Adairville, Logan County, Kentucky – November 22, 2022 – Shawn McCormick, owner & founder of B.H. James Distillers, proudly announces the introduction and release of their first in-house made distillate, Kentucky Grit Corn Whiskey. Kentucky Grit is the newest member of the B.H. James Distillers family of products. The unaged corn whiskey was made from corn and rye grown in Logan County Kentucky by Walnut Grove Farms and with malted barley grown and malted by South Fork Malthouse in Cynthiana, Kentucky. The first mash bill of 81% Non-GMO Corn, 10% Rye, 5% Caramel Malt and 4% Oats was distilled in a small 25 gallon pot still outside in plain view of anyone driving by on Friday November 18 th making it the first time whiskey was legally distilled in Adairville since prohibition! Which took away the excitement when a Sheriff’s car stopped by. The very small quantities of the first and second batches have already sold out. But we distill each week and have fresh 100 ml bottles available at the distillery each week.

In time for the holiday gift giving season, B.H. James Distillers also announces the second batch of Burton James Uniquely American Whiskey named Rookie Season: Batter Up. Rookie Season: Batter Up is made from the same lots of whiskey used to create the first release, however, has its own unique flavor profile making it fun to taste them side by side. By coincidence, Batter Up has the same 104.6 proof as Batch One Rookie Season: Opener. Batter Up was crafted from 6 barrels of American Whiskey comprised of 45.5% - 7.7 year old Bourbon (with 21% rye content), 30.6% 6.9 year old Bourbon (with 36% rye content), 21.4% 7.6 year old Rye Whiskey (with 95% rye content) and 2.5% Light Whiskey. All the whiskies were distilled in Indiana. Only 852 bottles were filled due to reduced yields from each barrel. When enjoyed neat, Rookie Season: Batter Up has aromas of nicely aged whiskey and brown sugar with hints of spearmint, baking spices and cinnamon. The initial sip offers flavors of brown sugar, baking spice and cinnamon. Additional sips provide notes of spearmint and herbal undertones. A hint of mocha comes through at the finish which is lengthy with an overall sweet impression with brown sugar, mocha, baking spices, oak, and light hints of spearmint. Burton James TM Uniquely AmericanWhiskey Rookie Season: Batter Up is now available for purchase at the distillery. B.H. James Distillers is located just west of the Adairville town square at 220 W. Gallatin Street, Adairville, Kentucky 42202. 

Please go to the Burton James Whiskey website for additional batch information – www.burtonjameswhiskey.com

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About B.H. James Distillers

B.H. James Distillers is a small craft distillery located at 220 W. Gallatin Street, Adairville, KY 42202 and is owned by Shawn McCormick who was born in Russellville, Kentucky with a family history going back at least five generations in Logan County. It produces Burton James Uniquely American Whiskey, James Lake Vodka, and Kentucky Grit Whiskies. It had its ribbon cutting on November 4, 2022, and the Bottle Shop is now open Thursday thru Saturday 1 PM to 5 PM selling the spirits it produces as well as T-shirts, hats, glassware, etc. The spirits are distributed in Kentucky by Heritage Wine and Spirits.

Being a long-time bourbon drinker and wanting to own a business, McCormick became inspired to open a distillery after going on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail in 2012. In January 2015, he purchased his first 16 barrels of Bourbon & Rye whiskies to start the aging process. His original goal was to open the distillery before 2020; however, like a fine whiskey, good things happen with a little more age. His now 10-year dream became reality on November 4, 2022.

B.H. James Distillers and Burton James Uniquely American are the names chosen by the owner, Shawn McCormick, as a tribute to the legacy of his great-grandfather, Burton Hulon James (well known as B. H. or Huse). James played professional baseball from 1908 until 1919 when he and his wife, Estelle, settled on her family farm in Adairville, KY and established roots in the Adairville and Logan County community.

James Lake is named after the limestone spring-fed lake created by B. H. and Estelle James at the edge of their Adairville farm so she could indulge her passion for fishing. Because some of McCormick’s favorite memories are fishing and skipping rocks with his great-grandmother at James Lake, he called his botanical spirits James Lake. Today the lake is still fed by the limestone spring and is owned and maintained by the Red River Fish & Game Habitat.

Finally, McCormick wants to remind the reader to always pursue their passion! Sometimes the road to fulfilling your dream is as lengthy as aging fine whiskey. But if you’re persistent and patient, do good work, and start with the end in mind --- dreams can be realized!

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