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Please read and drink responsibly.
B.H. James Distillers
Adairville, Logan County, Kentucky – October 28, 2025 – Shawn McCormick, owner & founder of B. H. James Distillers, proudly announces the release of their first barrel of Kentucky Grit® Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. This release celebrates a major milestone for the small distillery which used a tiny 26-Gallon still to produce the spirit. It was mashed, fermented and distilled all in house using 81% Logan County grown Non-GMO Yellow Corn, 10% Logan grown County Rye, 5% Kentucky grown & caramel Malted Barley, and 4% Midwestern Oats. The bourbon aged for 2 years and 2 months in a new American white oak 25-Gallon Kelvin Cooperage #4 Char Barrel. Small amounts were removed from the barrel as it aged at 6, 12, and 18 months to be part of a commemorative gift set containing 100ml bottles of the unaged new make whiskey along with the 6-month increments to show how the bourbon changed during the aging process. After the angels had their share and removal of small amounts every six months, the remaining bourbon was proofed down to 48% ABV or 96 Proof. Only 72 – 750ml of the historic bottles are available for purchase for $99.99 at the Adairville, KY distillery on Saturday November 8th during their three-year anniversary celebration 11 AM to 6 PM.
B.H. James Distillers is also launching a new “Reserve” line of extra aged whiskeys. The first in the line up to be released is Burton James® Uniquely American® Reserve – Straight Bourbon Whiskey, a two-barrel blend of 10-year-old bourbons. These two barrels are the last of the first 16 barrels McCormick purchased as new make in January 2015 as he pursued his passion of opening a distillery. Both bourbons were distilled in Indiana from 75% corn, 21% rye, and 4% malted barley and patiently aged in charred new American white oak barrels for 10 years before being blended and bottled at barrel proof of 60.85% ABV or 121.7 proof. It will be available for purchase for $99.99 at the distillery starting November 8th and then a few select Kentucky retailers.
Adding to the excitement of its 3rd anniversary on November 8th, B.H. James Distillers will be recognized by the Kentucky Corn Growers Association for its Burton James® Uniquely American® Bourbon – Batch 1 winning “Best of Kentucky” in the 2025 Heartland Whiskey Competition at 1 PM. McCormick stated, “this is a cherry on top of all the hard work leading to this milestone.” Reflecting on the long hours, and stress of running a business by himself “he couldn’t imagine doing anything else and it seems like a lifetime ago when he had a ‘real job’.” He adds, “he is thankful to the city and community of Adairville for their continued support of both him and the distillery.” To date, B.H. James Distillers’ spirits have received 94 awards during the three years he’s been making them.
All guests to the distillery on November 8th can memorialize their visit by signing a freshly filled 3rd Anniversary Kentucky Grit Bourbon barrel! As part of the anniversary celebration, B.H. James Distillers will be donating a portion of the sales from November 8th and collecting new and in-good-conditioned used coats, hats, gloves, scarves and fleece throws to benefit Lucy’s Coat Closet. “This is the third time we’re collecting the gift of warmth and donating $1.00 from every bottle of spirits and adult beverage sold during our anniversary,” said McCormick. He continued, “it is an honor for me to donate to Lucy’s Coat Closet, a charity of the First Christian Church of Russellville, as my mom Lucy McCormick ran it for many years. The Coat Closet was renamed as a tribute to her after she passed away in 2016.” In addition to the coats and other items, new socks and cash donations are also welcomed. These items can be brought to the distillery on November 8th for collection. The community is welcome to select items from Lucy’s Coat Closet at 201 West 7th Street, Russellville, KY the following days and times: November 5th 11AM – 1PM (sack lunches available), November 19th 11AM – 1PM and 5-7 PM, and December 3rd 11AM – 1PM (as inventory allows).
McCormick is excited about starting year four and the possibilities 2026 will bring. He’s looking to start online direct to consumer sales and expanding distribution into at least one additional state. He is growing his product’s name and reputation as high quality premium spirits worth having on your bar and sharing with friends and family. Please stop by to help B.H. James Distillers celebrate their accomplishments and future success.
About B.H. James Distillers:
B.H. James Distillers is a small craft distillery owned by Shawn McCormick who was born in Russellville, Kentucky with a family history going back at least five generations in Adairville and Logan County. It produces the award-winning Burton James® Uniquely American® Whiskey & Bourbon, James Lake® Vodkas, and Kentucky Grit® Whiskeys. The spirits are available to taste and purchase at the distillery’s bottle shop which is open 11 AM to 6 PM Wednesdays through Fridays and Noon to 6pm Saturdays; located at 220 W. Gallatin Street, Adairville, KY 42202. The spirits are distributed throughout Kentucky by Heritage Wine & Spirits, ask for them at your favorite retailer or restaurant. For more information visit: www.bhjamesdistillers.com.
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 whiskeys 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 10-year dream became reality on November 5, 2022.
B.H. James Distillers and Burton James® Uniquely American® Whiskey & Bourbon are the names chosen by the owner, Shawn McCormick, to honor 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’s farm in Adairville, KY and established roots in the Adairville and Logan County community. For more information visit: www.burtonjameswhiskey.com.
James LakeTM Vodka is named after the limestone spring-fed lake created by B.H. & Estelle James and others at the edge of their Adairville farm. 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. For more information visit: www.jameslakespirits.com
Kentucky Grit® Whiskeys are the whiskeys distilled by B.H. James Distillers at their distillery in Adairville, KY using as much locally grown grain as possible. Currently, all whiskeys have been made with Logan County grown Non-GMO Yellow Corn and Rye. Early batches used Cynthiana, KY grown and malted barley. Later batches used Logan County grown barley that was malted in North Carolina and returned home. Midwestern grown oats are also used as part of the mash bill.
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!
