St. Louis Bourbon Society

Thanks Drink314 for the great article!!

They came for the bourbon. They stayed for each other. What began as a Facebook group grew into a St. Louis bourbon community built around something more lasting than a rare bottle.

SLBS Q3 SLBS Members Bottle Share – Saturday August 15th!

Sign up to join our membership and enjoy all the great events, benefits and community! www.patreon.com/stlbourbon

Once you sign up as a SLBS Member you will have access to join our bottle share and other great benefits!

What is happening at our FREE Q3 SLBS Members bottle share? Hundreds of bottles to share and sample, Welcome Cocktail, Pizza, Raffle Giveaways, Golf Simulator Contest, Old Dominick Pouring Samples and lots of Community!

Cheers!
Drew and James

What an incredible week exploring several outstanding distilleries across western Kentucky! My third and final stop was The Ingram Distillery in Columbus, Kentucky, and it was truly one of the most unique experiences I’ve had in a while. Being only 10 miles away from our family farm in Clinton Ky, I was excited about popping in for a look around while visiting family and public tours are now available. In fact, they just celebrated the ribbon-cutting back in April, 2026.

A huge thank you to Brian Shemwell, Tour Manager, and President/cofounder of the Paducah Bourbon Society for spending so much time with us walking the property, sharing the fascinating history of the distillery, and explaining the one-of-a-kind process that has made Ingram unlike any other whiskey producer in America.

If you’ve never heard of them, here’s a little background on Ingram: Founder Hank Ingram took a bold idea rooted in history and turned it into reality. Inspired by his family’s legacy on the river and days when barrels of whiskey naturally traveled the Mississippi River on their way to market, he wondered if something had been lost when bourbon left the river behind. The result? Whiskey aged entirely aboard floating barrelhouses moored on the Mississippi, where constant motion, dramatic temperature swings, and river humidity create a truly distinctive maturation process. It’s an incredible blend of history, innovation, and science. 

Of course, an idea this revolutionary wasn’t easy to bring to life. Hank and his team faced years of experimentation and significant regulatory hurdles, ultimately proving that their floating barrelhouses could legally operate as stationary aging facilities rather than vessels. It took perseverance, creativity, and a whole lot of determination, but the end result speaks for itself.

The setting couldn’t be more fitting either. Columbus, Kentucky sits along one of the most historic stretches of the Mississippi River near its confluence with the Ohio. Just up the road is the birthplace of Colonel E.H. Taylor Jr., one of bourbon’s true pioneers whose influence helped shape the bottled-in-bond standards we still enjoy today. It’s remarkable to see another chapter of bourbon history being written in the very same corner of Kentucky. My family has been in this neck of the woods for nearly 200 years and I never knew some of the wonderful history that was share during the tour.

What’s also unique is that if you’re looking for a place to stay nearby, they offer a private behind the scenes tour of the distillery along with an overnight stay at their lodge, a warm, wood filled inviting retreat that sits high up on the hill overlooking the river. The lodge has five bedrooms with either a king or a queen bed, and even offers the add-on of a private chef to cook meals for you during your stay. It really is a beautiful there and I hope to be able to come back and stay sometime. 

Thank you, Hank Ingram, for having the vision and determination to make this incredible concept a reality, and thank you again to Brian for making our visit so memorable.

We’re excited to hopefully welcome The Ingram Distillery to the St. Louis Bourbon Festival on October 9! If you see them there, make it a point to stop by, say hello, hear their story firsthand, and of course sample some of the only whiskey in America that’s truly mellowed on the Mississippi. You won’t find another distillery quite like them!

James Thomas
Cofounder, St. Louis Bourbon Society 

There are some trips that remind you just how special the bourbon industry really is, and this past week traveling through western Kentucky was definitely one of them. Seeing new distilleries start to come online in the western side of the state is a great thing to see, especially since it’s only 12 miles from my family farm in Clinton, KY! 

Our second stop brought us to Jackson Purchase Distillery in Hickman, Kentucky, where we had the pleasure of spending time with Katelan, Operations Business Manager, and Head Distiller Terry Ballard. They graciously welcomed us behind the scenes, walked us through their operation, and shared the story of how this remarkable distillery continues to grow while honoring Kentucky’s rich distilling heritage.

One thing that really stood out to me was that Jackson Purchase isn’t trying to be the flashiest or most polished distillery you’ll visit. It’s a gritty, hardworking, boots-on-the-ground operation with one primary focus: making exceptional whiskey from the ground up, their way. There are no shortcuts, just talented people, hard work, and a commitment to quality. I actually found that incredibly refreshing among the millions of brands that just slap their label on a bottle. They’re not yet open for public tours, but are working on a small tasting room to come online soon. 

It was also great hearing more about Master Distiller Craig Beam, a seventh-generation member of the legendary Beam family whose decades of experience have helped shape Kentucky whiskey, and Head Distiller Terry Ballard, whose reputation for craftsmanship and attention to detail at Willet has made him one of the industry’s most respected distillers. Together, they’ve built something truly special in western Kentucky.

A huge thank you to Katelan, Terry, Craig, Vann and the entire Jackson Purchase teSt. Louis Bourbon Festivalpitality. We truly enjoyed our visit and can’t wait to welcome you to the St. Louis Bourbon Festival on October 9!

When you’re at the festival, make sure you stop by their booth, say hello, and taste what they’re creating. I have a feeling we’re going to be hearing a lot more about Jackson Purchase Distillery in the years ahead.

James Thomas
Cofounder, St. Louis Bourbon Society 

We wanted to give a heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us for our Art of the Spirits Tasting with Founder Richard Paul as we honored the brave men of the 101st Airborne and the incredible sacrifices made by our nation's veterans. It was an unforgettable evening filled with exceptional whiskey, remarkable stories, and genuine fellowship.

Richard Paul's passion for honoring our military through Art of the Spirits, combined with Jeff Henley's deeply personal tribute to his father, Pfc. John Henley of the 101st Airborne Glider Infantry Battalion, reminded us that great bourbon has the power to bring people together while preserving the stories of those who served before us.

We hope everyone enjoyed the exclusive tasting lineup, the first opportunity to experience our commemorative 14-Year Battle of the Bulge Hazmat Rye Single Barrel, and the chance to take home one of Richard's generous bottle giveaways for our Veterans.

We were especially moved by the generosity of everyone who attended when we raised $5000 for Veteran Seal Team 6 Operator Mikey Owings to help him continue his recovery after the devastating car wreck that almost claimed his life. If you would like to make a private donation to Mikey and his recovery, here is his Venmo to do so. -Owings-6

Also thank you to Barrel Blends, World Bird Sanctuary (Bald Eagle McGuire), Freddie Johnson, Richard Paul, 101st Airborne Veteran John Pfanstiel and our team who did an amazing job last night!

Most importantly, thank you all for helping us honor the men and women who have defended our freedoms. Your attendance made this event far more than a bourbon tasting—it became an evening of remembrance, gratitude, and shared appreciation for the heroes whose courage allows us to enjoy the fellowship we cherish today.

We are grateful to Richard Paul, Jeff Henley, our team, and every guest who helped make this tribute so meaningful. We look forward to raising another glass with you soon, and until then, let us never forget those who answered the call to serve.

Cheers to Fellowship in the Spirit and to the heroes who made it possible!

Drew and James

Art of the Spirits
Barrel Blends Wine & Spirits - Bridgeton

What an incredible week exploring some of the outstanding distilleries of Western Kentucky! My first stop was Abstraction Spirits in the heart of downtown Paducah, and it set the tone for an amazing trip.

A huge thank you to Frank Dietiker and members of his team for taking the time to show us around and share their story. What makes Abstraction Spirits so unique is the way they beautifully blend two passions, crafting exceptional spirits and celebrating the creativity of art. It’s a refreshing concept, and you can see that passion reflected in everything they do.

We’re also incredibly grateful to have Abstraction Spirits as a sponsor of both Bourbon & Brews and our upcoming St. Louis Bourbon Festival on October 9. Their support helps make these events possible, and we couldn’t be more excited to have them joining us.

When you see the Abstraction Spirits team at the festival, be sure to stop by, say hello, and sample what they’re creating. And if your travels ever take you through Paducah, do yourself a favor and visit their downtown distillery. You’ll find great people, outstanding spirits, and a truly one-of-a-kind experience.

Thank you again, Frank and the entire Abstraction Spirits team, for the warm hospitality. We can’t wait to see you again in St. Louis!

-James

One of the things we love most about the St. Louis Bourbon Society is seeing our passion for great whiskey make a real difference in our community.

We were honored to take part in the Barrel King Games, where competitors competed in several events and then selected unique single barrels while raising money for charity. Thanks to Barrel King for creating such a fun event with a purpose, and an even bigger thank you to every member of the St. Louis Bourbon Society who purchased a bottle from our exclusive single barrel. More details about Barrel King games to follow. 

Because of this incredible generosity, 100% of the proceeds from our barrel were donated, resulting in a $7,238 contribution to St. Louis Children’s Hospital!

This wasn’t just another bottle, it was an opportunity to come together as a community and help children and families who need it most. Every purchase made a difference, and together we turned a shared love of bourbon into something truly meaningful.

Thank you to Barrel King for including us in this incredible event, and thank you to every SLBS member who supported the cause. We’re proud of what we accomplished together, and we can’t wait to do it again.

Cheers to great bourbon, great friends, and giving back. 🥃❤️

$7,238 is something the entire SLBS community can be proud of. Here’s to many more opportunities to enjoy great whiskey while making an even greater impact.

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