From the Battlefield to the Bourbon Trail: Horse Soldier Bourbon’s big move to Kentucky

SOMERSET, Ky. (FOX 56) — A world-class bourbon distillery is taking shape in the heart of Kentucky.

Horse Soldier Bourbon, a veteran-owned company currently based in Florida, is moving to Somerset, where it will build its forever home—infusing history, heroism, and economic opportunity into the community.

The company’s origins are as unique as its name. After 9/11, founder Scott Neil and his fellow Green Berets were among the first U.S. soldiers deployed to Afghanistan. Their mission, which involved fighting alongside Afghan resistance forces on horseback, was later immortalized in the film “12 Strong.”

“The name Horse Soldier came from our collective background,” Neil explained. “As President Bush was looking to communicate America’s response to 9/11, he learned we were on horseback and called us the Horse Soldiers.”

For these warriors-turned-entrepreneurs, transitioning from military service to business was a natural evolution.

“We’re kind of like the Army’s expeditionary entrepreneurs,” said Neil, now the company’s president. “We were given little guidance and few resources, sent to remote locations, and told to be successful. So that really became the background when I transitioned out of the military to grow and build a business.”

Horse Soldier Bourbon is more than a premium spirit—it’s a tribute to the soldiers’ journey. Each bottle serves as a reminder of where their mission began.

“The name Horse Soldier came from a little bit about our collective background. We were the first Green Berets into Afghanistan. We linked up behind the lines with some mujahideen resistance fighters, and they were on horseback,” Neil said. “So, as President Bush was looking to communicate to the American public about America’s response, he had learned that we were on horseback, and hence he called us the Horse Soldiers.”

Now, the Horse Soldier team is carrying that spirit forward by investing in Somerset. While Kentucky’s bourbon industry is typically centered in Louisville and Bardstown, the team saw something special in this small town community.

Somerset Mayor Alan Keck, who played a key role in recruiting the distillery, recalled his first outreach.

“I sent them a cold email in hopes of bringing a bourbon distillery to town,” Keck said. “When they came, they fell in love.”

Horse Soldier Bourbon’s new facility will be more than just a distillery. It will include a restaurant, outdoor event spaces, and access to Lake Cumberland, creating a major tourism destination and a significant economic boost for the region.

Beyond construction, the company is prioritizing local hiring, particularly for veterans.

“We’ve already connected with Kentucky’s veteran placement program,” Neil said. “We want to build our forever home with those we served with.”

Keck believes this project will be transformative.

“It’s huge for our community to be on the Bourbon Trail,” he said. “But even bigger than that, we have a distillery owned by true American heroes. That makes it even more special for our citizens.”

For the Horse Soldier team, this venture isn’t just about bourbon—it’s about proving that the American dream is alive and well.

“This is America, and you should live the American dream you’ve been defending,” Neil said. “You have to reach out for opportunities, and any veteran has the chance to excel. We’re just one example of what small business success looks like in this country.”

The grand opening is set for July 4, 2026—fittingly, the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.