The King (of Kentucky) is again!
Scorching on the heels of touchdown on the quantity two spot on the UPROXX “Greatest Bourbons of 2025” record, King of Kentucky is sustaining the momentum by debuting a brand-new small-batch model of its critically acclaimed single-barrel bourbon. New for 2026, King of Kentucky Small-Batch Bourbon is a single mix of Brown-Forman bourbon, bottled at three completely different proof factors to ship notably completely different outcomes.
Batch 1 is bottled at 105 proof, Batch 2 at 107.5 proof, and Batch 3 at 110 proof. Every batch includes a mix of barrels aged 12-18 years, delivering a mature taste profile that followers have come to count on from King of Kentucky’s annual single-barrel providing. One notable variation between that coveted expression (now in its ninth yr) and this new small-batch, apart from the truth that these are dropped at bottling proof with the assistance of some Kentucky limestone water, is the mash invoice. Essentially the most regal model of the King is constituted of 79% corn, 11% rye, and 10% malted barley, whereas this new lineup is made with 75% corn, 15% rye, and 10% malted barley — a primary for the Brown-Forman model.
Followers can count on every batch to be distributed equally throughout 36 markets beginning now, with a sign that they’ll even be out there collectively as a part of a three-pack.
Whereas the model has but to verify that this new triumvirate of small-batch bourbons can be an ongoing, annual launch, Brown-Forman’s Grasp Distiller Emeritus, Chris Morris, was fast to comment that the extremely sought-after single-barrel model of King of Kentucky continues to be set for its ordinary launch this upcoming fall.
Now, with out additional ado, let’s evaluation all three!
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King Of Kentucky Small-Batch Bourbon Batch 1 Assessment
ABV: 52.5%
Common Value: $299.99
The Whiskey:
This new, low-proof batch of King of Kentucky is crafted from a singular mash invoice of 75% corn, 15% rye, and 10% malted barley and includes a mix of barrels aged for 12-18 years.
Tasting Notes:
Nostril: The nostril on this whiskey begins with a distinctly floral and impressively fruit-forward bouquet. Accenting notes of butterscotch, darkish chocolate, and spearmint come up from the glass after these preliminary notes subside.
Palate: On the palate, this bourbon stays remarkably floral, berry-forward, and dotted with notes of spearmint, effusive vanilla, cacao nibs, oak, and peanut brittle. It’s a reasonably balanced affair that comes throughout the palate with a spry but supple texture that makes it actually drinkable.
End: The medium-length end reprises notes of peanut brittle, vanilla, raspberry compote, and black pepper for a satisfyingly candy send-off.
Backside Line:
This 105-proof model of King of Kentucky is extra just like Previous Forester 100 Proof Bourbon, which isn’t essentially a nasty factor. The flavors, in comparison with that way more reasonably priced different, are dialed as much as 10, and the marginally viscous mouthfeel helps them have extra endurance. Whereas this doesn’t rise to the regal stage of its single-barrel forefather, it’s an unmistakably tasty pour all the identical.
King Of Kentucky Small-Batch Bourbon Batch 2 Assessment
ABV: 53.75%
Common Value: $299.99
The Whiskey:
This new 107.5-proof batch of King of Kentucky is crafted from a singular mash invoice of 75% corn, 15% rye, and 10% malted barley, and includes a mix of barrels aged 12-18 years.
Tasting Notes:
Nostril: The nostril on this one is stuffed with cinnamon spice, vanilla, and caramel notes, earlier than accents of black pepper, raspberry, rosewater, and brown sugar come billowing out of the glass. It’s positively essentially the most alluring nostril of any whiskey within the lineup, and that slight uptick in ABV is each evident and welcome.
Palate: As soon as this whiskey crosses your lips, you instantly decide up notes of dried cherries, black pepper, and creme brulee on the tip of the tongue. In an fascinating flip, at midpalate, this one delivers a faintly bitter observe of arugula earlier than vanilla, black tea, and mature oak add depth.
End: For its remaining act, this bourbon ratchets up the black tea observe and fuses it with dried raspberries, black peppercorn, caramel, and cinnamon bark. It’s a daring, spice-forward end that lingers with reasonable size.
Backside Line:
This 107.5-proof model of King Of Kentucky takes the flavour profile of the 105-proof batch in a unique route. By eschewing the fruit-forward notes and dialing up the darkish sweetness and baking spice, that is essentially the most distinctive of the lineup and makes for a bourbon in contrast to anything within the Brown-Forman portfolio.
King Of Kentucky Small-Batch Bourbon Batch 3 Assessment
ABV: 55%
Common Value: $299.99
The Whiskey:
This new 110-proof batch of King of Kentucky is crafted from a singular mash invoice of 75% corn, 15% rye, and 10% malted barley, and includes a mix of barrels aged 12-18 years.
Tasting Notes:
Nostril: The nostril on this whiskey is essentially the most harking back to King of Kentucky’s single-barrel model of the bunch. Darkish cherry, mint chocolate, mature oak, and graham cracker pie crust notes drift over the rim of the glass. Rounding out the aroma bouquet is a flourish of brown sugar and a contact of smoked honey.
Palate: Dried black cherries, black pepper, and darkish chocolate make a pleasant preliminary impression on the palate, as the flavour profile of this bourbon is clearly essentially the most centered and well-developed of the lot. These notes play effectively with an infusion of mature oak and toffee at midpalate, and a viscous mouthfeel that enables the liquid to coat your tongue.
End: The medium-to-long end on this whiskey is stuffed with black tea, which causes you to smack your lips earlier than including wealthy cherries, allspice, mature oak, and smoked honey to the combination.
Backside Line:
That is the whiskey that almost all intently aligns with the King of Kentucky profile I’m used to, and unsurprisingly so. With the increase in proof, it showcases essentially the most concentrated barrel notes of oak, vanilla, and brown sugar, whereas additionally wrestling out extra of the distillate-driven black cherry taste. It’s much less distinctly fruity than the 105-proof, however way more well-rounded, complicated, and viscous than the 107.5-proof.
Total: It’s arduous to say that any of those bottles dwell as much as their royal forefather, however regardless of being fairly completely different from considered one of the very best bourbons on the earthall of them positively ship a singular and intriguing taste profile of their very own.
Brown-Forman deserves credit score for increasing the King of Kentucky lineup, permitting extra individuals to get a bit of whiskey world royalty. That stated, the princely sum required to safe even considered one of these bottles, and the choice to make the most of a very completely different mash invoice makes this inaugural lineup a curious addition to the dominion.