“This is often to showcase and mirror on all of our models, to indicate we’re a significant-high quality spirits output firm. If it’s the release that carries the Brown-Forman name, it has to be of particularly premium quality.”
Hayley Hamilton Cogill/Tasting Desk The eighth edition of King of Kentucky has a mash bill of 79% corn, 11% rye, and ten% malted barley, the identical Brown-Forman has used in past editions on the spirit. The impact of the charred new oak barrels is obvious through the entire sample, as aging liquor in oak imparts several traits in the spirit, such as smoke, spice, fruit, and confectionary notes, which happen to be intensified by varying degrees of barrel toasting and charring.
This could be a last vacation resort alternative. With a few persistence and luck, you might be able to search out this distinctive bourbon. But endurance and an open price range make the research much simpler.
I currently stated that the very first launch of King of Kentucky was aged for 14 a long time and came from Warehouse K. The subsequent two a long time of King of Kentucky used exactly the same warehouse (albeit from unique floors). But in 2021, Brown-Forman improved it up and pulled barrels from Warehouse I. In 2022 they pulled barrels from Warehouse H. 2023 saw the warehouse change another time to Warehouse G.
Just a confined range of barrels are chosen by Brown-Forman’s Grasp Distiller with the King of Kentucky releases. This scarcity and mindful barrel collection are explanation why it’s so uncommon and priced in the extremely-quality stage.
Normally, I’m just splitting hairs and wanting to find fault With this amazing bourbon. There really isn't any want for your score on this one, but I've to help keep up with custom.
Hayley Hamilton Cogill/Tasting Table There are several errors you can make when drinking bourbon, notably if You're not accustomed to drinking substantial-conclusion, superior-proof liquors.
This 12 months’s King of Kentucky is an easy pour, but that doesn’t necessarily mean It really is very simple or lacking in complexity. Whilst it isn't going to characteristic any extremely special taste notes, it’s also not a difficult pour that requires effort to find out its virtues. A single sip or scent and you simply right away “get” this bourbon.
Brown-Forman specifies The placement and warehouse on the barrels for yearly's release; noting this is important, because the environment will have an affect on the final attributes of your liquor In the barrels. Brown-Forman's heat-cycled warehouses maintain temperatures regulated, even through the chilly winter months, guaranteeing king of kentucky bourbon a continuing, constant growing old. Morris selected two places and warehouses for your barrels for this yr's release: the fourth floor of Warehouse J, where by the liquor has a mean proof of 130.
It’s missing this telltale Wooden varnish Observe that I often seem to uncover with bourbon aged of their heat-cycled warehouses. The odd element is, I’m Pretty much constructive this barrel (and another KoKs for this calendar year) noticed heat-biking sooner or later within their maturation. So what happened to it? I’m not sure, but it really enables lighter flavors and a number of the rye notes to reveal by themselves. It’s various, but in all the ideal techniques possible.
There are many King of Kentucky aficionados on the market who I’ve talked to who assert which the 2022 and 2023 versions are losing their luster when compared to earlier releases. They point out the increase in barrels and bottles and correlate that into a watering-down of your manufacturer.
” It is a huge talk, but Once more, the bourbon speaks for itself. The barrels for this calendar year’s release ended up pulled from your fourth flooring of Warehouse J and the primary flooring of Warehouse G, and ranged in proof from 124.five to one hundred thirty five. The total generate for this 12 months’s release was five,000 bottles, which, though however compact, is bigger when compared with several of the releases in many years earlier.
Aroma: Abundant oak with rigorous darkish chocolate and burnt caramel sweetness balanced with fresh leather and spearmint spice notes atop levels of tropical fruit (banana, pineapple, citrus).
It’s also the oldest product Brown-Forman has at any time place out. I'd mention that dependant on flavor on your own, this easily tops all new Unique releases from Heaven Hill, Beam (Despite the fact that I do really like me some Frankfort Hardin’s Creek), Maker’s Mark, Willett and perhaps Considerably of your BTAC line. That’s no uncomplicated feat. It’s with that each one in your mind which i say Even though you’re within the camp the 2023 King of Kentucky isn’t as Particular as prior releases, it had been nevertheless Specific to me. And this can continue on to get the top bottle I hope I can discover (or a minimum of flavor) annually.
Brown-Forman Grasp Distiller Emeritus Chris Morris claims inside of a press release shared with Tasting Table that the bourbon is definitely the "supreme expression of yankee whiskey — a Daring, sturdy bourbon that has been aged to perfection." To validate if his statements are accurate and decide In the event the bourbon is worthy of investing a handful of hundred pounds, I acquired a sample from your distillery to conduct a taste take a look at. I used my schooling and abilities as being a skilled Licensed sommelier with around twenty years of encounter inside the wine and spirits area, coupled with my palate for a longtime bourbon lover, to help you me examine the spirit. Here's the effects.