Kentucky Owl Batch 12 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Kentucky Owl Batch 12 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Since Master Blender John Rhea took the reins at Kentucky Owl in 2021, the brand has been on a mission to prove itself. Under Rhea's leadership, Kentucky Owl has introduced new expressions and a range of limited edition offerings. However, the heart and soul of the brand remains their core bourbon, now represented by Batch #12.

For Batch #12, Rhea expertly combines 7-to-14-year-old bourbons with two distinct four-year-old bourbons. While concerns may arise about the younger spirits overshadowing the older ones, once the bottle is opened, those worries dissipate.

As the bourbon cascades into the glass, a captivating medley of aromas fills the air—sweet cornbread, nutmeg, brown sugar, and a subtle nuttiness. Soon, notes of figs and orange blossom join the ensemble, accompanied by hints of wet newspaper and lipstick. On the palate, flavors of cornbread, butterscotch, and baking spice emerge, along with a tantalizing hint of strawberry licorice reminiscent of Twizzlers candy. This fleeting sensation teases the tongue before giving way to the aforementioned robust flavors.

Despite the initial promise of the aroma, the mouthfeel remains moderate, and the midpalate seems somewhat muted, preventing the well-developed flavors from fully reaching their potential.