James Ownby Reserve Tennessee Straight Bourbon Whiskey
James Ownby Reserve Tennessee Straight Bourbon Whiskey is Ole Smoky Distillery's first premium non-moonshine whiskey, bottled at 94 proof (47% ABV) in a 750mL bottle. Aged in new charred American oak and filtered through sugar maple charcoal in the Lincoln County Process, it's a genuine Tennessee bourbon — smooth, oaky, and built for sipping neat. Named for James Ownby, the Revolutionary War veteran and Overmountain Man who is co-founder Joe Baker's 5th-generation great-grandfather. Order online from Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.
- Proof: 94 (47% ABV)
- Size: 750mL
- Style: Tennessee Straight Bourbon — new charred oak aged, Lincoln County Process charcoal-filtered
- Bottled by: Ole Smoky Distillery, Gatlinburg, Tennessee (distilled stock sourced in Tennessee)
- Launch: June 2021 — first premium whiskey from Ole Smoky; under 200 barrels in the first release
The Bourbon Behind the Name
James Ownby was an Overmountain Man who fought at the Battle of Kings Mountain in the Revolutionary War; his family settled in East Tennessee near what is now Gatlinburg. Ole Smoky launched this bourbon in June 2021 to honor him — the bottle design even carries the three stars of the Tennessee state flag. Browse more bourbon whiskey and the full Ole Smoky range.
Tasting Notes
The charcoal filtration gives it a signature Tennessee smoothness. Expect caramel and vanilla from the new charred oak, dried fruit and baking spice in the mid-palate, and a long, warming finish at 94 proof.
How to Enjoy
Neat or with a single cube to open it up. At 94 proof it also stands up beautifully in an Old Fashioned or a Tennessee-style whiskey sour.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is James Ownby?
James Ownby was a Revolutionary War veteran and Overmountain Man who fought at the Battle of Kings Mountain, and the 5th-generation great-grandfather of Ole Smoky co-founder Joe Baker.
Is James Ownby Reserve distilled by Ole Smoky?
It is bottled by Ole Smoky Distillery in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. The whiskey stock is sourced from Tennessee distilleries (undisclosed), then aged and finished by Ole Smoky.
What makes it a Tennessee whiskey?
Like all Tennessee whiskeys, it's filtered through sugar maple charcoal (the Lincoln County Process) before aging in new charred oak barrels.
Own a piece of Tennessee whiskey history — order James Ownby Reserve online from Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA.