The company was originally known as Newcomb, Buchanan & Co, which in 1871 was already the largest distilling company in Kentucky. Previous incarnations of the company are unknown at this time. The following timeline is based on the Coyte papers, cited in OASG, 1988), and information from city directories .

1871-1875: Newcomb, Buchanan & Co. The president Geo. C Buchanan, who had built the Anderson, Buchahan, Graystone and Nelson distilleries.

1876: The company reorganized and was now known as The Newcomb Co.

1877-1884: Another reorganization yielded The Newcomb-Buchanan Co.

1885: The Anderson & Nelson Distilleries Co. was incorporated with Herman Becurts, President, Fred W. Adams, Secretary and Manager. Geo Buchanan managed sales. The financing for the reorganization was provided by the UK-based Paris, Allen & Co.

Coyte shows that the company by this time controlled six distillery warehouses and nine major brands of whiskey:
RD#4, Newcomb-Buchanan Co., Nelson brand;
RD#97 Anderson Distillery Co., Anderson brand;
RD#352 Jacob Ambs & Co., Woodcock brand;
RD#353 Geo. C. Buchanan, "Buchanan";
RD #353 Jno. Endress & Co., Grape Creek;
RD#368 R. P. Pepper & Co., Old R. P. Pepper ;
RD#368 J. A. Monks & Sons, Pee Dee;
RD#369 Geo. C. Buchanan, Graystone;
RD#369 J. A. Monks & Sons, Monks.

The Graystone was operating as The Allen-Bradley distilleries.

1890: The Graystone distillery burned to the ground and its substantial output was was later replaced by the Elk Run. Mr. Buchanan contined to travel selling whiskey. The Jesse-Moore-Hunt Co. of California gained an interest in the company.

1905: The company was absorbed by the Trust (KD&W) and by 1912 they were producing Anderson, Nelson, Buchanan, Slocum, Jefferson, Jackson, U. S. Club, Elk Run, and possibly other brands. In addition they distilled for other trust companies such as Regan and Imorde.

1918: A large alcohol plant was built adjacent to the Nelson plant on Hamilton avenue.