James B. Beam Institute launches Kentucky Wildcask Bourbon: A groundbreaking student-created bourbon brand

LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 18, 2025) — The University of Kentucky James B. Beam Institute for Kentucky Spirits (JBBI) is releasing its bourbon in April 2025. Kentucky Wildcask Bourbon will be its first distilled spirit to hit the market coming from JBBI, the world’s largest teaching distillery. Led by honorary professor and industry veteran Herb Heneman, the release is the class project of the newly created Commercialization of Distilled Spirits course.

JBBI offers a Distillation, Wine and Brewing Certificate program at UK with a focus on the production of all alcoholic beverages. This hands-on program allows students to learn about distilled spirits, winemaking and brewing science with extensive research opportunities. Within this course, Heneman is also teaching these same students how to monetize their craft.

“JBBI does a terrific job teaching students the craft behind making bourbon, but learning how to make money from it was a critical piece of the equation that was missing.” Heneman said. “The Commercialization of Distilled Spirits class was designed to fill this gap. And what better way to learn than by doing?”

Proceeds from the sales of this historic bourbon release will directly benefit JBBI students by funding scholarships, research and programming for the institute. The bourbon is projected to raise more than $100,000 for the institute.

Students participating in the course have, as a team, successfully launched a bourbon brand from start to finish. They created the brand concept, designed labels, received legal approval, visited various entities in the bourbon-making supply chain, marketed and soon will be selling their product. 

“It has been incredibly rewarding to be a part of the inaugural course and creating our own bourbon. It will be satisfying to actually bring our Kentucky Wildcask Bourbon to shelves”, said student Paulatai Sevelo. “Definitely the coolest class project I’ve ever been a part of.”

Wildcask Bourbon is a blend of three Kentucky Straight Bourbons. The backbone of the blend is an 8-year-old 13% rye bourbon contributed by Freddie Noe, eighth generation Beam master distiller and master distiller at the Fred B. Noe Distillery (JBBDCo.), making up 35% of the blend. JBBDCo.’s donated barrels are complemented by a 5-year-old 20% wheat bourbon making up 35% of the blend, and a 4.5-year-old 39% wheat bourbon making up 30% of the blend, donated by Heneman from his private stock of Bardstown Bourbon Co. liquid. The 2025 release will be bottled at 100 proof  with about 2,500 bottles available, at $54.99 per 750ml bottle.

The bourbon itself has a deep amber color with a bouquet of toffee, cinnamon and allspice aromas. It also has some floral and vegetal notes like green pepper, dill and honeysuckle. The palate is soft, yet intricate, with hints of citrus and fresh herbs on the front palate while finishing with notes of tobacco, nutmeg and dark fruits.

The course has enlisted numerous industry professionals as well as contributors to the project.

Guest speakers have so far included Noe from JBBD Co.; Dixon Dedman, founder of Kentucky Owl and 2XO Bourbon; Keisha Raspberry, UK Distinguished Young Alumni recipient and Teremana Tequila chief financial officer; Dan Callaway, Bardstown Bourbon vice president of hospitality and product development; and Susie Garvin, chief commercial officer of the Brindiamo Group. Corporate support comes from James B. Beam Distilling Company (liquid), Bardstown Bourbon Company (dry goods, bottling and compliance support), Cursive (label printing) and W. Bahan design (branding and label design).

“A journey of a thousand miles begins with one step, and the step that honorary Professor Heneman took is going to change lives and broaden the reach of the James B. Beam Institute for years to come,” said Seth DeBolt, director of JBBI and professor of horticulture at the UK Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment. “A lot of us talk about doing something, but Herb jumped in and made this project happen. I am humbled and thankful, as I know the students are, to be part of such a great class.”

Wildcask Bourbon will be available for on-site sales at the University of Kentucky through the JBBI. There will be a presale at the JBBI 2025 Industry Conference March 17-19 and attendees will be able to reserve a bottle. There is also a launch event on campus to celebrate the inaugural bourbon release where bottles will be available — time and date to be announced. Wildcask Bourbon will also be available at a limited number of Kentucky-based retailers starting in April.