KY bourbon associated with former UK QB Tim Couch sued, faces $2m+ liens
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- Limestone Farms Distilling Co. faces $2M+ in liens and multiple lawsuits.
- Thoroughbred Engineering and Woodford Excavation filed claims for unpaid work.
- Peoples Bank seeks whiskey barrels after default on $178K equipment loan.
A Kentucky bourbon distillery that included Kentucky football legend Tim Couch as a partner is facing more than $2 million in liens and multiple lawsuits.
Limestone Farms Distilling Co., based in Georgetown, has been sued by Thoroughbred Engineering (also known as Colt Engineering) for about $742,000 as of June 9 after the firm filed liens in March. There are multiple other liens filed, including one for more than $1.3 million.
“LF Heritage Distilling is 100% committed to moving forward with the proposed distillery and visitors’ center in Georgetown, Scott County, Kentucky,” attorney Jason Morgan said in a statement to the Herald-Leader. “LF Heritage Distilling will offer unique products differentiating from other distilled spirits in our Commonwealth. The local community’s support and connection to this project is vital to Scott County and the greater Georgetown area.
The distillery has “no intention of filing for bankruptcy,” Morgan said. He said he is working with the distillery’s financing and construction partners “to advance the project as quickly as possible, considering the challenging economic times confronting the bourbon industry.”
Limestone Farms is at least the fifth Kentucky whiskey company to face legal and financial trouble in the last year. Kentucky Owl and owner Stoli filed for bankruptcy in December. Garrard County Distilling Co. is in receivership. Luca Mariano filed for bankruptcy protection owing at least $34.5 million. And Whiskey House faces a lien from Buzick Construction.
Limestone Farms had opened a facility in Georgetown but apparently has not begun distilling on site.
Thoroughbred Engineering has sued Limestone Farms, owners Dudley Jennings and Wanda Jennings or Jenkins — both names are listed — and master distiller Darin Dillow.
Couch and his brother, Greg, were not sued and appear to be no longer associated with the brand or the company. However, they are listed on mortgages held by Peoples Bank for the distillery property, according to the lawsuit filings. Peoples Bank held more than $5 million in mortgages on the distillery property as of August 2024.
Following Tim Couch’s 2024 induction into the College Football Hall of Fame, the distiller released a commemorative 110.8 proof bourbon.
A native of Hyden, Couch played quarterback at the University of Kentucky from 1996 to 1998 and was the No. 1 pick in the 1999 NFL draft, selected by the Browns. He played for five seasons.
In a statement, Greg Couch said that he and his brother don’t know anything about the distillery’s current troubles.
“We have no operational interest and just did a small investment upfront when they were raising funds,” Greg Couch said via text. “That’s our only involvement in it.”
A year ago, in September 2024, Limestone Farms announced a rebranding, saying, “LF Heritage Distilling Co., still operating under the Limestone Farms name, is thrilled to reveal a brand refresh that celebrates its rapid growth, deep Kentucky roots, and enhanced leadership, all while reinforcing its dedication to quality and excellence in distilling.”
Limestone Farms released its first bourbon in 2023. They announced plans to open a tourism destination that would include a bar and lounge with a “speakeasy” atmosphere and outdoor patio on a cattle farm.
According to Thoroughbred Engineering’s lawsuit, in October 2023, Thoroughbred began designing a production distillery and tasting room. Thoroughbred also helped Limestone pursue and get a zone change and annexation into Georgetown that increased the value of the property, according to the lawsuit.
Another company, Woodford Excavation and Transport of Versailles, filed a lien in March in Scott County alleging Limestone Farms owes them nearly $1.3 million excavation, transportation and site development work on the property on Paynes Depot Road.
According to LEX18.com, some of the distillery property has been cleared, but there was no equipment on the land as of Friday. LEX18 reported that at least one other lien had been filed.
Limestone Farms Distillery has filed a motion to dismiss the suit by Thoroughbred Engineering.
In a separate lawsuit filed in April, Peoples Bank Ohio sued Limestone Farms LLC, which is the property of Darin Dillow and his wife, Bethany, who also own an Angus cattle farm at the same location on Soards Road as the distillery’s office.
Peoples Bank alleged that in April 2023, Limestone Farms borrowed $178,000 for equipment and secured the loan 24 barrels of whiskey as collateral as well as a personal guaranty. Peoples Bank said they have defaulted on the loan and owe more than $92,000. The bank wants to take possession of the barrels; a hearing on a motion for summary judgment is scheduled in the case on Sept. 4.
According to another lawsuit filed in May against the Dillows by Central Kentucky Agricultural Credit Association, the Dillows also are in default on more than a loan and owe more than $210,000 on their cattle farm.
This story was originally published August 25, 2025 at 11:48 AM.
