King of Kentucky 15 Year Bourbon (2022 Release)

I've searched for a King of Kentucky (KoK) for three years, but either arrived too late or found the pour price to be an unacceptable percentage of the MSRP. My quest persisted until a chance encounter with a fellow bourbon enthusiast at a bar. He directed us to a place offering KoK at a price within my limits. Excited, we hurried there and discovered not just one, but a 14, 15, and 18-year-old version available. We decided to taste all three side-by-side to determine the ultimate King of the KoKs. The 14-year-old presented a moderately rich aroma with subtle dusty oak complementing sweet candy and creamy citrus, all in balance. The alcohol content felt surprisingly subdued for its high proof. The taste mirrored the nose, with good balance and mild spice, leading to a medium-long sweet and slightly spicy finish. Score: 4.25 Next, the 15-year-old offered a velvety, rich, and bold aroma that made the 14 seem mild. The oak was more prominent, harmonizing with creamy candy flavors and dark fruits, while the ethanol remained well-managed. The palate echoed the nose, showcasing masterful balance, a rich, oily mouthfeel, and a long finish with sweet tobacco, creamy citrus, and lingering dusty oak. Score: 4.5 Lastly, the 18-year-old, which we hoped would be the best, proved disappointing. Compared to the 15-year-old, its aroma was quite tannic. The oak dominated, overpowering the creamy sweets and dark fruits, though the ethanol was still surprisingly controlled for its high proof. The taste did not improve, introducing a bitter, over-brewed tea note that overshadowed the faint hints of creamy sweetness. The finish was medium-long, with bitter black tea and cracked leather, only slightly revealing the sweet candies and fruits. Score: 3.25 In our "KoK fight," we unanimously crowned the 15-year-old as the true King, with the 14-year-old taking Prince status and the 18-year-old relegated to Jester. Keep in mind these were single barrels, so experiences may vary. These bottles are long gone from retail at MSRP, and internet searches show current prices in the thousands, with the 18-year-old nearing $10,000. These astronomical prices are unjustified; many other whiskeys offer comparable quality for far less. If you find a bar offering these at a reasonable price, I recommend trying the 14 or 15-year-old. They are truly special, but not worth exorbitant prices.

Barrel 23: Nose: creamy, burnt sugar, leather, oak Palate: tastes like cherry fun dip on your tongue, a little oak, leather Finish: exceptionally long, with cinnamon and leather. Overall, it's excellent and bears some resemblance to the 2018 GTS, but it's more polished.

A strong start, then BAM, an explosion of flavor on the palate. All the tastes I could ever want in a bourbon. Warm, sweet, spiced....a lot is happening. The longest finish ever. It really stays around for a while. A truly enjoyable drink.

Absolutely incredible. Just opened it and it was really good, but after letting it sit, it became exceptionally good. Strong bourbon flavors of caramel and cinnamon with a lingering finish. Amazing.

Barrel 27 - 127.5 proof Perhaps a minor step down from 21, but still very good The mouthfeel is excellent and it is definitely quite potent. Similar to a BBQ sauce consistency - it reminds me of some older ECBP releases.

Fantastic. So smooth. Coats your mouth with notes of caramel and barrel, a touch spicy, yet buttery and rich.