Prominent Bourbon Maker Wes Henderson Fired as Kentucky Castle CEO Amid Voyeurism Lawsuit

Wes Henderson, the founder of Angel’s Envy bourbon, has been terminated as CEO of The Kentucky Castle and True Story Whiskey following a lawsuit accusing him of secretly recording family members and other people.

TKC Distilling, the parent company of The Kentucky Castle and True Story Whiskey, announced Henderson’s termination effective immediately. The company said Kyle Henderson will take over as CEO of both businesses while the board conducts an independent investigation into the allegations.

“The Board and leadership of TKC Distilling, the parent company of The Kentucky Castle and True Story Whiskey, have terminated the employment of CEO Wes Henderson, effective immediately, in light of the allegations outlined in recently filed lawsuit,” the company said, according to WKYT.

“The Board will conduct a full and independent investigation into the allegations,” the statement said.

The action follows a sealed lawsuit filed in June in Oldham County, Kentucky. Family members accuse Henderson of invasion of privacy, voyeurism and possession or viewing of material portraying a sexual performance by a minor. No criminal charges have been filed in connection with the allegations.

Family members say they discovered about 15 hidden cameras at Henderson’s Florida home in June 2025, some of which allegedly had capabilities of live streaming. They later allegedly found another 15 cameras at his Oldham County home after receiving permission to search the property.

The lawsuit alleges that the cameras were disguised as everyday objects, including fire alarms, clocks, speakers, fans, charging blocks and outlet extenders. Some were allegedly capable of live-streaming.

The family members say they turned the cameras, SD cards and recorded footage over to law enforcement.

According to the lawsuit, the recordings captured people undressing, using the restroom and having sex. The complaint also alleges that some recordings captured sexual activity at The Kentucky Castle, which Henderson has owned since 2023.

The lawsuit alleges that about 40 people were captured without their knowledge.

The complaint also alleges that footage showed Henderson installing hidden cameras and placing them to capture views of beds. It also alleges that the camera footage revealed Henderson having sex with women who were not his wife, Julie. The family members bringing the lawsuit say they informed Julie, who gave them permission to sweep the Oldham County house and said she would file for divorce.

However, according to the lawsuit, she “has since completely changed her mind and stayed with her husband.”

Henderson’s attorney has said he unequivocally denies the allegations, according to the Herald-Leader.

Henderson’s Bourbon Career

Henderson is best known as the founder of Angel’s Envy, the Kentucky bourbon brand he launched with his father, Lincoln Henderson. Bacardi acquired Angel’s Envy in 2015 in a deal reported at $150 million.

Henderson later moved into the hospitality business, purchasing The Kentucky Castle in Versailles in 2023. He also launched True Story Whiskey through TKC Distilling and pursued plans for a new distillery near the castle.

Those distillery plans have been put on hold, and Henderson’s companies are separately facing lawsuits over unpaid debts tied to the distilling and hospitality businesses. The cases include claims from architects Luckett & Farley, consultant Peggy Noe Stevens and GMR Marketing.

The Kentucky Castle and True Story Whiskey will now be led by Kyle Henderson while the company investigates the allegations against his predecessor.