MB Roland Craft Distillery in Kentucky Scheduled for December Auction

Industry Pulse News Desk · 2026-10-24

The pioneering Kentucky craft bourbon producer will be sold at auction as its founders prepare for retirement after 18 years in operation.

PEMBROKE, Ky. — MB Roland Distillery, one of Kentucky's early craft bourbon producers, will be put up for auction in December, marking the end of nearly two decades of independent ownership. The sale encompasses the company's production facilities, real estate, brand assets, and existing barrel inventory.

The decision to auction the operation comes as founders Paul and Merry Beth Tomaszewski prepare to retire. The couple established the distillery 18 years ago on a former dairy farm in Christian County, becoming key figures in the state's modern craft spirits movement.

MB Roland gained recognition for its grain-to-glass approach, distilling bourbon, rye whiskies, and other spirits using locally sourced corn and traditional production methods. The operation expanded over the years to include a dedicated rickhouse, tasting room, and visitor facility.

The upcoming auction will offer prospective buyers the opportunity to acquire an established brand alongside functional distillation equipment, mature aging stock, and fully licensed commercial infrastructure. Final terms of the sale and bidding procedures are set to be finalized ahead of the December event.

The transition comes during a period of ongoing expansion across the craft distillation sector nationwide. Kentucky remains the center of American bourbon production, housing both historic legacy distilleries and a growing ecosystem of independent craft spirits producers.