We’re eight years into Brown-Forman’s King of Kentucky mission, and as soon as once more the age is ticking up: This single barrel bourbon now boasts a 17 12 months previous age assertion, with 63 barrels chosen by Chris Morris for inclusion within the launch. With proofs starting from 124.4 to 135, Morris picked from the 4th flooring of Warehouse J and the primary flooring of Warehouse G on the Brown-Forman Distillery. All barrels hail from two manufacturing dates in 2007. 5,000 bottles complete had been produced.
Our pattern doesn’t point out the barrel from which it was drawn, however it has a proof stage of 127.
Right here goes!
King of Kentucky Straight Bourbon 17 Years Previous (2025) Evaluation
The nostril of King of Kentucky is commonly darkish and unique, and this 12 months’s launch doesn’t break that chain. Heady with overwhelming notes of fragrance and oiled wooden, the aromatics swing from the backyard to the drawing room and again once more, immersive and dizzying — and deeper and deeper because it sits within the glass. Settling time solely amplifies the expertise, the aroma growing to disclose notes of menthol and cedar, with heavy components of tobacco, clove, and black cherry all evident.
The palate’s a gem. Wealthy and undulating, this has the austerity of a bourbon with superior age on it but in addition a stunning freshness that in some way feels younger. You’ll be able to thank the burst of fruit for that — once more, massive with cherry notes, laced with maple and spice field notes that lean onerous into cloves and ginger. Wooden stays outstanding, once more oily and polished, however with a high quality mist of sawdust hanging within the air. The darkish caramel of a daring apple pie is what lingers on the palate the longest, winding its manner effectively into the end.
The whiskey doesn’t drink scorching, however I loved it much more with a splash of water, which tempers the acute richness of the spirit and lets the fruit come by with extra class and finesse. I can’t keep in mind a time when King of Kentucky wasn’t an absolute knockout expertise, and with or with out water, this launch continues that custom. Honest warning: We’ve no management over what this value finally ends up wanting like.
127 proof as reviewed.
A / $399 [BUY IT NOW FROM FROOTBAT]
King of Kentucky Straight Bourbon 17 Years Previous (2025)
USD399
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