Kentucky Senator Bourbon Co-Founder Damon Thayer
Inducted Into Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame

Industry Honor Highlights Award-Winning Brand’s Ongoing Momentum and Expansion

GEORGETOWN, KY — The Kentucky Distillers’ Association has named Damon Thayer, co-founder of Kentucky Senator Bourbon and a longtime legislative advocate for the industry, among the five distinguished inductees into the 2025 Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame. Thayer, a former Senate Majority Leader and one of the most influential champions of Bourbon modernization laws, will be formally honored this September during Bourbon Heritage Month at the Legacy at Log Still in Nelson County.

The Hall of Fame, established in 2001, is considered the highest honor in the Bourbon industry, reserved for those who have made transformational contributions to Kentucky Bourbon’s stature, growth, and global reputation. Thayer joins an elite class that includes Chris Morris, Craig Beam, Larry Ebersold, and the late trailblazer Mary Dowling.

“It’s incredibly exciting to be recognized by an industry I’ve spent so many years supporting,” said Thayer. “From passing laws that opened the door for Bourbon tourism and economic growth, to launching Kentucky Senator Bourbon with my business partner Andre Regard, my goal has always been to protect and promote our Kentucky spirit.”

Thayer’s induction comes at a time of notable momentum for Kentucky Senator Bourbon, the award-winning small-batch brand he co-founded in 2018. The brand recently earned a Double Gold Medal at the 2025 San Francisco World Spirits Competition for its John Brown Release and was named a finalist for Best Aged Small Batch Bourbon, with the winner to be announced at the Top Shelf Gala in November. Kentucky Senator Bourbon has also launched Louisiana Senator Bourbon, with the inaugural Huey P. Long Release set to hit shelves July 3.

With each bottle named for a U.S. Senator and crafted with historic reverence, Kentucky Senator Bourbon blends tradition with high-end taste. Its growing list of accolades continues to position the brand as a standout in the premium Bourbon category.

To hear directly from Damon Thayer about this honor, tune into the Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame livestream, sponsored by Kroger Wine & Spirits, airing September 16. The event will feature interviews with this year’s inductees and commentary from leading voices in the Bourbon world.

“We’re proud to have Damon receive the recognition he deserves,” said co-founder Andre Regard. “His leadership has not only shaped Kentucky Bourbon law but helped build a brand that’s winning awards, expanding into new states, and standing shoulder to shoulder with industry giants.”

For more information about Kentucky Senator Bourbon, or to explore their current releases, visit www.kysenatorbourbon.com.

About Kentucky Senator Bourbon
Kentucky Senator Bourbon is an award-winning small-batch Bourbon brand committed to crafting exceptional spirits with a side of American history. Each limited-edition release is named after a real U.S. Senator and represents a blend of tradition, character and U.S. heritage; it is distilled and aged in Kentucky for about six years (the same length as a U.S. senate term).

Founded by Andre Regard and Damon Thayer, Kentucky Senator Bourbon revives a historic brand once produced by Crigler & Crigler in Covington and later Double Springs Distillers in Bardstown. The brand launched its first revival release in 2021 and has since become known for producing richly aged, 107-proof Bourbon expressions that connect past and present.

Awards & Recognition

• Kentucky Senator Bourbon’s inaugural release, the Alben W. Barkley Release, was highlighted in Forbes’ Online Magazine: Read More!
• Fred Minnick, a noted Bourbon author, ranked Kentucky Senator Bourbon in his Top 100 Whiskeys of 2021 and 2022: 2021 Rankings | 2022 Rankings | 2023 Rankings
• Kentucky Senator Bourbon won Gold ASCOT Awards for taste and a Double Platinum ASCOT Award for marketing and brand design: Read More!
• Kentucky Senator Bourbon recently won its first Double Gold medal from the San Francisco World Spirits Competition for its 2024 John Brown release. Read More!

For media inquiries or additional information, please contact Damon Thayer at damon@kysenatorbourbon.com.