364: Inside James B. Beam Distilling Co. and Hardin's Creek with Alex Bowie

In this episode of The Bourbon Lens Podcast, Jake and Scott travel to Clermont, Kentucky to sit down with Alex Bowie, Director of Homeplace Experiences at the James B. Beam Distilling Co. The conversation was recorded on location in Beam's brand-new podcast studio, with Bourbon Lens receiving early access to the space for an exclusive insider look.

While working through a few first-day kinks in the new studio, Jake and Scott explore what makes the Beam Homeplace experience unique and dive into the current and upcoming whiskey innovations coming out of the James B. Beam Distilling Co. Alex shares insight into how Beam approaches storytelling, hospitality, and innovation while honoring generations of bourbon-making tradition.

A major focus of the episode is the debut of the Hardin's Creek Warehouse Series, a new limited collection designed to showcase how different warehouse environments shape bourbon flavor. The discussion breaks down how rickhouse design, height, and microclimate influence maturation—even when all other production variables remain the same.

The episode wraps with a look at Beam's newly announced partnership with the Cadillac Formula One Team, set to debut during Cadillac's inaugural 2026 F1 season, highlighting Beam's expanding global presence and crossover into motorsports culture.

Hardin's Creek Warehouse Series: Release Details

A New Chapter in Hardin's Creek Innovation

The Hardin's Creek Warehouse Series is a limited, three-part collection that builds on the brand's experimental roots. Following the 2023 Kentucky Series—which explored terroir across multiple Beam campuses—this release isolates a single variable: the warehouse itself. Each bourbon uses the same mash bill and production process, allowing the aging environment to take center stage.

As Freddie Noe, Eighth Generation Master Distiller at the James B. Beam Distilling Co., explains, the Warehouse Series demonstrates how maturation environments alone can dramatically shape flavor.

The Three Warehouse Expressions

Warehouse R – "The Mushroom"

• Aged in a single-story, windowless warehouse

• Cool, dark conditions similar to a forest floor

• Flavor profile emphasizes deep oak influence and toasted sweetness

• 55% ABV (110 proof), 11 years old

Warehouse W – "The Beaver"

• Aged in a nearly 100-year-old, five-story rickhouse near a creek

• Produces a balanced bourbon with lighter oak smoke and depth

• 55% ABV (110 proof), 11 years old

Warehouse G – "The Owl"

• Aged in a towering nine-story warehouse

• Results in layered aromatics and increased complexity

• 55% ABV (110 proof), 11 years old

Each bottle features artwork by surrealist artist Max Loeffler, using symbolic characters and hidden design elements to tell the story of each warehouse environment.

• SRP: $149.99 per 700mL bottle

• Availability: Limited, select markets

 

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Scott & Jake
Bourbon Lens