Our Story

Origins & Inspiration

Nighthawks Bourbon was born out of a 15-year friendship between Jamey Whetstone and Roy Milner. The two first crossed paths at Blackberry Farm, where a shared love of food, drink, and conversation quickly grew into a relationship rooted in travel, family, and business.

For nearly a decade, Jamey and Roy talked about launching something together in bourbon or tequila. They had hosted countless dinners, parties, and late-night gatherings over the years, always leaning into the magic that happens when people come together around good food, music, and drink. When a mutual friend introduced them to a special set of bourbon barrels, the timing felt right. The project they had been waiting for had arrived.

The name Nighthawks came naturally, born under a full moon one night while floating in the pool, long past midnight. Laughing, Jamey remarked, “Anybody who says nothing good happens after midnight has clearly never hung out with us.” In that moment, the spirit of the brand was set.

Not long after, while on the road selling other wines and whiskies, they kept stumbling across lounges, theaters, and bars with the word “Nighthawks” in the name. Combined with their love of art, music, and the mysterious bird itself, the name felt destined.

Blending Philosophy & Style

At its core, Nighthawks Bourbon is about discovery and relationships. Roy’s deep connections with brokers allow him to uncover rare “lots” of barrels that carry a unique fingerprint. For this release, they wanted something approachable to everyone but with enough depth to satisfy seasoned bourbon fans.

The whiskey is a 4–5 year-old high-rye bourbon, crafted with sweet mash fermentation and aged in level 3 new charred oak barrels. The mash bill combines corn, rye, and barley for a balance of richness and spice.

On the palate, Nighthawks opens with honeyed sweetness and fruit-forward tones, finishing with a smooth, mellow spice. It’s equally at home neat by the fire, on the rocks after a long day, or mixed into a cocktail at a crowded bar.

Vision & Purpose

Nighthawks is more than a bottle, it’s a statement. The goal isn’t extravagant packaging or overhyped storytelling. It’s about honest bourbon at a fair price, built with integrity and meant to be shared.

Drinking Nighthawks should feel like supporting the underdog. It calls back to a time when brands were built on trust and quality—like Levi’s, Filson, Stetson, or STP. This bourbon is for everyone: the biker and the banker, the dive bar and the cocktail bar. An independent spirit for independent spirits.

The nighthawk bird itself carries deep native lore—mysterious, rarely seen, often only heard by the whoosh of its wings at dawn or dusk. That sense of mystery and presence carries into the brand.

Jamey and Roy also draw inspiration from songwriter Townes Van Zandt, whose song To Live’s To Fly serves as both a metaphor and a guiding philosophy. On every bottle, you’ll find the words:

TO LIVE. TO FLY.

It’s a reminder to embrace adventure, lean into curiosity, and cherish the nights that stretch until sunrise. Truly about connecting. Real conversations about family, friendship, and life itself. That’s the spirit of Nighthawks Bourbon.