King of Kentucky is arguably one of the most coveted and elusive bourbons today. Even among die-hard bourbon enthusiasts and aficionados, few have had the privilege of tasting this ultra-rare whiskey.
That’s because with an extremely limited supply and high demand, King of Kentucky is fiendishly difficult to track down. The brand’s mythology has only added to its desirability. King of Kentucky bourbon has gained an almost legendary status, with bottles fetching astronomical prices at auction. It has even earned a spot on our List of the Most Expensive Bourbons In The World.
But what exactly makes this bourbon so special? And why has it developed a cult following despite its scarce availability? This article will delve into the mystique and flavors of King of Kentucky bourbon, examining what makes it stand apart in the world of premium bourbons.
What Is King of Kentucky Bourbon?
King of Kentucky is an ultra-premium bourbon whiskey produced by Brown-Forman Corporation, one of the largest American-owned wine and spirits companies. Brown-Forman also produces other popular bourbons like Woodford Reserve and Old Forester (read our full writeup on Old Forester here).
King of Kentucky is distilled and aged exclusively in Kentucky at the Brown-Forman Distillery in Shively, Kentucky. This distillery has been making bourbon since 1870. Unlike most bourbons which use a mashbill containing corn, rye, and malted barley, King of Kentucky has a high corn mashbill containing over 80% corn (plus 10% rye, and 10% malted barley).
While the exact age statement might vary year to year, King of Kentucky is typically aged for 15 years in charred new American oak barrels, making it an extra-aged bourbon. The higher corn content and lengthy aging process give it a smooth, sweet, rich flavor profile.
Only a limited number of barrels are selected by Brown-Forman’s Master Distiller for the King of Kentucky releases. This scarcity and careful barrel selection are reasons why it’s so rare and priced at the ultra-premium level.
Why Is King of Kentucky So Rare?
King of Kentucky’s rarity comes down to two key factors – the extremely limited quantities released each year, and the fact that demand far outweighs the tight supply. For reference, in the 2023 year, only 51 barrels of King of Kentucky were released by Brown-Forman (which works out to be around 3800 bottles). As one of the company’s premium heritage bourbons paying homage to over 150 years of bourbon-making tradition and history, King of Kentucky is deliberately crafted in small batches to maintain exclusivity.
Compounding the limited annual output is the incredible demand for King of Kentucky from bourbon aficionados and collectors around the world. Due to its reputation as the pinnacle of Brown-Forman’s whiskey offerings, demand heavily exceeds what the distillery can produce. This makes every release of King of Kentucky highly sought-after, with bottles quickly selling out.
The ultra-limited supply combined with huge demand is what makes King of Kentucky such a rare and elusive bourbon. Getting your hands on a bottle is a goal for any serious bourbon drinker.
Tasting Notes and Flavor Profile
King of Kentucky bourbon offers an incredibly complex and refined tasting experience that showcases the masterful blending and aging that goes into this ultra-premium spirit. The aroma begins with sweet notes of caramel, vanilla, and oak char that invite you in.
On the palate, the rich caramel sweetness continues and is complemented by a mélange of baking spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice. There are also berry fruit undertones of black cherry and dried fig. Despite having no age statement, the bourbon tastes nicely matured and avoids any harsh youthful edges.
The texture is extremely silky and viscous, coating every inch of the mouth. There’s a pleasant oaky tannin structure that lingers long on the finish with subtle hints of coffee, tobacco, and dry cinnamon. The precise balance of sweet and spicy flavors makes this an absolute delight to sip neat or on the rocks.
It offers much more complexity than most bourbons, akin to a fine scotch or cognac. Savor it slowly and let the flavors evolve for the full experience.
How Much Does King of Kentucky Cost?
King of Kentucky has a relatively high MSRP compared to other premium bourbons, but it pales in comparison to what collectors are willing to pay on the secondary market due to its rarity. The MSRP set by Brown-Forman for a 750mL bottle of King of Kentucky bottle is around $299. This puts it in the same price range as the MSRP of other high-end bourbons like Pappy Van Winkle 15 Year and William Larue Weller.
However, King of Kentucky is an extremely limited release, with only a few thousand bottles produced each year. This scarcity drives up demand and prices to astronomical levels in liquor stores and online auctions. It’s not uncommon for King of Kentucky to sell for $500-600 per bottle if you can find it. But on the secondary market, prices routinely soar over $1,000 and even upwards of $5,000 per bottle for this ultra-rare bourbon.
The difficulty of actually locating a bottle of King of Kentucky at MSRP means most drinkers will end up paying a huge premium if they want to taste this bourbon. That puts its real-world cost on par with the priciest Scotches and cognacs. But for hardcore bourbon fans intent on trying one of the most elusive releases, the king’s ransom price tag is worth the royal treatment in the glass.
Reviews from Bourbon Experts and Critics
King of Kentucky has earned impressive praise and extremely high scores from some of the most esteemed bourbon reviewers and experts. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a bad review about this bourbon. Here’s what they have to say about this premium bourbon:
The 2023 release of King of Kentucky is once again king of Brown-Forman’s portfolio. It sticks with the mantra, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” and while that could lead to stagnation and complacency, this is one release that doesn’t need to change a thing besides being more readily available for all.
– Breaking Bourbon, 2023 King of Kentucky Review
In my opinion this complex whiskey showcases exactly what Brown-Forman Master Distiller Chris Morris is capable of, and it’s a worthy wearer of the crown.
As D’Angelo Barksdale said, “the king stays the king.”
9/10
Malt Review, 2022 Release Review
King of Kentucky contains the stuff that legends are made of. Easily standing heads and shoulders over anything else from the Brown Forman portfolio (and almost everything else made in Kentucky), this bourbon is flawless.
– The Bourbon Culture, 2021 Release Review
Clearly the critics agree that King of Kentucky represents an outstanding wheated bourbon and one of the finest premium bourbons available today. The complexity of flavors, velvety texture and overall expert craftsmanship shine through in every sip according to the experts. It’s no wonder demand for this rare whiskey remains so high.
Other Premium Bourbons to Try
King of Kentucky stands in rarefied air as one of the most coveted and expensive bourbons on the market. For bourbon enthusiasts or those looking to splurge on a special bottle, here are some other premium options to consider: –
Old Rip Van Winkle – This wheated bourbon produced by Buffalo Trace is also heavily aged, smooth, and in very limited supply. The 10, 12, and 23 year versions are the most prized.
George T. Stagg – An elite uncut and unfiltered bourbon in Buffalo Trace’s Antique Collection. It’s bold at over 140 proof and rich with aged flavor.
William Larue Weller – Another highly-regarded wheated bourbon in the Antique Collection. Expect complex notes of caramel, cinnamon, and leather.
Four Roses Limited Edition Small Batch – Four Roses releases special LE editions each year, and they quickly disappear from shelves. Past recipes have impressed.
Elijah Craig 18 Year – At 18 years, it’s one of the older premium single barrel offerings from Heaven Hill. The extra aging gives it maturation well beyond the standard Elijah Craig.
Best Alternatives to King of Kentucky
Can’t afford to break the bank on King of Kentucky? Most bourbon lovers can’t. Here’s a list of 10 alternatives to this bourbon that won’t break the bank (although some of them are still pretty hard to find.)
- Larceny Very Special Small Batch – A wallet-friendly choice that doesn’t compromise on taste. Larceny’s smoothness and caramel notes make it a worthy contender, and give it a similar flavor profile to King of Kentucky.
- Maker’s Mark No. 46 Cask Strength – It’s well-documented that we love us some Maker’s Mark. 46 Cask Strength is no exception.
- Garrison Brothers Single Barrel Bourbon Whiskey – Bold and robust, with notes of dark chocolate, leather, and spice. Garrison Brothers is a Texas gem that challenges if Kentucky can be King.
- Blue Note 9-Year-Old Premium Small Batch – Smooth and elegant, featuring honey, toasted almonds, and a subtle smokiness.
- Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion #5: Expect butterscotch, vanilla, and caramel aromas from this bourbon, which features a high-corn ratio. As you sip, it develops a tasty finish with hints of canned fruit. A decent choice that won’t disappoint.
Where to Find King of Kentucky
First of all, Bourbon Hunting is an art. We’ve covered it here and there (See: Bourbon Hunting Archives), but you’ll need to employ your best tactics to snag one of these bottles.
King of Kentucky’s rarity and expense make it a challenge to locate for many bourbon drinkers. The limited distribution and small batch production create a situation where you’re unlikely to find this bourbon on your average liquor store shelf. Here are some tips for tracking down this elusive bottle:
Visit specialty liquor stores in major cities.
Your best bet is to check liquor stores in large metro areas that focus on rare and allocated spirits. Stores that get hard-to-find bottles usually sell them quickly. Follow these stores on social media or call ahead to ask when they expect to get King of Kentucky in stock.
Check premium restaurants and bars.
Some high-end restaurants and cocktail bars manage to get a few bottles of King of Kentucky for their whiskey menus. Stop in and ask if they have it, or can get it for you. You’ll pay more than retail price, but may get to try a pour without buying the whole bottle.
Join bourbon lotteries and raffles.
A few stores will raffle or lottery off rare bourbons like King of Kentucky. You enter your name and if selected, get the opportunity to purchase one bottle. It’s a long shot but worth looking into.
Enter bourbon sweepstakes.
Occasionally festivals or bourbon brands will give away King of Kentucky as a prize. While unlikely to win, entering sweepstakes costs nothing. Follow bourbon accounts online to hear about these rare opportunities.
Buy in the secondary market.
If you have money to burn, you can find King of Kentucky for resale online. Auction sites and secondary retailers sell it for many times the retail price, given the rarity. This should be a last resort option. With some persistence and luck, you may be able to hunt down this exclusive bourbon. But patience and an open budget make the search much easier.
Don’t expect to walk into any old liquor store and see King of Kentucky on the shelves. Seeking out this bourbon takes effort, but the hunt can be part of the thrill and enjoyment for serious whiskey fans.
Summing It All Up
King of Kentucky bourbon is an ultra-rare spirit that offers an unmatched bourbon experience. With only 13 barrels produced each year, just a few thousand bottles are ever released, making this one of the most sought-after bourbons on the market.
Its complex and refined flavor profile, with notes of rich caramel, toasted oak, and dried fruit, demonstrates why critics have rated King of Kentucky so highly and called it a “once in a lifetime” bourbon.
Given how little King of Kentucky is produced each year, it commands prices over $1,000 per bottle. While this puts it out of reach for many bourbon enthusiasts, its exquisite flavors and sheer rarity make it worth the high price tag.
Those lucky enough to try a glass of King of Kentucky can appreciate why it’s considered the zenith of premium Kentucky bourbon.
For bourbon lovers searching for the absolute best, it will always stand out as the king.
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