KC native, active-duty Army officer brings the Kentucky bourbon brand he founded to his home state

Adding H.K. Young Bourbon Co. to select shelves in Kansas is a milestone with deep personal significance, said founder Cole “CG” Hanna, who was inspired to build the brand during his time stationed at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, near the Bourbon Trail.

Cole “CG” and Joslyn Hanna; courtesy photo

“Kansas isn’t just another market for us. It’s personal,” said Hanna. “Bourbon has always been about creating community and sharing experiences. Having the opportunity to share H.K. Young with people back home makes this moment especially meaningful.”

Click here to learn more about H.K. Young Bourbon Co.

A Kansas City native who attended St. Thomas Aquinas High School, Hanna graduated from the University of Kansas, where he commissioned into the U.S. Army through ROTC. Now with nearly 15 years of service in the U.S. Army, he remains on active duty while building the business alongside partners Tyler Young and Spencer Kilijian.

Founded in 2023 in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, H.K. Young Bourbon Co. reflects a singular focus on toasted barrel finishing, Hanna said.

Current releases include Toasted Small Batch, Single Barrel selections, Toasted Barrel Blend, and Wheated Bourbon.

“We don’t offer toasted bourbon as just one option among many,” he explained. “We built our entire identity around exploring what toasted barrel finishing can do. We source only Kentucky bourbon and finish each release in custom toasted oak barrels designed to enhance flavor and complexity.”

Products from H.K. Young Bourbon Co.; courtesy photo

That commitment to the upland South region comes after Hanna first developed his passion for bourbon in Kentucky, he explained. There, he developed relationships with fellow enthusiasts, participated in barrel selections throughout Kentucky and Tennessee, and eventually created a nonprofit bourbon society focused on community and charitable giving.

Despite launching its first products just two years ago, H.K. Young Bourbon Co has quickly made its mark, Hanna said, earning the highest score for a barrel-finished bourbon at the International Wine & Spirits Competition (93 points), a Platinum Award at the 2025 American Spirits Council of Tasters (ASCOT) Awards as featured in Forbes, and a spot on Fred Minnick’s Top 100 list.

“These accolades reflect the founding partners’ deep experience in whiskey and business operations, and their commitment to building a brand defined by quality and innovation,” H.K. Young Bourbon Co. said in a press release.