Jackson Purchase to debut Kentucky-only bourbon at Bourbon Festival

Jackson Purchase Distillery will unveil Kentucky Select Bourbon at the 2026 Kentucky Bourbon Festival in Bardstown, giving in-state buyers a festival-only release while the brand expands its wider distribution. The new bottle joins three other festival offerings and highlights the Hickman-based distillery’s growing lineup.

Why it matters: - Kentucky Bourbon Festival attendees will get first access to a Kentucky-only release from Jackson Purchase Distillery. - The new bottling gives the brand an exclusive product for home-state customers even as its earlier festival release now sells online and in multiple states. - The festival lineup underscores how quickly Jackson Purchase has moved from debut to a broader market presence.

What happened: - Jackson Purchase Distillery will feature Jackson Purchase Kentucky Select Bourbon at this year’s Kentucky Bourbon Festival in Bardstown. - The new expression is reserved for Kentucky buyers. - The Hickman-based distillery first introduced Jackson Purchase Select Batch Bourbon at the 2025 festival. - Jackson Purchase Select Batch Bourbon is a 117.8-proof bourbon that carried “Batch No.1” on its festival debut. - The Select Batch release later earned two Double Platinum honors from the 2026 ASCOT Awards and a Gold Medal in its first year at the San Francisco Spirits Competition. - Jackson Purchase expanded online sales to other states in early 2026 after strong reception in Kentucky.

The details: - Master Distiller Craig Beam and Head Distiller Terry Ballard created Jackson Purchase Kentucky Select Bourbon from carefully selected barrels. - The new bourbon is bottled at 108 proof. - Beam said the goal was to highlight the bourbon’s unique flavors. - Beam described the aroma as reminiscent of banana pudding and said the whiskey brought back memories of working with his grandfather and father. - Beam also noted cinnamon, butterscotch, a hint of maple syrup and “just the right amount of spice.” - The bottle uses a blue color theme and includes the Seal of the Commonwealth of Kentucky and a nod to Kentucky history. - Festival-goers will also be able to sample and buy Jackson Purchase Bottled in Bond, Jackson Purchase Select Batch Bourbon and Jackson Purchase KBF Private Selection. - The KBF Private Selection is a cask-strength single barrel chosen by the Kentucky Bourbon Festival team. - Festival-only pricing is set at $54.99 for Bottled in Bond, $64.99 for Select Batch, $69.99 for Kentucky Select and $89.99 for KBF Private Selection. - Jackson Purchase said Beam and Ballard will autograph bottles at the festival. - Media assets are available through the company’s posted link. - More information is available on Jackson Purchase Bourbon's website. - The company also shared social links for LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.

Between the lines: - Jackson Purchase is using the festival to balance two goals: broaden its reach beyond Kentucky while keeping a special product for in-state fans. - The release also leverages the credibility of awards and festival visibility to build demand for the brand’s newer expressions. - The use of Kentucky imagery and history reinforces the bourbon’s local identity at an event built around state pride.

What's next: - Festival attendees can buy the full lineup in special packaging at the event. - The Kentucky Select Bourbon remains a Kentucky-only release for now. - Jackson Purchase will continue building around the Select Batch line, Bottled in Bond release and limited KBF Private Selection as festival traffic and interest grow.