James B. Beam Distilling - Bourbon Photography

This fall I had the pleasure of photographing another press tour on behalf of the James B. Beam Distilling Co.

 Bourbon distillery photography is some of my favorite work to do, so being chosen once again as the Louisville photographer for this event was quite a treat. Ever since my first time photographing the bourbon and spirits industry for The New York Times in 2009, I’ve loved the capturing the beauty of the distilling process. 

For this shoot, a group of about a dozen travel bloggers and social media influencers traveled to Louisville to tour the historic Jim Beam distillery in Clermont, Ky. I tagged along on the tour and took photos for the great folks at the Savona Communications Agency. Those in attendance were given a behind-the-scenes tour of how Jim Beam’s portfolio of bourbons are made. Each guest was also given the opportunity to follow their own bottle of Knob Creek bourbon along the bottling line and then imprint its wax seal with their thumbprints. 

All the unique light, textures, and smells of bourbon distillery photography make it one of my favorite subjects to cover. I started out photographing the bourbon and spirits industry for The New York Times in 2009. Ever since then I’ve jumped at every opportunity to capture the beauty of the distilling process. 

Following the tour we were treated to lunch at The Kitchen Table, a fantastic restaurant on the grounds of the distillery run by New Orleans’ legendary QED Hospitality Group. I spent some time photographing each dish, before they were eagerly consumed by our table. After lunch, the tour guests spent some time in the James B. Beam Distilling Co’s expansive gift shop perusing all manner of bourbon memorabilia.

At dinner time, the patio outside The Kitchen Table was transformed into an intimate reception space for dinner guests to mingle, sip their first of FIVE signature cocktails of the evening, and listen to bluegrass tunes belted out by a local trio from nearby Bardstown. The deep notes of the band’s upright bass echoed across the grounds of the distillery which were decorated with expertly carved jack-o-lanterns, gourds, and other fall-themed flora. 

Later in the evening we were welcomed by Master Distillers Fred and Freddie Noe, the father-son team behind James B. Beam’s most beloved spirits. A highlight of the evening has to be the nonstop parade of gorgeous appetizers and entrees that came out from the kitchen. Each dish was paired with a world class cocktail featuring the very best bourbon that the distillery has to offer. Having spent years being a lifestyle photographer and magazine photographer prepared me to put on my food photographer hat during dinner. The evening was truly one to remember. Chef Brian Landry, the brains behind the menu, cemented his spot high on the list of my favorite restauranteurs. The man is nothing short of a culinary genius. Don’t forget to stop by The Kitchen Table next time you’re in Clermont.