This year’s King of Kentucky is sweet 16 again

October 2, 2024The Bar Belle Leave a comment

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.

KY Bourbon Fest bound? Keep an eye out for these new releases

September 13, 2024The Bar Belle Leave a comment

The sold-out Kentucky Bourbon Festival (KBF) starts today and continues through Sunday. If you are lucky to have scored tickets, here are some special new bottles to keep an eye out for. They might be at each distillery’s booth for a taste, or some might even choose to sell them there as well.

I’ll be posting from the KBF every day on the Bourbon Country social media platforms (@justaddbourbon), so be sure to follow my bourbon-soaked shenanigans. I will try and behave myself for the most part, and if you’re there on Sunday, Sept. 15, stop by the Bourbon:30 panel discussion on bourbon journalism with myself and some very cool writers in the industry. It runs from 1:30-2 p.m.

Four Roses 2024 Limited Edition Small Batch

OK, so this one will most likely NOT be at the KBF, but it is being released at the nearby Cox’s Creek Four Roses Warehouse & Bottling Facility as well as the Lawrenceburg distillery on Saturday, Sept. 14. It’s first-come, first-serve, so you’ll have to line up early. I believe they’ll start letting people in line around 3 a.m. Shoo!

This year’s release features bourbon aged 12-20 years old and is bottled at 108.2 proof and non-chill filtered. I received a media sample and can say with 100% certainty that it’s delicious and worth the time in line. I get a lot of citrus and vanilla notes from this one, as well as a lovely baked cherry note, some of that Four Roses spice, and also an underlying flavor of toffee and creme brûlée.

Maker’s Mark Cellar Aged 2024

This one WILL be for sale each morning at the KBF while supplies last. This year’s Maker’s Mark Cellar Aged release clocks in at 119.3 proof and comes from a blend of 12- and 13-year-old bourbons.

If you recall last year’s inaugural release, it’s created from taking fully mature barrels of Maker’s Mark (4-6 years old) and then relocating them inside the Maker’s cellar for extra aging. The moderate conditions inside the cellar allow the bourbon to age gracefully, and in turn, they’re not losing as much to the angels.

It’s tasty, as always, and is everything I wanted added to my standard Maker’s Mark: age and proof.

Angel’s Envy Triple Oak

For the first time in over 10 years, Angel’s Envy is adding a third bottle to its signature, everyday lineup, in the form of a Triple Oak bourbon. It’s a is a blend of whiskeys finished in three types of barrels: Hungarian Oak from Hungary, Chinkapin Oak from Kentucky, and French Oak from — you guessed it — France. It’s bottled at 92 proof.

This bottle will eventually be distributed throughout the U.S., but if you just can’t wait, it’ll be available at the Louisville distillery on Saturday, Sept. 14, as well as at the KBF that morning, too. Master Distiller Owen Martin will be at the festival as well, and I hear he’ll be doing a tasting of it on Friday. So if you’re interested, head to the AE booth and ask for details.

The Triple Oak bourbon is rich and nuanced, and I seem to taste something different every time I try it. (Full disclosure: I was given a media sample to review.) Sometimes I get milk chocolate and coffee, while other times I get a nice oak toast and cinnamon.

Booker’s Bourbon “The Reserves”

If you’re a fan of Booker’s, this release is like a “very special episode” of Booker’s. It blends bourbons that are 8-14 years old and will be released in smaller quantities because of the rare nature of these bourbons. The 2024 release spans eight production dates and eight different warehouses, and it is bottled at 125.9 proof.

I’d like to get a taste of this before I commit to buy, but deep down I know it’s going to be amazing — especially since I’ve never met a Booker I didn’t like. Hopefully I can taste it at KBF, where I’ll be stalking Freddie Noe for his country ham.

Little Book “The Infinite: Edition 1“

And speaking of Freddie Noe, he has a new Little Book release just in time for the KBF and National Bourbon Heritage Month: “The Infinite: Edition 1.” This is the first-ever brand extension from Little Book that features whiskey laid down by three generations of the Noe family: Booker, Fred and Freddie.

The whiskey ranges in age from 7-20 years old, and each is a Kentucky Straight Bourbon. It’s bottled at 119.3 proof. I haven’t tried this one yet either, but here are some details from the news release:

“Edition I: The bourbon distilled by Booker Noe lays the groundwork with notes of oak, char, and smoke. Fred Noe’s bourbon brings in rich flavors of dark fruit, cherry, and brown sweets. And it’s all rounded out with bourbon Freddie Noe made where caramel, vanilla, and spice notes really shine through. Perfectly balanced yet unlike anything made before.”

I’m hoping they’ll have both the Booker’s and Little Book at the KBF, but I don’t have confirmation. So we’ll just mosey on over there and pray for a miracle.

Other bottles to look out for …

Now that distilleries can sell bottles at the KBF, I’d say most of them will come with something special. My advice would be to head to your favorites as soon as you get in the gate and find out what they have. Heaven Hill always brings some great bourbons, as does Bardstown Bourbon Company, Green River and Lux Row.

Also, remember that the KBF has partnered with most of the distilleries involved and picked special single-barrel releases in honor of the festival. These will also be for sale at each distillery each day. So your chances of scoring a great bottle of bourbon are extremely high. Hopefully higher than the rain chances this weekend!

See you there!

five different bottles of the first DeHart Whiskey

DeHart Whiskey is a family affair

September 4, 2024The Bar Belle 1 Comment

This bottle might be a little tough to find (unless you’re in Kentucky), but don’t you love the look of it? DeHart Whiskey is a new toasted-barrel bourbon created by a Louisville-based family that shares a passion for great bourbon, art, design and fulfilling lifelong dreams.

Brothers Mike and Dan DeHart always had a dream to create their own bourbon together, and it was fodder for many Thanksgivings spent around the table talking about names, mash bills, styles, finishes, and proofs. Growing up in Louisville, they were no stranger to the whiskey industry and spent most of their adult years “researching” all types of bourbons.

Mike DeHart (middle) with Doreen (left) and Jeaneen Barnhart | Courtesy

Finally in 2019, they purchased some slightly aged bourbon barrels from MGP in Lawrencburg, Ind., and moved them to Stanford, Ky., to age gracefully among the Kentucky countryside.

Now it was time to activate the twin powers — twin sisters Doreen (Mike’s wife) and Jeaneen Barnhart — to help with the look and packaging.

Doreen is an award-winning graphic designer, while Jeaneen is a renowned equine artist in Louisville. Her artwork has appeared in television and movies, on Kentucky Derby Festival posters, and even on well-known bourbon brands like Woodford Reserve and Maker’s Mark.

Doreen got busy creating the logo and bottle design, and Jeaneen started conceptualizing an image on canvas.

The image she came up with features a sassy and sexy woman with a holster around her hips. The artist wanted a playful vibe and something that would be eye-catching on a shelf with other bottles. That goal has definitely been achieved.

The Whiskey is Frisky

As for the whiskey, I can attest to the quality and rich flavors. Full disclosure: I was invited by Doreen, Mike and Jeaneen to help write some of the tasting notes for the website, and I used it as a way to get the scoop on this new release and enjoy some great bourbon in the process. Win-win!

DeHart Whiskey is available in Louisville, Lexington, Bardstown, E-Town and Pikeville. | Courtesy

There are five different releases in DeHart’s first launch, and each is a cask-strength single barrel that was aged 7 years in new, charred oak barrels.

The bourbon was then transferred to a toasted barrel for an additional 9 months. The mash bill is 75% corn, 21% rye and 4% malted barley, and the proofs range from 108 to 112.

Mike explained that he and his brother love the toasted-bourbon category and wanted to play around with their own finishing techniques. This will be the first release of many planned, as the brothers have more inventory (and different mash bills) they’re tinkering with.

Just like fine bourbon, they’re in no hurry to flood the market with their brand. Instead, they plan on taking their time and getting it exactly right to their tastes.

Where to Find It

DeHart Whiskey is slowly trickling into local and regional liquor stores.

You should be able to find it in Bardstown, Lexington, Elizabethtown and Pikeville, and there are a handful of bars and liquor stores carrying it in Louisville as well, like Evergreen Liquors in Middletown, Neat Bourbon Bar & Bottle Shop in the Highlands, and Taste Fine Wines & Bourbons in NuLu.

Check this link for all the places you can find the whiskey, which will continue to be updated. And stay tuned for more DeHart Whiskey releases in the future. I can’t wait to see the artwork on the next one!

DeHart Whiskey retails for a suggested price of $69.99.

Bardstown Bourbon Co. adds High Wheat to its Origin Series

August 21, 2024The Bar Belle Leave a comment

Wheated bourbon fans should be rejoicing. On the horizon in that bourbon category are releases of Pappy, Maker’s Cellar Collection, Larceny Barrel Proof, maybe another Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond, etc. And now, Bardstown Bourbon Company is adding another wheated bourbon to its Origin Series roster in the form of High Wheat.

What does this mean? Well, first, let’s start with legendary Master Distiller Steve Nally and his 30+ year career at Maker’s Mark. The man worked with wheat for 30 years, so it’s a safe bet the “Wheat King” knows what he’s doing. He worked along side Head Distiller Nick Smith for this one, and the two came up with a low barrel entry proof of 108 — which I’m also a big fan of.

“Once we perfected the distillate, we focused on the aging modifications that would make this whiskey best-in-class,” Smith said in a news release. “The lower barrel entry proof of 108 pulls more wood sugars in from the onset, leading to a drinking experience that is elegant and complex.”

The mash bill on this one is 53% corn, 39% wheat and 8% malted barley, and it’s aged for a respectable 6 years. The proof is 106, also in my preferred range. It retails for $49.99.

High Wheat is definitely one of the highest percentages of wheat in the category, but there are also some craft distillers doing some fun things with the secondary grain as well. Wilderness Trail’s wheated bourbon has 24% wheat in the mash bill, for instance.

This product joins BBCo’s Origin Series, which was launched in 2023 and includes a rye whiskey, wheated bourbon and rye bourbon.

So how does it taste?

What I noticed right away is the viscosity of this bourbon as compared to the other wheated bourbon in the Origin Series (68% corn, 20% wheat, 12% malted barley). The thicker texture likely due to the low entry proof and possibly the higher wheat content — but whatever the case, it’s a delicious sip.

The nose reminds me of a Werther’s Original with a little apricot mixed in. And on the palate, the bourbon oozes with Grandma hugs. I get layers of rich caramel drizzle atop vanilla bean ice cream, milk chocolate and even some almonds sprinkled on top. The finish lingers with a little maple and brown sugar action.

One of my favorite wheated bourbons is the Weller Antique, at 7 years and 107 proof. This is 6 years and 106 proof — so we’re really not too far off from that. This could possibly become my everyday wheated sipper.

Jackie Zykan with Old Forester 117 Series

New Old Forester release, 117 Series, highlights innovation

March 23, 2021The Bar Belle Leave a comment

For the first time in its 150-year history, an Old Forester label will bear the signature of a woman! The first release in the new 117 Series will launch on Wednesday, March 24, and the mastermind behind the bottle is Old Fo Master Taster Jackie Zykan.

The inaugural release is named High Angels’ Share because it was chosen from a selection of barrels that lost exceptional volume to evaporation in the aging process. It’ll be released in 375ml bottles at 110 proof. The suggested retail price is $49.99.

The 117 Series will explore product innovation and experimentation, giving fans an opportunity to try a wide range of Old Forester’s flavor profiles. According to the news release, other 117 releases could explore selections from specific warehouses, barrel manipulations, deconstructed blends and more. Essentially, the possibilities are limitless.

“Creating the 117 Series has been a labor of love, and seeing my signature on the label is one of the highlights of my career,” said Zykan in the news release. “My mind is exploding with the endless possibilities of this smaller scale of experimentation and innovation.

“This series presents an opportunity to pull the curtain back and share the isolates of the blending process to help deepen the understanding of how variants in maturation affect flavor profile. We’re playing in uncharted territory here, and those who love Old Forester like we do will have the chance to explore with us.”

The name comes from the address of the distillery on Whiskey Row, where Old Forester was located from 1882-1919 and returned in 2018.

The bottles will be released at the distillery starting Wednesday, March 24. A limited number of tickets will be given out daily to those lining up.

The tasting notes provided included notes of dried fruit and herbaceous qualities, and from the media sample I received, I would add that it’s got that deliciously spicy zing of a snickerdoodle cookie, followed by grandma hugs of warm vanilla and a dash of hot fudge.

It’s no surprise those thirsty angels were sipping from these barrels. Simply divine.

The Bar Belle

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