News Summary
The University of Kentucky’s James B. Beam Institute for Kentucky Spirits is excited to announce the release of Kentucky Wildcask Bourbon in April 2025. This new bourbon is the result of a unique collaboration from a student project in the Commercialization of Distilled Spirits course, offering students hands-on experience in creating a marketable product. The bourbon, crafted from a blend of three Kentucky Straight Bourbons, aims to support scholarships and research through its sales, showcasing the intersection of education and the bourbon industry.
Lexington, Kentucky – The James B. Beam Institute for Kentucky Spirits (JBBI) at the University of Kentucky is set to release its inaugural bourbon, Kentucky Wildcask Bourbon, in April 2025. This new bourbon signifies a noteworthy collaboration between education and the distilled spirits industry, arising from a unique class project in the recently established Commercialization of Distilled Spirits course.
This course, guided by honorary professor Herb Heneman, an experienced veteran in the bourbon industry, allows students to engage hands-on in the creation of a marketable product. The result of their efforts, Kentucky Wildcask Bourbon, is a carefully crafted blend of three authentic Kentucky Straight Bourbons.
Bourbon Composition and Release Details
The foundation of Kentucky Wildcask Bourbon is an 8-year-old high-rye bourbon, generously donated by Freddie Noe, the eighth-generation Beam Master Distiller at the Fred B. Noe Distillery. This base bourbon is skillfully complemented by a 5-year-old wheated bourbon alongside a 4.5-year-old wheated bourbon, both sourced from Heneman’s personal reserves at Bardstown Bourbon Company.
The bourbon, once released, will be bottled at 100 proof and is expected to be available in approximately 2,500 bottles, priced at $54.99 per 750ml bottle. Initially, the release will be sold on-site at the University of Kentucky and through select retailers across Kentucky starting in April 2025. The specific event details for the campus launch will be announced shortly.
Impacts of Sales and Educational Opportunities
Proceeds from the sales of Kentucky Wildcask Bourbon are anticipated to be significant, with projections exceeding $100,000 directed towards supporting scholarships, research, and programming at the JBBI. This innovative course not only fills an educational void in the bourbon industry but also provides students with practical experience in monetizing their craft, covering areas including branding, legal approvals, and marketing.
Students have played a vital role in transforming the concept of Kentucky Wildcask Bourbon into a tangible product. They were actively involved in every stage of the development process, from realizing the brand’s vision to managing its sale.
Tasting Notes and Anticipated Flavor Profile
Kentucky Wildcask Bourbon promises a complex flavor profile, featuring tasting notes that include toffee, cinnamon, and allspice, enhanced by floral undertones and herbaceous notes such as green pepper and honeysuckle. On the palate, drinkers can expect hints of citrus and fresh herbs, concluding with a rich finish of tobacco, nutmeg, and dark fruits.
Further Educational Initiatives and Community Involvement
The James B. Beam Institute for Kentucky Spirits also offers a Distillation, Wine, and Brewing Certificate program aimed at educating individuals about the production of alcoholic beverages. Alongside this initiative, the Kentucky Wildcask Bourbon project has benefitted from contributions by various industry professionals who have served as guest speakers and advisors. The project also received corporate support from several partners in the bourbon industry.
Additionally, a pre-sale opportunity for Kentucky Wildcask Bourbon is planned at the JBBI 2025 Industry Conference, scheduled to take place from March 17-19, 2025. This pre-sale will provide attendees with exclusive early access to purchase the bourbon ahead of its official launch.
The combination of academic learning and professional practice in the Kentucky Wildcask Bourbon project stands as a testament to the ongoing commitment of the James B. Beam Institute to cultivate the next generation of leaders in the beverage industry.
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Additional Resources
- Smiley Pete: University of Kentucky Beam Institute Launches Kentucky Wildcask Bourbon
- Lexington Herald-Leader: Kentucky Wildcask Bourbon Launch
- The Whiskey Wash: UK Beam Institute Students Launch Kentucky Wildcask Bourbon
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Bourbon
- The Whiskey Wash: Whiskey Review of Kentucky Peerless Toasted Bourbon Batch 2
