Dueling Grounds Distillery

Dueling Grounds Distillery - Franklin, Kentucky

Dueling History - Dueling Grounds Distillery

Tasting - Dueling Grounds Distillery

Cooker - Dueling Grounds Distillery

Fermenters - Dueling Grounds Distillery

Fermenter - Dueling Grounds Distillery

Still - Dueling Grounds Distillery

Still and Fermenters - Dueling Grounds Distillery

Cooker and Spirits Tank - Dueling Grounds Distillery

Bottling Line - Dueling Grounds Distillery

Gift Shop & Inside Seating Area - Dueling Grounds Distillery

Santos at the Bar - Dueling Grounds Distillery

Barrel Head - Dueling Grounds Distillery

208 Harding Rd

Franklin, KY 42134

270-776-9046

WHY DUELING GROUNDS?

Dueling Grounds Distillery is named after a former dueling ground around Franklin, KY. The dueling ground was on the Linkumpinch Farm, which is where Dueling Grounds Linkumpinch Bourbon gets its name. The farm had seen more than 40 duels by 1826, according to the

Dueling Grounds Distillery website.

JUST IN TIME

It was a little more difficult than it needed to be finding Dueling Grounds Distillery, thanks to the guidance of our GPS. In actuality, it should have been reasonably easy to locate. We pulled into the gravel parking lot, headed inside, and caught the next tour which started almost immediately. Perfect timing! Unlike most tours, this one started with a tasting because there was already a group touring the distillery area. This was certainly fine with us. The tasting included six of Dueling Grounds Distillery’s spirits (currently 4 spirits are included), including their Kentucky Straight Bourbon, which was first released in December 2018. They were on batch 2 of their bourbon when we visited back in 2019, with batch 3 soon to follow.

TIMES THEY ARE A CHANGING

However, quite a bit of time has passed since 2019 and Dueling Grounds Distillery now has more mature spirits. These include 4 yr old Linkumpinch Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon, 4 yr old Linkumpinch Single Barrel Bourbon and Barrel Aged American Dry Gin. In addition, there is a full bar at Dueling Grounds Distillery. They serve their own spirits, as well as a variety of other bourbons and cocktails. In fact, every Sunday from 2-6pm their mixologist creates 4 unique artisanal cocktails and one mocktail. There is comfortable seating both inside and out. Also, pizza from their pizza kitchen, as well as ice cream and mini chocolate bourbon pecan pies are available.

INSIDE THE DISTILLERY

After our tasting, it was time to visit the production side of the distillery. Like most craft distilleries, it is a relatively small operation, occupying one large “L” shaped area. There is signage on the walls over the equipment detailing the distilling process, for those interested in reading. This was not necessary, however, as our tour guide, Santos, provided a detailed narrative and answered all of our questions. (and we often have many) We first were shown the cooker, which supplied the mash to the 250 gallon fermenters. The bourbon is then double distilled; first 4 batches of low wine are collected and then distilled again to make the high wine / new make, which, for the bourbon, goes into char 3 barrels at 120 proof. They also have a 30 gallon gin still.

BARREL AGING TAKES PLACE OFF-SITE

No rickhouse to see here; barrel aging, which currently is 4 years for the Linkumpinch Kentucky Straight Bourbon, takes place off-site, elsewhere in Kentucky. The barrels are regularly checked for their progress and are ultimately brought back to Dueling Grounds Distillery for bottling. The “bottling line” (which is pretty much all done by hand) has a 4 bottle capacity bottle filler, and then labels are applied and corks inserted. Bottles can be purchased on-site in the gift shop and/or the bourbon can be enjoyed at the bar.

A FRIENDLY PLACE

Dueling Grounds Distillery is a friendly, comfortable place, and if we lived closer to Franklin, KY, I am sure we would be regular visitors, particularly to the Sunday cocktail event. We look forward to future releases from this distillery!

Please note that due to COVID Distillery Hours and Tour/Tasting Availability may vary. Please contact the distillery or check their web page or social media for details before you go.

Days of operation	Monday - Saturday 10AM - 6PM Sundays 2PM-6PM (for cocktails and pizza only)
Paved Drive / Lot	No
Motorcycle Parking	No
Motorcycle unfriendly features	Gravel parking lot, but it is fairly easy to park near the street
Number of tours per day	Tours start at the top of each hour Monday - Saturday First: 11AM Last: 4PM
Length of Tour(s)	40 minutes
Advanced topic tours?	Yes
Advanced topic tour names	Sandford Duncan Inn Museum Tour & Tasting (By appointment only)
Tours by owners /distillers available?	Yes
Number of different types of tours	2 (Distillery and Sanford Duncan Inn)
On-Line Tour Reservations Available	Yes
Advanced Reservations Recommended/Required	Recommended (Required for Sanford Duncan Inn)
Cost for Tour	Distillery: $15 with Tasting Sanford Duncan Inn: $10
Tasting Included?	Yes
Number of samples included in tasting	Distillery: 4 + palate cleanser: dried fruit/nuts, pretzels, mini Linkumpinch bourbon truffle or gardettos) Sanford Duncan Inn: Linkumpinch Bourbon
Tasting Only Option?	No
Tasting Only Option Cost	N/A
High-end tasting option?	No
High-end tasting option cost?	N/A
Designated Driver Option	No
Handicapped Accessible?	Gravel parking area may provide difficult navigation. Otherwise, the gift shop and distillery area should be accessible
Souvenirs included with tour?	No
Gift shop	Yes
On-Site bottle sales?	Yes
On-site food: Restaurant/Cafe/Snacks	All Times: Ice cream & mini chocolate bourbon pecan pies Friday, Saturday & Sunday only: Pizza Kitchen
On-site Cocktail bar	Yes
On-site event space	Yes
Should I visit? (Yes, Perhaps, No)	Yes
Unique Features	Craft distillery that makes bourbon, White Dog, Apple Pie White Dog, and Fruit Liqueurs, and occasionally gin. Inside and outside seating areas, with a cocktail program on Sundays and a bar with numerous bourbons available by the pour.
Website	https://www.duelinggroundsdistillery.com
Date Visited	May 2019 (updated July 2019, Dec 2022, Apr 2023)

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