Kentucky Owl Bourbon St. Patrick's Edition

Nose: Cherries, caramel, chocolate orange, shaving soap, and a musty oak. Cooked fruit, brown bread, and brown sugar. A little ethanol harshness, but still a robust and lovely nose. Palate: Very sweet with caramelized brown sugar drizzled on a bowl of maraschino cherries. Dash of citrus. Chocolate, vanilla, and mint create a nice mid-palate. Finish has some rye grain, herbs, and more mint. A little oak tannins and a mild ginger and black pepper spice. This presents many characteristics, but I believe first and foremost it's a really nice, tasty bourbon. And it deserves credit for that. However, it's also a gimmick, an awkward marketing campaign, a vanity label (perhaps), and a terrible value. This is simply not a $120 bourbon. It's likely a $55 bourbon. I think it compares favorably to the Old Forester Whiskey Row series, for example. This is probably why these were heavily discounted at Costco ahead of St. Patrick's Day, although still too expensive. If there's any chance of even steeper discounts, maybe this bottle starts to make sense, but I think it's more likely whatever cases remain will spend the next year in storage and we'll see this again next March at pretty much the same prices. _______

This is absolutely worth the $125.00 price tag. It's a smooth 12-year-old bourbon, reminiscent of Pappy, but without the biting finish found in many $100 bottles. The aroma is intriguing, featuring numerous notes of caramel, predominantly high-quality new saddle leather, with faint hints of vanilla, marzipan, and molasses. Having sampled nearly every Kentucky bourbon available, I can confidently state this is the most uncannily familiar, captivating, and undeniably the finest aroma I've encountered. This scent could easily be bottled as cologne. It encourages reflection with a subtle complexity that engages without overpowering. The initial taste is sweet, stimulating all your senses as it challenges you to identify the recognizable yet uniquely novel flavors that you're constantly on the verge of naming but can't quite grasp. The conclusion offers a warm, mild spice, akin to a sophisticated, smooth, and uncommon barbecue sauce. This is a premier bourbon, a genuine work of art, meant for collection and enjoyment. The collaboration between Kentucky Owl's Master Blender John Rhea and Irish Whiskey Bonder Louise McGuane of Jameson for this limited St. Patrick's Day release was a monumental success. To those who claim it's overhyped or not worth $125.00, I say they are pretentious posers who wouldn't distinguish between petrol and a satisfying drink. It's among the greatest to date and will be remembered as such. Full stop.

This is a non-distillery producer whose items I generally overlook. It appears they gained recognition from initial releases of very mature bourbon, but have since put out mostly overpriced young bourbon. I've recently observed these locally marked down to $60-70, yet apparently, they haven't sold well even at that price. I gambled when it was reduced to $30. I believe $30 is a reasonable cost for this. It presents as a slightly older version of Willett Pot Still. I'm unsure if the barrels originate from Willett, or if it's a mix from various Kentucky bourbon distilleries. However, the main flavors are floral, cinnamon, citrus, and light caramel. It's stated to be a blend of 4-11 year old barrels, but I suspect it's mostly in the younger range. I would have been dismayed to pay the $135-150 it originally sold for, but again, I find $30 to be a fair price for the quality, so I'm not unhappy to have this for mixing.

The nose has notes of corn, apple, and mild baking spices. The oak presence is understated, suggesting a younger spirit, while the flavor profile echoes the apple, complemented by vanilla, honey, and cinnamon sugar. There appears to be a tension between younger and older characteristics, with the cask age seeming to emerge and then recede within the blend. This isn't necessarily a drawback, but it results in a spirit that feels like a combination of several distinct whiskies rather than a unified whole. The finish has a touch of heat, concluding with a pleasant citrus note. In summary, this is a distinctive whiskey that showcases a nearly lost art of blending. Consider trying it in a Mint Julep for a refreshing drink on St. Patrick's Day.

The aroma offers caramel, brine, and a hint of vanilla. It's a standard bourbon, but not unpleasant. The taste is all caramel. Nothing else stands out. Perhaps a trace of chocolate if you search hard. Again, it's a typical bourbon, but not offensive. The finish brings brine and chocolate. Combined, they create a nice mocha. Oddly, the finish is my favorite part of this spirit. The rest of it is rather dull and a significant letdown considering the cost. I was disappointed and annoyed by KO Confiscated, and while I'm not angry this time, this bottle will be the last KO I purchase. Ever.

Super fun spontaneous find. The aroma is sweet cream and caramel. Very soft oak. Extremely welcoming. Up front smoothness. I get the caramel from the aroma in abundance. I get a little leather and molasses here too. I get a good amount of late burn, which I love, but might be a bit intense for some. The finish is great and long. Still lots of caramel and coffee. I get some tingling like Szechuan peppers. Very impressed and this is a very fun social whiskey. Great first attempt at this blend!