Whereas 30 yr bourbon isn’t precisely a novel idea, it’s exceedingly uncommon. Up to now few a long time, solely a handful of manufacturers have bottled bourbon that’s hit or eclipsed the three-decade mark, amongst them Last Reserve (45 and 42 Years), Redemption Whiskey (36 Years), I.W. Harper (34 Years), and Jefferson’s Bourbon (30 Years). So whereas a 30 yr bourbon doesn’t set up any new information per se, it’s definitely unusual sufficient to elicit dialogue.
Such is the case with Blade and Bow’s new hyper-aged whiskey, a 30 yr previous Kentucky Straight bourbon. The discharge was curated and blended by Nicole Austin, Diageo’s Director of American Whiskey Liquid Improvement and Capabilities. Housed on the web site of the historic Stitzel-Weller Distillery exterior Louisville, the whiskey comes from Blade and Bow’s aged shares, which till not too long ago boasted round 100 barrels over 30 years previous. A while throughout their prolonged maturation cycle, the shares have been consolidated, with partially stuffed barrels topped off utilizing liquid from sister casks. Of those, Austin chosen 42 for this 30 yr mix, all of which have been initially laid down in 1993 and dumped in 2023.
My colleague Jacob Kiper has gone in depth on this launch’s background and potential sources, and his analysis included a prolonged dialogue with Austin herself. We do know that whereas the barrels spent a major interval in Stitzel-Weller warehouses, the whiskey itself was not distilled there. We additionally know the mashbill contained no wheat, simply the extra normal trio of corn, rye, and malted barley. Finally, the bourbon’s distillery of origin and mashbill stay undisclosed; certainly, primarily based on Jacob’s deep dive, it’s cheap to assume Diageo might not know the precise recipe.
The 30 yr marks the oldest-ever launch from Blade and Bow, however notably not the oldest from Diageo’s North American portfolio. That honor goes to the aforementioned 34 yr I.W. Harper, which was launched earlier in 2025 by way of Sotheby’s public sale.
Austin proofed this ultimate mix to 54.5% abv, and the whiskey was bottled with out chill filtration. The steered retail value is $1,200. Bottles can be found at choose retailers nationwide, together with the Stitzel-Weller Distillery, which can solely promote one bottle per day whereas provides final. Particular person pours are additionally obtainable on the adjoining Backyard & Gun Membership bar for $225 every.
Let’s see the way it tastes.
Blade and Bow Kentucky Straight Bourbon 30 Years Outdated Overview
The nostril begins on concurrently vibrant, fruity, spicy, and oaky notes, and it’s hardly as woody as one may anticipate from a bourbon of this maturity. (Then once more, how usually are we actually nosing 30 year-old bourbon?) After a couple of sniffs, aromas proceed in one thing akin to sequential acts. Candied grapefruit peel and pickled ginger hit the nostrils first, shortly adopted by sweeter notes together with creme caramel, treacle, and molten chocolate ganache. Up subsequent is closely spiced cranberry sauce, which supplies a darkly fruity segue between confectionary smells and wealthy, sturdy wooden. Oak — syrupy, dried, however not notably tannic — takes the reins from right here on out, punctuated by mild reminders of citrus and berries.
I believed the nostril was surprisingly upbeat, however the first sip is nearly shockingly fruity, if on the darkish aspect of that taste quadrant. A medley of figs, dates, prunes, and blackberry preserves coat the tongue, whereas cooling menthol lingers alongside the higher palate. Black walnut oil and vanilla extract construct alongside the midpalate, which is way much less candy and chocolatey than the nostril steered. As a substitute, toasted cardamom pods, dried saffron, and tangy sumac are buoyed by mild touches of caramel and molasses. Oak tannins spherical out the again palate, with flavors bordering on black tea and semi-sweet chocolate.
The end is probably the most oak-forward a part of the sip, and till then, it’s virtually straightforward to neglect how previous this bourbon actually is. Semi-sweet chocolate, unsweetened mint tea, and gentian root contribute to an amaro-like ultimate act that waffles between refined sweetness and invitingly bitter notes.
This bourbon’s pedigree is up for dialogue. In my thoughts, the sipping expertise itself possible warrants much less in the way in which of debate. Blade and Bow 30 12 months is an elegantly matured whiskey, bottled at a proof level that showcases the trimmings of age with only a few of the drawbacks.
109 proof.
A / $1200 [BUY IT NOW FROM FROOTBAT]
Blade and Bow Kentucky Straight Bourbon 30 Years Outdated
USD1200
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