Great-Great-Grandson of J.B. Kirk Shares Secrets of Reviving Historic Family Bourbon Brand in New Book
NASHVILLE, September 1, 2026 — Today marks the launch of National Bourbon Heritage Month and the official release of Whiskey of Tennessee — The Story of J.B. Kirk. Written by the President and great-great-grandson of J.B. Kirk, this book uncovers more than a century of hidden family secrets as it traces the modern-day journey to resurrect a historic Tennessee Spirit.
During the 1800s J.B. Kirk was a prominent whiskey distiller in Woodbury, Tennessee. He grew his own grain for his mash bill, used the limestone filtered water from his spring, and utilized the diverse Tennessee weather for his aging whiskey. It sounds simple enough, but from growing crops to aging barrels, depending on Tennessee weather is risky business. But more times than not, the volatile Tennessee climate turned out to be a hidden ally, breathing life and complexity into the barrels of aging whiskey, shaping the soul of his spirit.
The newspaper articles written about J.B. Kirk sound like tales from the Wild West: vandals at Kirk’s Distillery, murder in Kirk’s Saloon, secret deals with the Attorney General, and pardons by the Governor himself. After prohibition finally extinguished the flame producing his whiskey, it would be more than a century before his descendants would revive the brand. Whiskey of Tennessee delivers a comprehensive historical biography alongside a firsthand chronicle of how his descendants finally brought the historic brand back to life.
“This book honors a storied past that simply refused to be forgotten,” says the author. “It delivers a rare, inside look at our family history and some of the secrets that have never been shared until now.”
Whiskey of Tennessee — The Story of J.B. Kirk is available for purchase starting today on Amazon and Kindle. To secure your copy and explore the historic revival, visit the links below to be directed to the book’s page on Amazon.
– eBook: $0.99 (For a Limited Time) – https://www.amazon.com/Whiskey-Tennessee-Story-J-B-Kirk-ebook
– Paperback: $12.99 – (Available September 2, 2026)