King of Kentucky, a super-premium Kentucky straight bourbon, is returning this year with the release of its fifth edition for 2022. Hitting shelves sometime in August, two limited-edition expressions will be available to mark the fifth anniversary for the brand since its reintroduction.
The first expression is an extremely limited 18-year old Kentucky Straight Bourbon, featuring an embossed label with a gold-foiled stamp border and gold details. Yielding only 250 bottles this release will carry a suggested retail price of $349.99. Additionally, the 18-year-old expression will be exclusive to the Kentucky market.
The second expression is a 15-year old Kentucky Straight Bourbon, featuring a premium embossed label with a stamp border and details. Approximately 3,500 bottles will be produced with a suggested retail of $249.99. While the majority of this year’s volume will remain in Kentucky, the expression will also be available in limited quantities in Illinois and Ohio.
King of Kentucky was established in 1881 as a Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. Brown-Forman acquired the brand in 1936 from Selected Kentucky Distillers and, by 1940, converted it to a blended whiskey until it was discontinued in 1968.
In 2018, Brown-Forman revived the label paying homage to the brand’s past. “We are excited to celebrate the fifth year of the King of Kentucky brand with the return of two special expressions,” said Master Distiller Chris Morris. “This brand demonstrates Brown-Forman’s commitment to and expertise in the growing American Whiskey category.”
King of Kentucky advertisement
King of Kentucky is an annual release of a single barrel inventory featuring a barrel-strength, minimally filtered proof presentation, with each release and every barrel being unique. For this year’s iteration, Master Distiller Chris Morris chose two lots of barrels to set aside for the limited-release product; one from 2004, the second from 2006.
Brown Forman Master Distiller, Chris Morris
“This year’s releases come from two production days, two years apart,” said Morris. “This showcases what a difference two years at these extreme ages make on the color, flavor, and aroma of this wonderful whiskey.”
King of Kentucky Anniversary Release
Name: King of Kentucky – 18 Year – “Representative Barrel”
Producer: Brown-Forman (DSP-KY-414)
Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Style: Single Barrel, Non-chill filtered
Proof: 130.3 | 65.15% abv
Age: 18 years old
Format: 750ml
Aroma: Rich molasses, dark caramel and aged honeycomb are brightened with hints of tea leaf and ripe tree fruit.
Flavor: Baked spiced tree fruit, molasses and sharp dark tea.
King of Kentucky 2022 Release
Name: King of Kentucky 2022 Release “Representative Barrel”
Producer: Brown-Forman (DSP-KY-414)
Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Style: Single Barrel, Non-chill filtered
Proof: 130.6
Age: 15 years
Format: 750ml
Aroma: Notes of dark sorghum, resinous oak and honey top a medley of dried fruit and rich cigar tobacco.
Flavor: Robust oak spices, dried fruit and sorghum.
Due to the rarity of these barrels, there is no defined annual volume. Just like the extra time it takes for the liquid to mature; King of Kentucky’s package shows a personal craftsmanship.
Every bottle comes enclosed in a decorative tin canister and tells the story of its origin through the details on the front and back of its package. All are filled, bottled, wax-dipped, and numbered by hand with details including proof, age, warehouse location, lot number, serial number, and barrel number, all selected by Master Distiller Chris Morris.
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