This year’s King of Kentucky release — the seventh since its relaunch in 2018 — will once again be bottled at 16 years old. It’s highly unlikely you’ll even see this bourbon unicorn on a shelf, because it disappears faster than Malört at a bartending convention.
King of Kentucky is a premium, single-barrel, ultra-aged bourbon released by Brown-Forman each year, and whiskey collectors go absolutely bananas about it — rightly so. The King is usually in my top 5 each year, and I beg Santa that he’ll deliver one under my tree. It has yet to happen, but that doesn’t mean I don’t have hope.
This year’s release is 16 years old, the same as the previous year’s iteration, and it comes from two lots of barrels distilled in 2007 (July 19, 2007 & Nov. 15, 2007). I was confused by the 2007 date, because that would make them 17 years old if they were bottled in 2024, but apparently they were bottled in 2023 — or at least put into a stainless steel holding tank, thus ending the aging process. I did ask, but it’s a little unclear.
Master Distiller Emeritus Chris Morris helped choose these barrels for the release, and he said in the news release that it’s a job he doesn’t take lightly due to the brand’s reputation.
“But reputations must not only be earned but defended,” he added. “This year’s release is sure to please the palate of every bourbon aficionado.”
A little bit more about this year’s release: Approximately 5,100 bottles were produced from 63 barrels, and they will ship out starting in October mostly to Kentucky outlets, but also 10 other lucky states (Alabama, California, Florida, Illinois, Nevada, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee, and Texas). The suggested retail price is a whopping $349.99! Ouch.
How Does the King Taste?
I received a small media sample last week and immediately opened it to try. Perhaps this is the closest I’ll get to a Christmas bottle, and I’m content with that. My sample was 130.4 proof, and these bottles can range anywhere from 125-135 proof.
This year’s seemed a little hot to me compared to previous releases. Normally these don’t drink like the high proof they are, so I had to let this one sit a while to open up.
The aroma is that wonderful banana nut bread I often get from the King, with a thick layer of caramel drizzled on top. Once I got past the heat, the palate opened up to some really complex flavors.
I get tobacco and dark chocolate; a sprinkle of baking spices, especially black pepper and nutmeg; a little citrus peel; and a plethora of oak. The finish is long, with bursts of butterscotch and brown sugar.
Having gone back to the sample several times since, it has definitely opened up more on the palate. I can’t say it’s my favorite of the King of Kentucky releases, but it’s definitely worth the hunt.