Bourbon Heritage Month

September just might be our favorite month of the year. We’re preparing for the Kentucky Bourbon Festival, celebrating our Bourbon family heritage, and we release our Limited Edition Small Batch at this time each year. To get into the spirit, we’ll start by diving into the story of our Founder Paul Jones, Jr.

Born in 1840 in Lynchburg, Virginia, into the affluent Jones family, who’s ancestry can be traced back to the 17th century, Paul Jones, Jr. grew up deep in Southern hospitality. At the end of the Civil War he and his father relocated their family and businesses to Atlanta. In 1884, Paul Jones, Jr. moved his thriving business to Louisville, Kentucky, where he opened an office in a section of historic Main Street called “Whiskey Row.” Four years later, he trademarked the name Four Roses, claiming production and sales back to the 1860s.

During this time, the building at 136 East Main Street, on Louisville, Kentucky’s historic Whiskey Row, was home to Four Roses and The Paul Jones Company. In 1922, the Paul Jones Company was purchased by the Frankfort Distilling Company. The company originally used the facility as a gathering and distribution center. And, although there is no indication of any dedicated office space in the structure, it is believed that Paul Jones conducted all of his business in this location from the time he arrived in Louisville in 1884 until his death in 1895.

Legend has it the name “Four Roses” comes from his love for a Southern belle. It is said that he sent a proposal to her, and she replied that if her answer were “Yes,” she would wear a corsage of roses on her gown to the upcoming grand ball. Paul Jones waited for her answer excitedly on that night of the grand ball. When she arrived in her beautiful gown, she wore a corsage of four red roses. He later named his Bourbon “Four Roses” as a symbol of his devout passion for the lovely belle, a passion he thereafter transferred to making his beloved Four Roses Bourbon.

We encourage you to raise and glass and help us celebrate Bourbon Heritage month by sharing these ‘Bourbon basics’ and facts about Four Roses and our storied-history.