Built the Right Way: Inside Western Kentucky Distilling Co.’s Approach to Making Great Bourbon
In Kentucky, great bourbon has never been the result of shortcuts. It comes from experience, the right equipment, the right barrels, and warehouses that allow time and nature to shape the spirit.
At Western Kentucky Distilling Co. in Beaver Dam, those fundamentals remain the cornerstone of everything the distillery does.
The distillery operates under the guidance of 8th-generation Master Distiller Jacob Call, whose family lineage traces back to some of the earliest traditions of Kentucky whiskey making. Over the course of his career, Call has helped produce bourbons that have earned widespread recognition throughout the industry, including multiple expressions ranked among the Top 20 Whiskies in the World by Whiskey Advocate.
Today, whiskey distilled under Call’s direction can be found in over 100 bourbon brands and counting, reflecting the confidence many companies have placed in his expertise and approach to production.
“Great bourbon always starts with doing the fundamentals right,” said Call. “You can’t rush the process. Grain selection, fermentation, distillation, the barrel, and the warehouse all play a role. If you respect each step, the whiskey will speak for itself.”
Built on Traditional Distilling Equipment
Western Kentucky Distilling Co. produces its whiskey using a 36-inch Vendome Copper & Brass Works copper column still paired with a traditional copper doubler, equipment widely regarded across the industry as the gold standard for American whiskey production.
Copper remains essential to the distillation process, helping remove unwanted compounds while promoting the development of rich, layered flavor.
With this system, the distillery has the ability to produce more than 50,000 barrels of whiskey annually, while maintaining strict control over fermentation, distillation parameters, and barrel entry proof.
Every batch of distillate is monitored carefully to ensure that it meets the distillery’s quality standards before it ever enters a barrel.
The Role of the Barrel
Once the whiskey leaves the still, the next chapter of its development begins in new American oak.
Western Kentucky Distilling Co. works with leading American cooperages, sourcing charred oak barrels built to precise specifications. These cooperages supply barrels to many of the most respected distilleries in the country and play a critical role in shaping the character of bourbon as it matures.
The relationship between the spirit and the wood is where much of bourbon’s flavor ultimately develops.
Warehouses Designed for Whiskey
Equally important to bourbon’s development is the environment in which it ages.
Western Kentucky Distilling Co.’s rickhouses were purpose-built for optimal whiskey maturation, designed to maximize airflow throughout the warehouses. This allows Kentucky’s natural seasonal temperature swings to move whiskey in and out of the oak over time.
As temperatures rise during the summer months, the spirit expands into the wood. During cooler periods, it contracts back out, carrying with it color and flavor compounds extracted from the barrel.
Distillers often describe this process simply as letting the seasons “work the barrel,” and it remains one of the defining characteristics of Kentucky bourbon.
Systems Built for Consistency
Behind the scenes, the distillery maintains comprehensive production and quality documentation across every stage of whiskey making.
From fermentation monitoring and distillation parameters to barrel entry verification and warehouse tracking, each barrel is recorded and managed through detailed internal systems designed to ensure consistency throughout the aging process.
These practices reflect the operational standards required to support large-scale bourbon production while maintaining the craftsmanship expected of Kentucky whiskey.
A Commitment to the Long Game
While the American whiskey industry continues to grow rapidly, Western Kentucky Distilling Co. remains focused on the same principles that have guided Kentucky distillers for generations.
Experience. Patience. And respect for the process.
For Call, the formula has never been complicated.
“Good whiskey doesn’t happen by accident,” he said. “You need the right people, the right equipment, the right barrels, and warehouses that allow the whiskey to mature the way it’s supposed to. After that, you give it time.”
Western Kentucky Distilling Co. by the Numbers
8th generation master distiller
36-inch Vendome copper column still and copper doubler
50,000+ barrels annual production capacity
Whiskey produced for more than 100 bourbon brands
Rickhouses designed to maximize airflow and seasonal maturation cycles
About Western Kentucky Distilling Co.
Western Kentucky Distilling Co. is a Kentucky-based distillery located in Beaver Dam dedicated to producing high-quality American whiskey through traditional distilling methods and modern production capabilities. Led by 8th-generation Master Distiller Jacob Call, the distillery combines heritage craftsmanship with modern infrastructure to produce premium Kentucky bourbon for partners and brands across the industry.