Federal regulations in the United States require that bourbon be made from a mash bill of at least 51% corn before being aged in new oak barrels and bottled at 80 proof or higher. Bourbon that meets these requirements and that has been aged for a minimum of at least two years may be called straight bourbon. Duke Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is a straight bourbon whiskey that is made by marrying together casks of bourbon that have aged for between five and ten years. The bourbon is crafted in homage to John Wayne, whose nickname was "Duke." Created by Ethan Wayne (Duke's son), the bourbon's flavor profile was made to reflect Wayne's personal whiskey preferences, which were preserved for over five decades and were only recently discovered. The bourbon has a distinctively fruity aroma, with notes of nutmeg, maple syrup, caramel, toffee, roasted corn and mellow char on the palate. The finish is bold and spicy, with a hint of cloves, rye and ginger. "My father thrived on new projects and adventures and he always loved a great glass of whiskey at the end of the day," says Ethan Wayne. "Our goal with the Duke was to make a Bourbon that embodies the spirit, strength and richness my father personified while realizing his unfulfilled dream of distilling fine spirits." 

Duke Grand Cru Reserve Rye whiskey marries the classic and powerful flavors of aged Kentucky rye with the finest French Oak Grand Cru wine barrels in the world. This rye is meticulously crafted and then delicately rests in these barrels, leading to an incredible balance of flavors while extracting the subtle nuances of the French oak and years of Cabernet infusion. The rye is then moved to rest in a second French oak wine barrel, which has been graced by both a world-class Cabernet and our 9-year-old Kentucky Straight bourbon. This secondary finish rounds out the velvety profile of the rye.

Our story BEHIND THE BARREL

Duke Timeless Spirits is inspired by legendary American icon, craftsman and actor John Wayne, or “The Duke”.
His devotion to his craft, friends, family and country brought him respect and admiration across the globe – earning him a congressional gold medal, an airport named after him, a feature on two postage stamps and an induction into the California Hall of Fame in 2007.

Duke Grand Cru Founders Reserve Bourbon exquisitely marries the classic and bold flavors of our Kentucky Straight bourbon with the finest French Oak Grand Cru wine barrels in the World. A rare 9 yr. old selection of our Kentucky Straight bourbon is then aged in the same barrels that housed stunning 98-100 point single vineyard California Cult Cabernets. The French Oak, originating from centuries old forests, and, the perfect level of toasting ultimately provides a profound and unique Expression of the spirit.