Amine Karaoud is no stranger to playing the long game.
Since moving to Louisville in 2003 from Tunisia, Amine has worked as a server, a corporate engineer, and now he’s the co-founder of his own whiskey brand whose key ingredient is time.
Named for the historic neighborhood, Old Louisville Whiskey Co. launched last week with the release of Batch #1 — an unfiltered, barrel-proof bourbon whiskey that’s aged for 7-10 years. It’s already in stores across the commonwealth.
He said he’s been sourcing barrels from distillers for the last five years preparing for the launch of his brand, which will feature a variety of aged mashbills — including a 16-year American whiskey. Each small batch release will have about 2,000 bottles.
“Right now we’re focused on creating a premium brand that delivers old whiskey,” Amine said.
Eventually, Amine said he’d like to branch into distilling, but in the meantime, he’s opened a tasting room and warehouse at 4427 Poplar Level Rd. — in the former Cumberland Brewery.
While he said the company is still getting its website going, you can reach Old Louisville Whiskey on Facebook or Instagram to arrange a tasting.
The label — which features a circa 1884 map of Old Louisville — was created by local designer Ashley Trommler. That red star you see? It marks the location of Red Castle Liquors on 1st and Oak Streets, a business Amine used to own that helped him finance Old Louisville Whiskey Co.
“We’re aiming to have a good product that pleases the most sophisticated palate,” Amine said.
