Grain & Barrel Spirits has debuted Chicken Cock Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey, which was distilled (95% rye and 5% malted barley), aged a minimum of two years and bottled at 90 proof in conjunction with the Collaborative Distilling Program at Bardstown Bourbon Company.
The resurrection of Chicken Cock in 2016, first with sourced MGP bourbon and now with a Kentucky home thanks to Bardstown Bourbon Co., comes with a unique historical narrative.
Wes Hardin elaborates at The ABV Network.
Like all but six distilleries, the Chicken Cock Distillery shut down during prohibition, but the brand did not. During prohibition, the production was moved to Canada and the Chicken Cock whiskey was smuggled across the border in tin cans that required a key to gain access. The smuggled whiskey became so popular that is was the house whiskey at the Cotton Club in Harlem. It was known as the “whiskey in a tin can”. Business was good for Chicken Cock during prohibition.
After prohibition, the original Chicken Cock Distillery in Paris was re-opened and production was started back up. The brand did not sell as well as pre-prohibition. The large distilleries that were allowed to operate to produce medicinal whiskey started gaining market share from distilleries that shut down during prohibition. In 1950, a fire at the distillery closed it forever and with it, the Chicken Cock brands.
Known as “The Famous Old Brand,” Chicken Cock’s heritage whiskies currently are available in 16 states, with nationwide distribution on the horizon.
