Oldham County, Ky. – TKC Distilling, the company that produces Kentucky Castle bourbon and True Story Whiskey, announced Saturday that it has terminated the employment of its chief executive officer, Wes Henderson, effective immediately. The decision follows a sealed lawsuit that outlines a series of allegations against Henderson.

Board action and investigation

In a statement released by the board and senior leadership, TKC Distilling said the removal was necessary to protect the company’s reputation and to allow a thorough, independent investigation into the claims. “The company remains committed to addressing the matter with responsibility and to ensuring that the investigation is conducted thoroughly and fairly,” the statement read.

Henderson’s other public role

Beyond his corporate responsibilities, Wes Henderson also served as the deputy coroner for Oldham County. Oldham County Advanced Coroner David Pendleton confirmed that Henderson stepped away from his coroner duties and is now on unpaid leave pending the outcome of the allegations. “Since these are allegations only, before I could issue a notice of suspension, Deputy Henderson stepped away from his position with the Coroner’s office, taking an unpaid leave of absence until further notice,” Pendleton said. No additional details about the nature of the allegations or the expected length of the leave were provided.

Interim leadership

Following Henderson’s departure, the board appointed Kyle Henderson to assume the duties of CEO for both Kentucky Castle and True Story Whiskey. The company did not elaborate on Kyle Henderson’s background or experience, but indicated that the transition would be seamless for employees, distributors, and consumers.

Next steps

TKC Distilling emphasized that the forthcoming investigation will be “full and independent,” signaling a commitment to transparency and accountability. The board has not set a timeline for the investigation’s completion, nor have they disclosed whether any interim measures will be taken regarding company operations.

Community response

Local officials and industry observers have expressed a desire for clarity, noting the importance of Kentucky’s bourbon heritage to the state’s economy. While the sealed nature of the lawsuit limits public insight, the swift board action demonstrates a proactive approach to safeguarding the brand’s integrity.

Contact information

WLKY reached out to Wes Henderson’s attorney for comment but has not yet received a response.

Original reporting: WLKY Louisville — read the source article.