hopkinsville.
Celebrating the People Behind the Journey
For AJ, Peg, and Cody, the 12th anniversary is about more than buildings, equipment, and barrels. It is a celebration of the people, friendships, and experiences that have shaped Casey Jones Distillery since its beginning.
“When we look back, it's not just the whiskey we remember,” AJ said. “It's the people we've met, the friendships we've made, and everyone who has helped us along the way. Our employees, our community, our fellow distilleries, and the thousands of visitors who have supported us have all been part of this journey.”
And AJ still has one question for anyone with a dream of their own:
“It all started in my garage. What's in your garage?”
About Casey Jones Distillery
Founded in 2014 by Arlon “AJ” Casey Jones, grandson of legendary Kentucky stillmaker Casey Jones, and his wife Peg Hays, Casey Jones Distillery carries forward a family legacy of craftsmanship, ingenuity, and bold spirit. In 2022, the distillery welcomed partner Cody Turner, bringing renewed energy to its mission. Based in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, the distillery produces award-winning bourbon and moonshine using time-honored methods and a one-of-a-kind square pot still. From bootlegging roots to bottling excellence, Casey Jones Distillery stands as a leader in small-batch, handcrafted Kentucky spirits.