Former Kentucky Owl Founders Look To Replicate Cult Whiskey Status With Old Carter

In the world of cult whiskey success stories, the name Kentucky Owl regularly surfaces to the forefront of conversation. This bourbon brand had a long and storied history before it was revived some years back by Dixon Dedman and business partners/winemakers Mark and Sherri Carter. It most recently was sold to the parent company of Stoli, with Dedman staying on board in a brand ambassador capacity. The Carters, meanwhile, have gone on and are attempting to replicate the success with the recent introduction in Kentucky of Old Carter Rye Whiskey.

Old Carter Rye Whiskey, according to those behind it, will be released in batches, much like Kentucky Owl. Batch One is described as having a 95 percent rye mash bill. Sourced in Indiana (MGP) and bottled at a healthy cask strength of 112.2 proof, only 1,269 bottles have been produced. It is said by The Bourbon Review it is pricing for $180 but, not surprisingly, it is already kicking up some strong prices in the secondary whiskey market.

“We feel that barrel-strength is the best representation of those flavors we’re looking for,” Sherri Carter said to The Bourbon Review in a recent interview. It was noted as well a second batch of Old Carter Rye will become available later on, and that plans are reportedly in the works for a bourbon as well.

Whether or not the Carters can replicate the success of Kentucky Owl with their new Old Carter label remains to be seen. It took sometime for the former to get to the status it was, and it was being done through bourbon versus rye whiskey, but I imagine if they are patient enough and have luck sourcing sold barrels of whiskey like in the Owl days they will ultimately have another winner on their hands.