Bourbon

Bourbon Review: King of Kentucky 15 Year Kentucky Straight Bourbon

We review the 15-year-old 2022 King of Kentucky release. It's one of two single casks released to commemorate the fifth anniversary of the brand's relaunch.

OVERALL RATING

8
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King of Kentucky 2022

Tasting Notes

About:

Aged for 15 years in new American oak in barrel number 14, 65.3% ABV, Mash bill undisclosed, SRP $249.99 but $2,300+ on the secondary market/ 750ml bottle.
Appearance:
This is deep golden mahogany with an orange undertone.
Nose:
A whiff of volatile acidity gives way to pungent, fruit-driven aromas of red cherries and caramel apples. The nose is fun and friendly with a sweet vanilla and toasty caramel scent. There are notes of red apples, clove, dried banana chips, and mild tobacco.
Palate:


Finish:
Comments:
The finish is persistent and offers up layers of flavors, but I’m just not convinced. The notes of vanilla and the aggressiveness of the palate detract from the enjoyment and sense of age of the whiskey. Water seems only to highlight its disjointedness. This is certainly very good, but I can’t rank this among the top in its category. Previous years’ releases are sell for ten times their initial release price online, so if you live in Kentucky, this seems like a better investment than crypto. Best of luck sourcing a bottle.

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.

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