MGP Ingredients, short for Midwestern Grain Products, is one of the most influential distilleries in American whiskey history, even if many drinkers have never heard of it by name. Founded in 1941 by Cloud L. Cray Sr. in Atchison, Kansas, the company grew steadily over the decades into a powerhouse of grain distilling. Its facility in Lawrenceburg, Indiana became the beating heart of the operation and a cornerstone of the American whiskey industry. In 2021, MGP expanded further with the acquisition of Luxco Inc., cementing its position as a major force in the spirits world. What makes MGP truly unique is its dual role as both a contract distiller and a brand owner. For decades, the distillery has quietly supplied bourbon and rye whiskey to countless brands across the United States, making it one of the largest and most consequential producers of American whiskey you may never have recognized on a label. The facility in Lawrenceburg is renowned for its high-quality mashbills, including a notably high-rye bourbon recipe that has influenced countless bottlings across the industry. As of April 2021, MGP owns eight whiskey brands of its own, including George Remus bourbon and Rossville Union rye. These house brands allow whiskey lovers to taste MGP's distillate in its most direct form, without the intermediary of a third-party label. The Lawrenceburg distillery is open to visitors and offers a fascinating look behind the curtain of one of America's great whiskey secrets.