Crafted for Adventure, Fueling Stories Shared Around the Fire.
Distribution Updates - Michigan
•
Distribution Updates - Michigan •
Our Legacy - Rooted in Heritage
Model 1866 Distillery comes as an homage to both Ugly Dog Distillery’s past and future. Founded in 2009, Ugly Dog Distillery was built by people who love the outdoors, bird hunters who understood patience, preparation, and respect for tradition. From the beginning and to this day the distillery’s identity has been shaped by early mornings in the field and the stillhouse, loyal bird dogs at our heels, and the discipline that hunting and proper distilling demands.
Since 1866, Winchester Ammunition has stood for reliability, craftsmanship, and American ingenuity in the field. For generations, Winchester has been trusted by sports men and women who demand equipment that performs when it matters most.
To honor that shared heritage, Ugly Dog Distillery has created Model 1866 Distillery, a name that nods to Winchester’s founding year and the era of American innovation it represents. This endeavor reflects respect for legacy, craftsmanship, and the pursuit of excellence, and we have made it our mission to echo those ideals in the creation of our bourbons.
Winchester Kentucky Straight Bourbon is the result of that alignment; carefully crafted Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey designed to honor both names. It reflects the same principles that define great hunts and great spirits alike.
Made for Adventure,
the Fire and the Finish.
To be poured at camp, shared after the hunt, or savored by those who appreciate tradition carried forward rather than reinvented.
Our Craft
Each batch begins with thoughtfully distilled Kentucky bourbon, selected for structure, balance, and maturity before entering its final phase under our care. From there, the whiskey is slowly proofed in controlled stages, allowing the spirit to rest so flavors integrate naturally and seamlessly. This deliberate approach preserves texture, aromatics, and the depth developed in the barrel.
The time honored craft of blending is guided by our master distiller, with hand-picked barrels combined to achieve a consistent profile that remains true from batch to batch. For our Double Oaked expression, the bourbon is then returned to new, charred American oak, where additional time and wood contact deepen richness, amplify toasted sugars, and build a longer, more layered finish. Every step is measured, repeated, and refined—ensuring each bottle delivers the same balance, warmth, and drinkability that define Winchester Kentucky Straight Bourbon.
The Grain
Our corn, rye, and barley are grown in Western Kentucky and Wyoming, in the same fields you’ll find deer signs, birds flushing, and land that’s been worked with care for generations.
“Great bourbon starts the same place as a great hunt does, in the field.” - CEO, David Salmon
Corn
Barley
Rye
The Water
Kentucky’s limestone rich water is one of the quiet but defining foundations of great bourbon. The water is naturally filtered as it flows through the ancient rock beneath the hills and hollers of Kentucky – removing minerals like iron, and enriching the water with calcium, creating ideal conditions for fermentation and consistent flavor development. Not often celebrated, Kentucky’s unique resource is a gift that generations of distillers have relied on, shaping the bourbon long before a single barrel is filled.
The Still
Copper column distillation is about accuracy and control. Like Winchester’s approach to ammunition, it’s all about consistency, precision, and performance.