New Kentucky bourbons to look for, including one from a country superstar
It’s finally autumn, and every bourbon lover knows what the means: New releases.
New bottles are falling into stores as thick as leaves.
Most major distillers have special annual whiskeys that come out in the fall. (September is National Bourbon Month, although isn’t every month bourbon month in Kentucky?)
And many distillers time their releases to the Kentucky Bourbon Festival, the annual September celebration in Bardstown where new bourbons often are unveiled.
But there are lots of smaller brands to look for, as well as big releases. And many will be available outside of Kentucky, too.
J. Mattingly 1845 Classic Bourbon
J. Mattingly Distillery in Frankfort has released its first flagship bourbon, called Classic Bourbon, that is a 6 1/2-year blend, bottled at 119 proof. Like all their releases, this one is “double staved,” meaning the whiskey inside the barrels has been exposed to additional charred barrel staves for more flavor and color.
According to “Whiskey Bible” author Jim Murray, who scored Classic Bourbon a 96, the result is “a real bourbon-lovers bourbon,” with a suggested retail price of $110.
This small-batch bourbon (which will be joined soon by a rye and a light whiskey) is available nationally now.
Hidden Barn Organic Bourbon
If you’ve been wondering why former Old Forester master taster Jackie Zykan has been doing since she left Brown-Forman in 2022, here you go: Hidden Barn Organic Bourbon. It’s a 6-year-old wheated bourbon, bottled at 106.2 proof. It was distilled in Michigan from certified organic grains then aged and bottled at Neeley Family Distillery in Sparta, Ky.
Tasting notes for this bourbon describe it as having a nose of buttery caramel, tart green apple and sweet orange. On the palate, it’s white pepper with a clean tobacco finish. Suggested retail price is $79.99; available online and in stores in Kentucky, Indiana, New York, California, Georgia, Colorado, Nevada and New Mexico.
Sable from Bespoken
Bespoken, the new Lexington distillery at Greyline Station that uses a rapid aging process to accelerate development, announced that it has produced a new bourbon called Sable for Harold Perrineau, Malcolm D. Lee, Morris Chestnut and Taye Diggs, who collaborated for the film “The Best Man.”
The new release, on the 25th anniversary of the film, has as nose of burnt sugar, pear compote, allspice and marzipan. On the palate, it’s mocha and dark chocolate fudge, with notes of brown sugar and an oak-forward finish, according to the tasting notes. It’s 94 proof, with a suggested retail price of $59.99, and is rolling out to retail locations across the U.S., including at the gift shop in Lexington.
Cream of Kentucky
For 2024, Cream of Kentucky, a very old bourbon revived in 2018 by former Four Roses master distillery Jim Rutledge, is bringing out two special releases, available across 35 states in on allocated basis.
The 2024 Cask Strength is 114 proof, with deep caramelized notes of toffee, oak and vanilla. It has a suggested retail price of $89.99 - $99.99.
The 2024 Small Batch, crafted under the guidance of Rutledge, is 100 proof, with a smooth blend of honeyed pome fruits, creme brulee and banana, with a soft oak finish. It has a suggested retail price of $54.99 - $69.99.
Row 94
There are a lot of celebrity whiskeys out there now, but a new one from country music superstar Dierks Bentley might have what it takes to cut through the noise.
His new ROW 94 is made at the historic Green River Distilling Co. in Owensboro, which has been impressing drinkers since it was relaunched in 2020. The distillery is now owned by Bardstown Bourbon Co.
ROW 94, which launched in September in Kentucky, Tennessee, Florida, Colorado and Arizona, also is available online at ROW94whiskey.com. More states are coming in 2025.
It’s 94 proof, with a suggested retail price of $39.99. According to the tasting notes, it has a nose of vanilla and toffee, with green apple underneath. On the palate, it’s complex, with a finish that hints of honey and tobacco.
Chicken Cock Mizunara
Chicken Cock, another old brand brought back to life, has released Mizunara, a Kentucky straight bourbon finished in rare Japanese oak. The result, according to tasting notes: Complex but sweeter, smoother flavors than American oak, with notes of sandalwood, graham cracker, butterscotch and baking spice.
The limited edition release (made from only 10 barrels, Chicken Cock’s rarest to date) is available online at chickencockwhiskey.com and through participating retailers; suggested retail price is $249.99.
2XO French Oak
Blender Dixon Dedman, who revived his family brand Kentucky Owl before it was sold to Stoli, has released sourced from Kentucky, French Oak.
This Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey was aged with chains of charred French oak inserted, to intensify maturation and elevate flavors.
The result: A palate of sweet rich caramel, coffee and cinnamon, with a mild peppery finish.
This will be an ongoing offering available nationwide and online at ReserveBar, with a suggested retail price of $49.99.
Horse Soldier Commander’s Select VI
This limited edition bourbon sourced from Kentucky is a 12-year-old high-rye barrel-proof special release. The limited edition is a tribute to the U.S. Army Green Berets who rode on horseback into northern Afghanistan in the wake of 9/11, according to the news release.
It’s 120 proof, and has a suggested retail price of $595. According to the tasting notes, it has bold rye spice notes balanced with deep caramel, vanilla and oak.
Commander’s Select is available at horsesoldierbourbon.com starting this week, as well as at select retailers.
