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Kentucky Owl Batch 13 Bourbon Review

How does a legendary Master Blender say goodbye after nearly five decades? Kentucky Owl Batch #13 is John Rhea's final tribute—and we tasted every note.

OVERALL RATING

7
$400
  • Charles Steele is an attorney and whiskey enthusiast with a penchant for the peculiar.
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Tasting Notes

About:

Kentucky Owl has released Batch #13, marking the end of an era as the limited-edition bourbon represents the final blend created by retiring Master Blender John Rhea. The whiskey showcases Rhea’s nearly five decades of industry expertise in what the Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame inductee describes as his “tribute to the craftsmanship of blending.”

Rhea constructed Batch #13 by combining five different bourbons, with eight-year-old and nine-year-old barrels forming the foundation of the 56.8% ABV spirit. The blend strategically pairs mature, higher-rye bourbons that contribute richness and depth with younger wheated whiskeys that add brightness and freshness to the final product.
“During my tenure at Kentucky Owl, I’ve had the honor of sampling some of the world’s finest bourbon barrels,” said Rhea. “This juxtaposition of mature higher rye bourbons balanced with lighter wheated barrels results in a very special flavor profile that highlights each barrel’s finest notes.”

The distillery, owned by Stoli Group, continues its tradition of creating uniquely different batch releases without specific blending parameters. This approach allows each expression to stand as an individual testament to the art and science of bourbon blending.
Appearance:
Cherry wood
Nose:
Soft wheat, caramel with lovely vanilla undertones, a light salt brine and light tobacco.
Palate:
Pope smoke, earth tones of cardamom, black tea, roasted pecans and toasted oak.
Finish:
This had a watery mouthfeel with a long finish of dark chocolate, pipe smoke, carnalized sugars, building to a wonderful warmth in the chest.
Comments:
This is a lovely tribute to a master of the craft. It is spicy, warm, with sweetness of wheat whiskey many know and love. There is plenty of sugar notes mixed throughout but my taste caught the earthy tones more acutely. There were moments of bitterness no doubt from the younger whiskey, but it all built upon itself to make for a lovely sip.

This could be an easy jack-of-all trades whiskey. Something to pull out with that cigar you’ve been saving, or sitting around a wood fire at your favorite camping spot. It’s something you’ll want to share with people that matter to you. In that I think this is a great bourbon and a proper tribute.

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.

Charles Steele

Charles Steele, a Portland-based attorney, is a native of the Pacific Northwest. His legal background provides him with an analytical approach to understanding whiskey and other aged spirits. Primarily a legal writer, freelancing for The Whiskey Wash offers Charles a unique opportunity to showcase his versatility as a writer. Although his preference lies with whiskey and whiskey-based cocktails, he has a profound appreciation for all unique and unconventional liquors, from Malört to Ojen - if it's peculiar, he's intrigued.

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