Bourbon

Bourbon Review: Kentucky Owl Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey St. Patrick’s Edition

We review Kentucky Owl Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey St. Patrick’s Edition. It's a collab between an American and Irish blender.

OVERALL RATING

8
Like Conversation
Kentucky Owl Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey St. Patrick’s Edition (image via Suzanne Bayard)

Tasting Notes

About:

Blend of 4- to 8-year-old Kentucky Straight Bourbons, aged in new white oak, 50% ABV, mash bill: includes rye and wheat, SRP $135/ 750ml bottle.
Appearance:
This whiskey has a bold, yellow-orange color with mahogany undertones.
Nose:
This opens with pungent notes of fresh vanilla pods and golden tobacco. There’s a faint acetone note like nail polish remover or fresh paint that is not overwhelming, but might not appeal to everyone. I thought it added a nice interest. The vanilla note is strong, leading into notes like candy corn, toasted white bread, and musk.
Palate:
The heavy vanilla aroma is obvious on the palate, with notes of almond croissants, honey, and daisies. It’s smooth and oily with a sweet vanilla finish and a lingering warming sensation. The vanilla note is a bit overwhelming, bordering on cloying when neat. Over ice, it takes on a more citrusy impression, with notes of fresh lemon zest and sandalwood, though this also accentuates the tannins. My preference was for it neat, but the flexibility was a positive. I did enjoy the packaging: the label stands out with a bit of retro St Patty’s flair offset by the auburn color of the whiskey, and on closer inspection is quite detailed and lovely. Sure it’s green, but it’s not hokey in person.
Finish:
Comments:
The Kentucky Owl Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey St. Patrick’s Edition is a fun experience for those head-over-heals in love with new oak. There is no question on popping the bottle what type of vessel this whiskey was aged in. This would make a great sipper, the aftertaste is extremely pleasant, or a lovely pairing with sweet, rich pastries such as cinnamon rolls or raised donuts. This would also make a fine accompaniment to a strong cigar. The vanilla note is profound, and I imagine will be somewhat divisive. But I found myself returning to it the next evening.

Editor’s Note: This whiskey was either bought as a sample by The Whiskey Wash or provided to us as a review sample by the party behind it. Per our editorial policies, this in no way influenced the outcome of this review.

Suzanne Bayard

Suzanne Bayard struck out to the West Coast with her now husband almost a decade ago to explore the intersection of wine and policy in its world-class wine regions. She manages a Portland, OR bottle shop by day as the wine buyer and newsletter editor. She is also the Director of the Deep Roots Coalition, an organization of 30 Willamette Valley wineries that educate on and promote dry farming and sustainable practices. She joined the Whiskey Wash to explore two other passions: writing and whiskey.

All Posts

Latest On The Whiskey Wash