Jackson Purchase Distillery launches its first private label bourbon. Here's what we know

Opening a distillery, even in Kentucky where 90% of the world’s bourbon is produced, doesn’t guarantee success. But under the guidance of Craig Beam, a seventh-generation bourbon distiller from the legendary Jim Beam family, and Terry Ballard, formerly of the luxury Willett Distillery, Jackson Purchase has become one of the fastest growing distilleries in the commonwealth.

Since its inception, the distillery, located in a small west Kentucky town, has been in the contract distilling business. A contract distiller, like Jackson Purchase, produces bourbon for clients who want specific mash bills or for clients who need bourbon for a particular brand — unlike, for example, distilleries like Jim Beam or Heaven Hill, which make bourbon for their branded labels.

Now, Beam and Ballard have crafted their own special blend of the state’s famed brown water, and it will be available for consumers in Kentucky in September.

"I think now is as good a time as any to do this, because it certainly signifies that Jackson Purchase Distillery is moving in an upward direction," said Lloyd Jones, CEO and president of Jackson Purchase Distillery.

More than just another bourbon

Jackson Purchase Master Distiller Craig Beam raises a glass during an official introduction at The Ice House in downtown Louisville to unveil the Western Kentucky bourbon. At right is Terry Ballard, assistant master distiller and plant manager. The Hickman, Kentucky-produced bourbon will be available on retailer shelves in Kentucky in September. August 21, 2025

For the Jackson Purchase team, making bourbon is about carrying on a legacy of distillation in Kentucky and supporting the local community.

The duo previously told The Courier Journal they try to source as much of their grain from local farmers and have intentionally brought jobs and more than $37 million in investment to Hickman, a rural area in the state where the distillery is located.

"We haven't looked back since," Beam said about setting up the distillery in Fulton County.

In June, Gov. Andy Beshear recognized Jackson Purchase Distllery for filling its 100,000th barrel of bourbon, a mere four years after opening its doors.

Beam, a 2025 Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame inductee, said the distillery runs five days a week, pumping out more than 150 barrels each day. This continued growth and demand for the production has led the quaint distillery, which sits on a ridge and operates solely off well water, to need at least two more rickhouses for future product.

Jackson Purchase Bourbon's tasting notes can include on the individual's palette honey, caramel, banana, cinnamon and vanilla. August 21, 2025

Most recently in July, the distillery was named a Kentucky Distillers’ Association Heritage member, making it only the 17th distillery to reach this milestone, according to KDA. A Heritage member is the highest rank within the organization and represents a distillery that ages more than 50,000 barrels annually.

"We applaud the commitment and investment that the Jackson Purchase team has made to the timeless craft of Kentucky bourbon," KDA President Eric Gregory said in a statement. "We look forward to their leadership as a Heritage member, and working together to sustainably grow the Commonwealth’s signature industry."

In addition to the economic development the distillery is creating in Fulton, Ballard and Beam believe the location is also contributing to its early success.

"Where we are in western Kentucky, we have a really good climate for whiskey maturation with the heat and the humidity," Van Carlisle, chairman of the board at Jackson Purchase Distillery, told The Courier Journal in June. "It just stays a little warmer a little longer and ... that helps accelerate the aging."

Meet the new Jackson Purchase bourbon

Ballard and Beam aren’t afraid to experiment.

Both are highly skilled and trained distillers, with some of the most iconic brands, products, and teachers making up their past. Recently, the team was one of the early distilleries to jump at the opportunity to create an American single malt whiskey after federal regulation guidelines went into effect that regulate the specifics of how it can be produced.

And while the two had previously teased to The Courier Journal that a private label product could be in the works, the Jackson Purchase bourbon, named in honor of the distillery, has finally brought that vision to life.

"We took this stuff to the trades shows this past year or so and let them try it at the two-and-a-half to three year age mark and people couldn't believe it," Beam said.

The two acclaimed distillers picked about 15 barrels for the initial limited product launch. The bourbon will be bottled on Aug. 25 and ready for consumers in September. Initially, the bourbon will only be distributed in Kentucky and the first chance to buy it will be at the Kentucky Bourbon Festival, held in Bardstown Sept. 5-7.

Jackson Purchase Bourbon will be available on retailer shelves in Kentucky in September. The distillery is producing 200 barrels per day. August 21, 2025

The Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey features a fine amber color with tasting notes of honey, caramel, banana, cinnamon and vanilla. Ballard said the bourbon boasts a mash bill that is 70% corn, 20% rye and 10% barley. The bourbon proof is 117.8.

"To each their own, the best thing about tasting is everybody has your own unique flavors you pull out," Ballard said Aug. 21 at a preview of the newly released bourbon.

The bourbon was aged in a "plain Jane" standard charred white oak barrel and was aged for four years — though Beam and Ballard both feel the bourbon presents closer to an eight- or 10-year-old product thanks to aging in the hot and humid western Kentucky environment.

Consumers will be able to find it at retailers and on premises at bars and restaurants in Louisville, including Volare, 2300 Frankfort Ave., starting in mid- to late September. The product will sell for $75 at the bourbon festival and will be at the suggested retail price of $59.95.

As the Jackson Purchase team celebrates the product launch, it's already looking ahead to the future. Beam said the first launch is something he's proud of, but he's already looking to some different mash bills the team has in the works and is specifically excited about a potential future wheated bourbon release, he told The Courier Journal.

"You can't let this go, so you have got to keep adding to it," Beam said with smile.

Contact business reporter Olivia Evans at [email protected] or on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @oliviamevans_.

How to make the Fulton Old Fashioned

A Fulton Old Fashioned made with 1.5 oz of Jackson Purchase Bourbon, 1.2 oz. Giffard's Banana du Bresil, 1/8 oz. Banana real puree syrup, four dashes of El Guapo Chicory Pecan Bitters and garnished with a candied pecan and1-1 spritz banana liqueur. More info: www.jacksonpurchasebourbon.com August 21, 2025

The Fulton Old Fashioned pays homage to the home of Jackson Purchase Distillery and was created by Heather Wibbels, an award-winning mixologist and whiskey enthusiast

Ingredients:

1.5 ounce Jackson Purchase bourbon

1/8 ounce Banana Reàl Purée Syrup

Optional garnish: candied pecans and banana liqueur

Recipe:

Combine the first four ingredients and stir.

Pour into a rocks glass over ice.

For a garnish, add candied pecan and spritz with the banana liqueur.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Jackson Purchase Distillery launches its first private label bourbon. Here's what we know