Distillery Trail - Tales from the Trail

In a recent article Distillery Trail writes about our first branded whiskey, Batch No. 1—a 4-year-old full-proof Kentucky straight bourbon—marking a major milestone for the Hickman, Kentucky-based operation. Founded in 2021 and primarily focused on contract distilling, the company is led by seventh-generation Master Distiller Craig Beam and Assistant Master Distiller Terry Ballard, bringing decades of industry experience to the project.

Distillery Trail explains that the inaugural batch was crafted from a traditional mash bill of 70% corn, 20% rye, and 10% malted barley, aged in #4 char oak barrels, and bottled at 117.8 proof. It also highlights the influence of Western Kentucky’s warmer climate and longer growing season, which help accelerate aging and produce deeper color and richer flavor at a younger age. The limited release debuted at the Kentucky Bourbon Festival, offering consumers a rare chance to experience the distillery’s own label after years of producing whiskey for others.