Founded in 2021, Jackson Purchase Distillery may be a newcomer to Kentucky's legendary bourbon landscape, but its impact has been swift and significant. Nestled in the historic town of Hickman, where Kentucky meets Tennessee and Missouri along the Mississippi River, the distillery is redefining what it means to produce authentic, high-quality bourbon. With industry veterans like Master Distiller Craig Beam—a seventh-generation member of the iconic Beam family—and Assistant Master Distiller Terry Ballard, formerly of Willett, at the helm, Jackson Purchase Distillery is driven by tradition and fueled by innovation. As they gear up to exhibit at the International Bulk Wine & Spirits Show (IBWSS) 2025 in San Francisco held on 29th and 30th July, the team is ready to share their exceptional Kentucky spirits with a global audience, showcasing a craft rooted in heritage, yet boldly pushing the boundaries of what’s next in whiskey.

In a conversation with Lloyd Jones, CEO, Jackson Purchase Distillery, read on to find out what it is about this establishment that sets it apart from its competitors.

Jackson Purchase Distillery was founded in 2021 and has already made a name for itself. What inspired you to create the distillery, and what vision drives the team?

Jackson Purchase Distillery was born when a group of bourbon industry veterans spotted the opportunity to buy a mothballed Western Kentucky distillery that had tremendous potential but had never gone into full production. Assembling an all-star team of bourbon pros and investing more than $40 million, they jumped at the chance to build and configure the distillery exactly how they wanted it – from the ground up.

The bourbon industry is steeped in tradition. How do you at Jackson Purchase Distillery balance honoring Kentucky’s bourbon legacy while bringing something new to the market?

Master Distiller Craig Beam represents the seventh generation of the legendary Beam family, while Assistant Master Distiller Terry Ballard spent decades at Willett practicing the distilling skills his grandfathers taught him. They’re both committed to using age-old techniques, including 100% copper stills and the highest quality local grain. At the same time, the combination of their experience and JPD’s state of the art facility allows them to freely try new innovations – like the new American Single Malt Whiskey they’ve just produced and put up to age.

Your location in Western Kentucky plays a crucial role in the quality of your bourbon. How does your environment and local resources contribute to the uniqueness of your spirits?

Western Kentucky provides several natural advantages that set our whiskies apart from those made in other parts of the state: 

- Water: Our on-site well draws our water from the Mississippi Embayment Aquifer, whose calcium-rich water contributes to fermentation and creates a richer, more complex flavor profile.

- Local grains: Our location puts us right in the middle of some of the highest-quality grains available, and we’re proud to contribute to our community by providing a market for Western KY farmers to sell their grain locally.

- Climate: Western Kentucky sees greater variations in temperature than some of the other bourbon-producing regions of the state – as much as 5 degrees. We’re already seeing how that difference impacts the aging process – producing richer flavor and deeper color in less time.

Team at Jackson Purchase Distillery

You offer contract distilling services to craft brands and distillers. What makes Jackson Purchase Distillery an ideal partner for those looking to scale their production?

Our two stills are now running 24/7, producing 200 barrels a day. Combined with our industry expertise and strong supplier network, we have the capacity to meet just about any customer’s needs. We also have the knowledge and flexibility to work alongside the customer, developing the ideal mash bill to meet their needs.

With a growing number of distilleries offering contract production, how do you ensure quality and consistency for your clients while maintaining your own brand’s reputation?

Because we only sell to industry clients - our success depends entirely on delivering a quality product - not marketing or gimmicks. We know that our customers know whiskey better than anyone else, and we have legacies to uphold, so we are committed to meeting exacting standards without fail.

Can you share any insights into some of the trends pertaining to what clients are looking for in a bourbon supplier?

A quality product, delivered consistently and reliably, will always be the number one thing clients are looking for. Beyond that, they’re looking for a distillery that can help them stand out in an ever more crowded field. That’s why our customers have been so excited about the American Single Malt we’ve just started producing, as well as the many other custom mash bills we produce.

Jackson Purchase Distillery

You’ve mentioned producing over 60,000 barrels annually. What’s the process like for ensuring consistency across such a high volume while still crafting exceptional bourbon?

The key is bringing together the right expertise, and constantly applying it with meticulous attention to detail. Craig constantly monitors the quality of the product, while Terry takes a hands-on approach to every aspect of the production process. But it doesn’t stop there. Every member of the team they’ve built is committed to creating the highest quality authentic Kentucky bourbon.

The bourbon industry has seen tremendous growth in recent years. What key trends do you see shaping the future of bourbon production and sales?

It’s no secret that our industry is facing some headwinds – and bourbon’s long production cycle can make it particularly challenging to adapt to those quickly. There’s still tremendous upside for bourbon and American whiskey, however, especially for products that stand out in a crowded field. Now that American Single Malt has a Statement of Identity, that category is poised for tremendous growth. There’s also an opportunity for those people who are launching distinct brands without necessarily doing any distilling of their own. To make that work, they need a custom distiller who can work alongside them every step of the way – and that’s where JPD comes in.

Sustainability is becoming a big conversation in the spirits industry. How does your distillery approach sustainability, from sourcing ingredients to production processes?

We’re committed to being a responsible and productive partner for the Fulton County Community, where many of us have deep roots. It begins with sourcing local grains which means less transport for local farmers, many of whom also use our stillage as a high-quality sustainable feed for their livestock. Our new treatment system allows us to separate water for re-use in the distillery, and its wet cake process makes the spent grain available to more Western Kentucky Farmers.

Jackson Purchase Distillery

What’s next for Jackson Purchase Distillery? Are there any expansion plans, new services, or innovations on the horizon?

We’re always growing and innovating at Jackson Purchase Distillery. We’re about to finish our second steel rickhouse, and other on-site improvements are underway. Customers have been very excited about our new American Single Malt offering, and we’ll have more new mash bills in the future. And we’re always looking to give people more ways to taste our whiskey – so look for us at industry events and special tastings.