The Kentucky Distillers’ Association (KDA) announced Paducah’s Purple Toad Winery & Distillery as its newest member, further strengthening the KDA in uniting global brands and emerging craft distilleries to promote and protect Kentucky’s iconic spirits industry.

Located at 4275 Old US Hwy 45 South in Paducah, the distillery currently produces Kentucky Straight Bourbon and a variety of whiskeys, along with vodka and agave spirits, utilizing innovative techniques that repurpose winemaking byproducts to reduce waste. 

As an extension of the original family-owned and operated Purple Toad Winery & Distillery, the 2,500-square-foot distilling operation began in 2024, following McCracken County’s approval of liquor sales in the 2023 general elections. 

“Our membership in the Kentucky Distillers’ Association represents a fresh start for us because we are both Paducah’s initial winery-turned-distillery and makers who redefine the possibilities of spirits,” Steven Dossey, General Manager and Winemaker of Purple Toad Winery & Distillery, said in a news release. “Our winemaking experience drives us to create bold spirits through byproduct reuse, profile experimentation, and unconventional approaches. Our spirits reflect the same unapologetic character as our wines because we choose to build upon tradition, rather than follow it.”

KDA President Eric Gregory said that Purple Toad Winery & Distillery’s entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to sustainable practices make them a valuable addition to the KDA family of Kentucky’s finest distillers. 

“Their presence in Paducah enhances Western Kentucky as a destination for craft spirits and tourism, and we’re excited to support their journey in elevating Kentucky’s distilled spirits legacy,” Gregory said.

As Purple Toad Winery & Distillery joins the KDA, this reflects the continued expansion of Kentucky’s spirits industry, a $9 billion economic engine that generates more than 23,000 jobs while attracting millions of visitors annually through the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. 

McCracken and the surrounding counties that make up the Western Kentucky region are home to 18 distilleries, responsible for 1,264 jobs and a $262 million economic impact for the region. 

Learn more about Purple Toad Winery & Distillery at www.purpletoadwinery.com.

Purple Toad Winery & Distillery joins KDA as a “Craft” level member, aging less than 10,000 barrels per year. Visit the KDA and its Kentucky Bourbon Trail adventure at www.kybourbon.com and www.kybourbontrail.com.

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