Located in the western most point of Kentucky, Jackson Purchase Distillery has been quietly producing bourbon and whiskey for its clients — including CaskX — since 2021. At the beginning, there were no plans to come out with their own branded product. But after a few years of expansion and growing interest in the company from consumers, the team has changed its mind — and the first Jackson Purchase bourbon will be on shelves in Kentucky in early September.
CaskX has been a proud partner of Jackson Purchase since the very beginning, and this new release should come as good news to our many clients who have purchased barrels from the distillery through CaskX.
As a member of the Louisville media, I was invited to attend a launch party for the new bourbon — a 4-year-old full proof blend of barrels bottled at 117.8 proof — at the Jackson Purchase offices in downtown Louisville.
Master Distiller Craig Beam (formerly of Heaven Hill) and Assistant Master Distiller Terry Ballard (formerly of Willett) talked about the distillery’s humble beginnings and what brought them on board.
Several staff and board members were present as well, including the founders and owners.
Beam said he is proud of the flagship release, pointing out the deep, rich amber color of the bourbon is uncommon for a 4-year-old whiskey. He attributes that to the hot, humid Western Kentucky summers and the quality of their calcium-rich water.
More on the Bourbon
The 4-year bourbon has a fairly standard mash bill of 70% corn, 20% rye and 10% malted barley. Beam said he likes to keep the malted barley at least around 10% so he does not have to rely on added enzymes in the fermentation process. The barrel-entry proof is 120, and the team decided to bottle it at 117.8 proof.
Beam said the flagship release will only be available in Kentucky, and those attending September’s Kentucky Bourbon Festival will be among the first to sample (and purchase) the bourbon. In stores, it will retail for around $59.99 a bottle, and it will be slightly more at the Bourbon Festival due to special packaging. Beam and Ballard will also be around during the festival to sign bottles. They’ll appear in the CaskX tent as well, so stay tuned for more on that.
I was able to taste the bourbon at the launch party, and I can attest to it drinking more like a 7-8-year bourbon than a 4. The color is also remarkable — with such a dark amber hue that I would have bet $20 it was older than 5 years at least. Notes of caramel corn, dark chocolate and candied apple prevailed, as well as a pinch of black pepper and oak on the finish.
In June, Jackson Purchase filled its 100,000th barrel. After tasting this first release, I know there is so much more to come from this Fulton County distillery.
