The Belle of Louisville – the world’s oldest operating Mississippi River-style steamboat, and Brough Brothers Distillery – Kentucky’s first African American-owned distillery, launched two new bourbon expressions. 

Named Captain’s Cut and Cask Strength, a portion of proceeds from each bottle will support the preservation and continued operation of the nationally registered landmark Belle of Louisville.

The partnership formed following Brough Brothers’ multi-year sponsorship of the Kentucky Derby Festival Great Steamboat Race and took shape as Brough Brothers prepares to open a new distillery and visitor experience on River Road near the Belle’s wharf and Waterfront Park this September.

“The Belle has told Louisville’s story on the river for decades, and Brough Brothers will soon share its chapter of that story from the same river’s edge from its new distillery,” Barbara Sexton Smith, interim CEO of Belle of Louisville Riverboats, said in a news release. “What a fortuitous partnership that also will make this bourbon a very special bottling to savor.”

This September, Brough Brothers will open its newest distilling location and visitor experience at 1250 River Road, at Waterfront Park. The 15,000-square-foot facility will expand production and bottling capacity and provide a tasting room and event spaces. The brand’s original distillery opened in Louisville’s Park Hill neighborhood in 2021.

“Sponsoring the Great Steamboat Race introduced us to the Belle, and opening our doors on Waterfront Park made us family,” Victor Yarbrough, CEO of Brough Brothers Distillery, said. “This bourbon is a tribute to two Louisville originals and the river that connects them.”

The new bourbons will debut at a bottle signing and distillery sneak peek this Saturday, August 29 from noon until 2 p.m., at the Brough Brothers’ Waterfront location, 1250 River Road. Belle of Louisville Captain Nick Lukaszewski and Yarbrough will be on hand to sign a limited number of bottles available for purchase. Bourbon fans can also expect more information soon about special opportunities aboard Belle cruises where the new bourbons will be showcased. Additional bottles will roll out to select retailers following the launch event.

For more information on the launch event and purchasing the commemorative bourbon benefiting the historic Belle of Louisville, visit broughbrothers.com.  

Bourbon details:

Brough Brothers – Belle of Louisville Captain’s Cut

• Proof: 96 (48% ABV)
• Price:  $79.00 for 750 ml

Brough Brothers – Belle of Louisville Cask Strength

• Proof: 118 (59% ABV)
• Price: $89.00 for 750 ml

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About the Belle of Louisville Riverboats

Belle of Louisville Riverboats, located at Louisville’s wharf at 4th and River Road, provides community access to the river and to Louisville’s history by delivering meaningful and engaging experiences on the water unlike any other. Passengers are encouraged to explore history, the arts and cultural heritage in a way that represents diverse stories and honest experiences. For more information, visit Belle of Louisville | Ohio River Steamboat Cruises.

About Brough Brothers Distillery

Brough Brothers was founded by the Yarbrough brothers, Louisville natives. What began in the United Kingdom in 2012 as a bourbon import and export business grew into a mission to make quality bourbon in an industry that had long remained out of reach for minority entrepreneurs. In 2021, the brothers opened Brough Brothers in Louisville’s Park Hill neighborhood as Kentucky’s first African American-owned distillery, and the first such operation to join the Kentucky Distillers’ Association in its history. For more information, visit Brough Brothers Distillery | Kentucky Bourbon, Louisville KY.