Editor’s Note: This whiskey was provided to us as a review sample by the party behind it. This in no way, per our editorial policies, influenced the final outcome of this review. It should also be noted that by clicking the buy link in this review our site receives a small referral payment which helps to support, but not influence, our editorial and other costs.
As a young whiskey reviewer, it has been my privilege to learn about the tremendous women working in the spirits industry. From trying some of the best drams Scotch has to offer by Dr. Rachel Barrie, to learning about the investments major distilleries have made to promote careers for women in whiskey, to reviewing whiskey from female led brand Milam & Greene, I have had a small window into the growing equity in a field historically dominated by men.
This is by no means isolated to whiskey personnel. Currently, women make up around 30% of bourbon/whiskey drinkers, a number which continues to grow at a rapid pace, as exemplified in my good friend Mere Smith of the Austin Scotch club who told me: “I love Scotch!” (expletives omitted).
It is then my good fortune to review the first whiskey released from Kentucky Owl by new Master Blender Maureen Robinson, in collaboration with the retiring Master Blender John Rhea: the Kentucky Owl Maighstir Edition. Ms. Robinson is a 45 year veteran of the spirits conglomerate Diageo, and one of the first women to hold the title of Master Blender. Ms. Robinson has blended well known brands such as Johnnie Walker and Singleton and was honored by the Scotch community with the award “Master of the Quaich” in October 2022, one of the highest awards in the industry.
As a huge fan of Scotch whisky, I was thrilled at the idea of a Scotch Master Blender at the helm of a premium craft bourbon brand, Kentucky Owl. Speaking on the Maighstir Edition, Ms. Robinson noted, “[o]ur latest limited edition release exemplifies the dedication of Kentucky Owl to offer Bourbon enthusiasts a glimpse into the world of Scotch whiskies…” A blend of 4, 5, 8, and 9 year-old bourbons, it “…has the citrus perfumed floral green notes with hints of sweetness and oak reminiscent of a lighter style Scotch but still keeping all the credentials of a bourbon.”
One theme Ms. Robinson hits on is the relatively narrow range of flavors typical bourbons focus on. For a category with tremendous potential for variation in finishing barrels, mash bills, temperature/location of aging barrels, bourbons consistently taste like, well, bourbon. The same cannot be said for Scotch whisky and Irish whiskey, with entries having tremendous variation in flavor, despite having (in most cases) a mash bill of 100% malted barley.
The Kentucky Owl Maighstir edition separates itself from other bourbons, mixing in more grassy and nutty notes than I encounter in most bourbons. Ms. Robinson is off to a great start.
Tasting Notes: Kentucky Owl Maighstir Edition
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Vital Stats: A blend of 4yr, 5 yr, 8yr, and 9 yr bourbon; 100 Proof (50% ABV); $150/750ml.
Appearance: Pale-orange amber.
Nose: Hints of lemongrass float in-between strong odors of toasted cedar and unroasted coffee beans. If I’m not mistaken, there is a slight medicinal note of surgical spirit, which is a common and welcome note to many Scotch whiskies.
Palate: A surprisingly light opening of fruit zest gets quickly pushed out by hefty oak and cardamom spice. Cherry blossoms and malt can be noted before the finish flattens out to bitter orange rind, roasted hazelnuts, and almonds, which lingers long after the dram is gone.
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