Editor’s Note: We received a review sample of this whiskey from the brand. However, in accordance with our editorial policies, this has not influenced the outcome of our review in any way.
15 Stars, founded by father and son whiskey blenders Rick and Ricky Johnson, has made a name since coming online in 2022. The brand has received over 100 of the world’s most coveted whiskey awards, including several “best in class” awards. Operations are managed out of Bardstown, Kentucky, where 15 Stars works with a partner distillery (likely Bardstown Bourbon Co.) to distill over a dozen different whiskey mash bills, some of which include unique specialty heirloom corn (black, red, white, and blue) that the family grows for its gourmet specialty popcorn business, Black Jewell Popcorn.
Additionally, 15 Stars maintains a stock of sourced aged whiskeys, released periodically as unique offerings. The brand’s name pays homage to Kentucky as the 15th state, with Kentucky’s recognition on the second US flag with 15 stars and 15 stripes, which was authorized by President George Washington in 1795.
What’s in the bottle
The whiskey being reviewed today, 15 Stars Three Kings Fine-Aged Whiskey Aged 11 Years, is a blend of Kentucky and Indiana-distilled brown spirits consisting of straight bourbon, rye, and wheat whiskeys 15 and 11 years old. The brand describes it as “unique” in that it is “beautifully balanced and brings forth the best qualities in each component.”
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“We believe with the release of Three Kings that this is the first time someone has ever crafted a blend like this—balancing these three whiskeys, wheat, rye, and bourbon together,” shared Ricky Johnson, co-founder of 15 Stars, when this was released. “The Three Kings expression truly exemplifies what we strive to accomplish as a brand—always innovating and thinking out of the box to create the very best tasting whiskey we can for enthusiasts across the country.”
15 Stars Three Kings is bottled at 107 proof and priced at $179.
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