Wes Henderson’s whiskey firm faces $1.5m in claims
A whiskey venture led by Angel’s Envy founder Wes Henderson is facing legal action for allegedly failing to pay almost US$1.5 million in architectural and consulting fees for a new Kentucky distillery project.
Architecture firm Luckett & Farley (L&F) and consulting company Peggy Noe Stevens & Associates have separately filed lawsuits against Henderson’s TKC Distilling and its related entities – Saga Spirits Group and Bluegrass Holdings – in Jefferson Circuit Court.
Founded by Henderson, Saga Spirits Group is the US-based spirits company behind new whiskey brand True Story.
Henderson purchased The Kentucky Castle in August 2023 for US$19m, which is home to a spa, hotel and ‘farm-to-table’ restaurant. He also purchased a 150-acre lot in Versailles, Kentucky, in 2024.
At the time of the announcement, the new US$92.5m Kentucky Castle project planned to include a distillery, an interactive visitor centre, a tasting room and restaurant. The development was projected to create 89 jobs, paying an average hourly wage of US$38.62.
The filing claimed that in September 2012, Bluegrass and TKC began working with L&F, who provided design services for the creation of a new Bourbon brand and distillery.
But only a portion of the invoices were paid by Henderson’s companies.
Due to the companies’ failure to make timely payments, on 6 April 2025, TKC and L&F entered into a promissory note – a promise in writing to make a payment – for the total of US$1,010,254.38, alongside an interest rate of 1.5% per year.
However, TKC only made three payments to L&F throughout 2025: US$50,000, US$9,588.22 and a final sum of US$25,000.
As a result of making no additional payments, TKC is now in default of the note, which has a principal balance of US$925,654.38, plus interest of approximately US$10,682.97.
L&F alleges that TKC has breached its contract by failing to make timely and full payments under the terms of the contract.
Separately, TKC is also facing a similar lawsuit from Peggy Noe Stevens for alleging failing to pay for its consulting services.
As of 27 April 2026, the consulting firm claims that TKC owes US$456,425.28 under its consulting agreement, and US$54,288.10 through a loan. The consulting agreement balance continues to accrue interest at an annual rate of 14%.
The Spirits Business has approached Saga Spirits for comment.
In January last year, private equity firm InvestBev finalised an eight-figure barrel financing agreement with Saga Spirits.
Henderson founded Louisville-based Angel’s Envy in 2006, alongside his father Lincoln Henderson, who died in 2013. The American whiskey brand was acquired by Bacardi for an undisclosed sum two years later.
Many members of the Henderson family are part of the Saga Spirits project including Wes Henderson’s three sons.
The Kentucky Tourism Development Finance Authority approved up to US$4.192m in tourism tax incentives for the Kentucky distillery project. Saga Spirits received approval for a separate US$1.05m in incentives in 2023.
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