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Nelson County · Kentucky · 1855

Henry McKenna's Fairfield sour mash

Irish immigrant Henry McKenna of County Derry settled at Fairfield in Nelson County, began distilling in a mill shed by 1855 (under a barrel a day), and built a brick distillery by 1883.

He sold only "H. McKenna Old Line" sour mash—never green whisky under three years—and stamped barrels with an Irish harp. The brand survived Prohibition as medicinal whisky; Heaven Hill later revived it.

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Published . Last revised .

Chicago

Snowden, Shannon. "Henry McKenna's Fairfield sour mash." Kentucky History Drive. Published September 21, 2026. Last revised September 21, 2026. https://kyhistorydrive.com/stories/henry-mckennas-fairfield-sour-mash/.

MLA

Snowden, Shannon. "Henry McKenna's Fairfield sour mash." Kentucky History Drive, published 21 Sept. 2026, last revised 21 Sept. 2026, https://kyhistorydrive.com/stories/henry-mckennas-fairfield-sour-mash/.

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