History

My great-great-grandfather, Burton Hulon (B.H.) James, played professional baseball from 1908 to 1919, before moving to Adairville, KY to raise his family. 100 years later, inspired by his legacy, I returned to Adairville with the dream of opening a distillery in his name.

BH James Distillers launched three brands in the fall of 2022: Burton James Uniquely American Whiskey, James Lake Botanical Spirits and Kentucky Grit Whiskey. Phase 1 of the construction in the old fire station is completed, and bottling and packaging operations began in fall 2022. Phase 2 includes the installation of an 800-gallon distillation system and the establishment of a tasting room and a bar, planned for Winter 2023.

Awards: Burton James Batch 1 and Batch 2 have won several medals at international competitions in 2023, and Burton James Batch 3 as well as Kentucky Grit have also received recognition. The distillery emphasizes telling an authentic American whiskey story through locally rooted products and craftsmanship.

Production / Manufacturing

The distillery is located in the old fire station in Adairville. Phase 1 is completed, bottling and packaging began in fall 2022. The planned Phase 2 includes the installation of an 800-gallon distillation system and the establishment of a tasting room and a bar (expected winter 2023).

Kentucky Grit Corn Whiskey is made with 81% locally grown Non-GMO corn, 10% local rye, 5% locally malted barley, and 4% Midwest oats, and is available as Unaged and as a 6-month aged variant.

Products / Whisky Series

• Burton James Bourbon – Uniquely American Whiskey: A blend of 3 bourbon mash bills from 2 states. Batch One (Opener), Batch Two (Batter Up), Batch Three (Fireman), Batch Four (Clean-Up Hitter), Batch Five (Five Tool Player), Batch Six (Texas Leaguer) Coming Soon, Batch Seven (Sweet Spot) Coming Soon.
• Kentucky Grit Corn Whiskey – Unaged and Aged 6 Months.
• James Lake Spirits (Vodka) – Small Batch Crafted: Citrus Solstice, Tangerine Dream, Summer Berries, Crisp Cucumber.

Visits / Experiences

We can be reached in Adairville, KY. Visit us at the old fire station, where there is a Bottle Shop where you can taste and buy our products. Address: 220 W. Gallatin St., Adairville, KY 42202. Distillery Hours: Wednesday–Friday 11:00–18:00; Saturday 12:00–18:00. Phone: 270-893-8575. Note age limits and ID required for tasting.

Philosophy

We focus on local involvement and sustainability: grain grown in Logan County by local farmers (non-GMO corn, rye and barley). James Lake bottles are made from 100% recycled glass with about 27% less energy than using virgin glass and reduced CO2 emissions. The distillery is run with love and Kentucky-style hospitality, and the products are produced in a locally rooted community.