Jackson Purchase Bourbon Review: A 4-Yr Full Proof Surprise

BOTTLE DETAILS

• DISTILLER: Jackson Purchase Distillery
• MASH BILL: 70% Corn | 20% Rye | 10% Malted Barley
• AGE: 4 years
• YEAR: 2025
• PROOF: 117.8 (58.9% ABV)
• MSRP: $75
• BUY ONLINE: Jackson Purchase Bottle Shop

STEVE'S NOTES

SHARE WITH: People who love a bold bourbon that's a sleeper. Pour this for others without telling them a thing, and as they smile and start praising it, prod them to guess its age. When they guess–as many do–that it's somewhere between 6 and 8 years old, watch their expressions when you tell them it's just 4.

WORTH THE PRICE: Absolutely.

BOTTLE, BAR OR BUST: Bottles. Yes, plural.

OVERALL: Part of this job involves attending release parties/events, and the vast majority are fun. There, I see a lot of reporter peers and friends, the distillery team is keyed up and excited, and you get to drink new whiskey in the middle of the day.

Experience has taught me that some release events are guaranteed fun, but I didn't know what to expect when Jackson Purchase Distillery trotted out its first bourbon this past summer. I knew Craig Beam, its master distiller, who'd served alongside his father, Parker Beam, at Heaven Hill for 35 years, and I'd heard of Craig's assistant master distiller, Terry Ballard, a veteran of Willett Distillery. Strong whiskey creds for sure, but since the proof is literally in the bottle, I had to wonder whether this combo would make a good one.

Part of Jackson Purchase's mystery is it's a distillery the press doesn't often get invited to–yet anyway. Its location in Hickman is so far into Western Kentucky that it's almost in Missouri. You don't just stumble upon Hickman; you have to want to go there. And if you do intend to go to Jackson Purchase Distillery, don't expect a visitor experience. It was intended at the outset to be a contract distillery that wouldn't produce its own brands. But as Beam said at the presser, too many contract partners who'd been tasting JP's whiskey as it aged urged them make more and bottle some under its own name. Eventually, the distillery's capacity was doubled with the addition of a second still.

To shorten this rambling recollection, when we got to taste it, it took only a couple of sips before my mind shifted to, "This? This is what's coming out of Jackson Purchase?"

The bourbon is rich, coating, chocolatey and unusually dark in the glass for a 4-year-old. Beam said that many who don't know its age guess it's 6 to 8 years old, given its depth and complexity.

Beam attributes that mature presentation to the heat of Western Kentucky, where temps average at least 4 degrees warmer on average than in the Central Kentucky heart of Bourbon Country. Logically, higher heat increases wood extraction. He also believes its location atop a large and high-quality limestone aquifer plays a big role in the flavor of its bourbon.

So, that's his take, and here's what I know: The nose is huge, deep notes of fire-roasted corn, toasted rye bread, charcoal embers and cocoa nibs arrest not only your nostrils, but your thoughts about what's in this glass. If you know the age beforehand, you can't believe it's this young. This whiskey is so solid and complex–on the nose alone–that you can't raise the bar of expectations on it quickly enough to anticipate the palate ...

... which is laden with dark chocolate, golden raisins, dried orange, toasted rye bread, Nutella, chocolate ganache and charred oak. (You get the idea that this is chocolatey?) This isn't just dessert in a glass, it's dessert served with a restrained uppercut to the chin: i.e. a bold proof that doesn't blow out your palate. The choice to stop at precisely 117.8 is clearly deliberate and likely a credit to those distillers' skills. It's hard to beat bourbon this good, but it's freakishly hard to beat it at 4 years of age and for this price.

That this was one of my favorite whiskies of 2025 surely annoys Chris Zaborowski (read about him below), who is a longtime industry friend and helped launch the brand. As he pinged me occasionally over the last several months to ask when the review was coming out, I admit that I also wondered why I'd delayed it. Maybe something inside me thought, "Surely this is too good to be true," and so I procrastinated on doing it. But it is that good. And, sorry, Chris, for dragging my heels, but a review queue stuffed with bottles didn't help. 😬

In my work for the Kentucky Bourbon Festival, I pick a lot of single barrels for our Distillers' Row selection, so people ask me every year before the event, "What bottle should I buy first?" I'm generally no help since I know nothing about what rare bottles distilleries are bringing, but knowing Jackson Purchase was exhibiting, and that they had only one release, I told them to start there. When all doubted my recommendation to get one, I told them, "Trust me, you'll love it. Just go and taste it."

I don't know if anyone followed my advice, but I heard back from many others who sampled JPD's bourbon and described as surprisingly good to outstanding. In the weeks since that event, I still get random texts from friends saying, "I didn't want to believe you, but you were right!"

I don't recall tasting or reviewing an American whiskey this good at 4 years old. If I were to choose a bottle as the best new market entry in 2025, it would be in the running. This is not just surprisingly good, it's outstanding.

BRAND NOTES

The following tasting notes were written by Chris Zaborowski, a longtime wine and spirits salesman who created Westport Whiskey & Wine, one of the best liquor stores in Louisville, Ky. He assisted in the final steps of producing Jackson Purchase Distillery's first bourbon release.

The burst of flavors continues to unfold with each sip. The initial cherry and caramel sweetness is complemented by the gentle warmth of bananas, creating a rich and inviting profile. As the bourbon coats the palate, hints of cinnamon with a touch of vanilla emerge, adding a layer of spice that balances the sweetness to perfection. 

The aroma is a delightful medley that captures the essence of the bourbon – a sweet bouquet of fruits combined with warm baking spices. The oak influence is subtle yet present, providing a foundation that supports the other flavors without overpowering them.

As the bourbon settles, the finish lingers softly, leaving a nice warmth that invites another sip. The combination of sweet and spicy elements ensures that this bourbon is not only enjoyable neat but also versatile enough to elevate classic cocktails. Although neat would be my way of enjoying!

Disclaimer: Bourbon & Banter received a sample of this product from the brand for review. We appreciate their willingness to allow us to review their products with no strings attached. Thank you.