A Century of American Whiskey

Rowan's Creek 1988 12 Year Old Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Miniature

Kentucky Bourbon Distillers are the owners of the Willett distillery in Bardstown. Willett distillery was built in 1936, just a few years after the repeal of National Prohibition by Lambert Willett, a former distiller for Max Selliger & Co. The distillery was initially a success, principally through its Old Bardstown and Johnny Drum brands, however it was hit hard by the bourbon slump of the 1970s. The result was an ill-advised move into producing ethanol for the production of \"gasohol,\" spurred by the 1979 energy crises. When that market re-stabilised, Willett was left floundering and eventually closed in the early 1980s. Lambert's granddaughter, Martha Willett and her husband, Even Kulsveen, then purchased the distillery and established Kentucky Bourbon Distillers in 1984. They originally bottled the remaining barrels of 1970s-distilled stock, however as that gradually diminished, they began sourcing barrels from other producers in order to replenish it, becoming one of the most important independent bottlers in Kentucky. The majority of their barrels were believed to have come from neighbouring Heaven Hill, and with these casks they developed a wealth of important brands, including the Willett Family Estate, Noah's Mill and Rowan's Creek. In addition, they contract-bottled brands for other companies, such as the Very Olde St Nick and Black Maple Hill brands. Revered for the quality of their whiskey, their products have become some of the most collectible to come out of Kentucky. One January 21st, 2012, the company re-opened Willett distillery, and have been slowly replenishing its warehouses with its own whiskey ever since.

This is the original 12 year old expression. Rowan's Creek is now a non-age statement release, presumed to be around 8 years old.

This version was distilled in 1988.

New Riff 2016 Single Barrel Bourbon #3298 / Potomac Wine & Spirits

A single barrel of Kentucky bourbon from the New Riff distillery.

New Riff distillery was established in Kentucky in 2014 by Ken Lewis, recognising thr trend in the bourbon community for greater transparency about the products being produced. The distillery sticks resolutely to the Bottled in Bond Act of 1897, ageing their casks for a minimum of four years, and bottling at 100 proof only from a single distilling season. The operation distils using both rye and bourbon mashbills, and has developed a strong following for its high quality and straight-forward output.

This whiskey was distilled on the 28th of November 2016 and aged in single barrel #16-3298 untill being bottled at cask strength on the 4th of February 2021 for Potomac Wines & Spirits..

New Riff 2015 Single Barrel Bourbon #5984

A single barrel of Kentucky bourbon from the New Riff distillery.

New Riff distillery was established in Kentucky in 2014 by Ken Lewis, recognising the trend in the bourbon community for greater transparency about the products being produced. The distillery sticks resolutely to the Bottled in Bond Act of 1897, ageing their casks for a minimum of four years, and bottling at 100 proof only from a single distilling season. The operation distils using both rye and bourbon mashbills, and has developed a strong following for its high quality and straight-forward output.

This whiskey was distilled in the summer of 2016 and aged in single barrel #16-3467 untill bottling in March 2021.

Hirsch Selection 8 Year Old High Rye

Hirsch Selection is a brand of American whiskey from Preiss Imports, who bottled to the original A.H. Hirsch Reserve, and is intended to evoke and honour that legendary batch of bourbon.

This particular bottling is an 8 year old high rye sourced from MGP.

The history of MGP distillery has its roots in the mid-19th century, however it is best known for its association to Seagram, who purchased it at the close of Prohibition in 1933. Located in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, the distillery provided whiskey and grain neutral spirits for many of the Canadian distilling giants products for the rest of the 20th century. When an ill-advised move into the entertainment industry saw Seagram collapse in the early 2000s, much of their assets, including the Lawrenceburg distillery were bought up by Pernod-Ricard. They announced in 2006 that they intended to close it, however ended up selling it instead to a holding company in Trinidad called CL Financial. They renamed it LDI (Lawrenceburg Distillers Indiana). It was not long however before the new owners would go bust as well, and the distillery was again sold, this time to MGP Ingredients, who renamed it in the process. The company produced and markets some of its own brands, but its main line of business is a huge contract-distilling operation. Among these are a number of well-regarded grain recipes, and several bourbons. Among its biggest customers are Diageo, and former owners, Pernod-Ricard, alongside an extensive list of independent boutique brands. In 2021 it was announced that MGP had acquired Luxco, which would provide it with a new national distribution for its Indiana-produced brands, but also facilitated it with the Lux Row distillery, which opened in 2018.

New Riff 2015 Single Barrel Bourbon #5984

A single barrel of Kentucky bourbon from the New Riff distillery.

New Riff distillery was established in Kentucky in 2014 by Ken Lewis, recognising thr trend in the bourbon community for greater transparency about the products being produced. The distillery sticks resolutely to the Bottled in Bond Act of 1897, ageing their casks for a minimum of four years, and bottling at 100 proof only from a single distilling season. The operation distils using both rye and bourbon mashbills, and has developed a strong following for its high quality and straight-forward output.

This whiskey was distilled in the summer of 2016 and aged in single barrel #16-10787 untill bottling in August 2020 for Market Basket and Daily Spirits.

Willett Family Estate 4 Year Old Small Batch Rye

Kentucky Bourbon Distillers are the owners of the Willett distillery in Bardstown. Willett distillery was built in 1936, just a few years after the repeal of National Prohibition by Lambert Willett, a former distiller for Max Selliger & Co. The distillery was initially a success, principally through its Old Bardstown and Johnny Drum brands, however it was hit hard by the bourbon slump of the 1970s. The result was an ill-advised move into producing ethanol for the production of \"gasohol,\" spurred by the 1979 energy crises. When that market re-stabilised, Willett was left floundering and eventually closed in the early 1980s. Lambert's granddaughter, Martha Willett and her husband, Even Kulsveen, then purchased the distillery and established Kentucky Bourbon Distillers in 1984. They originally bottled the remaining barrels of 1970s-distilled stock, however as that gradually diminished, they began sourcing barrels from other producers in order to replenish it, becoming one of the most important independent bottlers in Kentucky. The majority of their barrels were believed to have come from neighbouring Heaven Hill, and with these casks they developed a wealth of important brands, including the Willett Family Estate, Noah's Mill and Rowan's Creek. In addition, they contract-bottled brands for other companies, such as the Very Olde St Nick and Black Maple Hill brands. Revered for the quality of their whiskey, their products have become some of the most collectible to come out of Kentucky. One January 21st, 2012, the company re-opened Willett distillery, and have been slowly replenishing its warehouses with its own whiskey ever since.

This Willett Family Estate release was bottled from barrels filled by KBD at the Willett distillery.

Hunter's Select Barrel 9 Year Old Tennesse Bourbon Batch #1

This is a small batch bottling if Tennessee bourbon, bottled by Leiper's Fork distillery in Franklin, Tennessee. The distillery does produce its own whiskey, however this one was bottled from barrels sourced elsewhere in the state (likely at Cascade Hollow).

The mashbill is 72% corn, 20% rye and 8% malted barley, and this was aged 9 years.

Old Ezra 7 Year Old 101 Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon 2016

A barrel strength Bourbon produced at Heaven Hill on behalf of Luxco.

The brand takes its name from the Ezra Brooks label, historically produced by the Ripy brothers at Hoffman distillery before they sold it to Julian Van Winkle III.  The label is perhaps best known for having been taken to court of copycat accusations by Jack Daniel's in the 1960s, with similarities in everything from the bottle and label to the (square/ black and white) tot he advertising slogans (\"there isn't quite enough to go around\" vs. \"there just ain't enuf to go around\").

Luxco was established as the David Sherman Corporation in 1958 by David Sherman Sr. and Paul A. Lux. David Sherman was one of the many companies that profited from the initial United Distillers investment and subsequent Diageo divestment in bourbon, acquiring the Ezra Brooks brand from United Distillers in 1993 after they closed down the Medley distillery where it was made to focus on Bernheim and its brands. They then later added the struggling Rebel Yell and David Nicholson brands (both formerly produced at the legendary Stitzel-Weller) in 1999 and 2000, the result of Diageo selling Bernheim to Heaven Hill and looking to offload its other unwanted brands. The company was renamed Luxco in 2006 and has successfully rejuvenated both the images and reputations of the historic brands that it now markets. Initially without a distillery and contracting production to Heaven Hill, they opened the Lux Row distillery in Kentucky in 2018.

Willett Family Estate 4 Year Old Small Batch Rye

Kentucky Bourbon Distillers are the owners of the Willett distillery in Bardstown. Willett distillery was built in 1936, just a few years after the repeal of National Prohibition by Lambert Willett, a former distiller for Max Selliger & Co. The distillery was initially a success, principally through its Old Bardstown and Johnny Drum brands, however it was hit hard by the bourbon slump of the 1970s. The result was an ill-advised move into producing ethanol for the production of \"gasohol,\" spurred by the 1979 energy crises. When that market re-stabilised, Willett was left floundering and eventually closed in the early 1980s. Lambert's granddaughter, Martha Willett and her husband, Even Kulsveen, then purchased the distillery and established Kentucky Bourbon Distillers in 1984. They originally bottled the remaining barrels of 1970s-distilled stock, however as that gradually diminished, they began sourcing barrels from other producers in order to replenish it, becoming one of the most important independent bottlers in Kentucky. The majority of their barrels were believed to have come from neighbouring Heaven Hill, and with these casks they developed a wealth of important brands, including the Willett Family Estate, Noah's Mill and Rowan's Creek. In addition, they contract-bottled brands for other companies, such as the Very Olde St Nick and Black Maple Hill brands. Revered for the quality of their whiskey, their products have become some of the most collectible to come out of Kentucky. One January 21st, 2012, the company re-opened Willett distillery, and have been slowly replenishing its warehouses with its own whiskey ever since.

This Willett Family Estate release was bottled from barrels filled by KBD at the Willett distillery.

Old Ezra 7 Year Old Barrel Strength

Luxco was established as the David Sherman Corporation in 1958 by David Sherman Sr. and Paul A. Lux. David Sherman was one of the many companies that profited from the initial United Distillers investment and subsequent Diageo divestment in bourbon, acquiring the Ezra Brooks brand from United Distillers in 1993 after they closed down the Medley distillery where it was made to focus on Bernheim and its brands. They then later added the struggling Rebel Yell and David Nicholson brands (both formerly produced at the legendary Stitzel-Weller) in 1999 and 2000, the result of Diageo selling Bernheim to Heaven Hill and looking to offload its other unwanted brands. The company was renamed Luxco in 2006 and has successfully rejuvenated both the images and reputations of the historic brands that it now markets. Initially without a distillery and contracting production to Heaven Hill, they opened the Lux Row distillery in Kentucky in 2018. In early 2021 it was announced that Luxco would be acquired by MGP, who’s Indiana distillery will provide it with whiskey for its brands until the 1m litre capacity Lux Row has enough mature stock to be fully self-sustaining.

Launched in the autumn of 2018, this 7 year old was distilled at Heaven Hill and bottled at barrel proof.

Early Times & Johnny Drums Miniature x 2 1980s-90s

• Early Times Kentucky Straight Bourbon 80 proof 1980
• Johnny Drum 8 year old 86 proof 1994

Willet Family Estate 4 Year Old Small Batch Rye

Kentucky Bourbon Distillers are the owners of the Willett distillery in Bardstown. Willett distillery was built in 1936, just a few years after the repeal of National Prohibition by Lambert Willett, a former distiller for Max Selliger & Co. The distillery was initially a success, principally through its Old Bardstown and Johnny Drum brands, however it was hit hard by the bourbon slump of the 1970s. The result was an ill-advised move into producing ethanol for the production of \"gasohol,\" spurred by the 1979 energy crises. When that market re-stabilised, Willett was left floundering and eventually closed in the early 1980s. Lambert's granddaughter, Martha Willett and her husband, Even Kulsveen, then purchased the distillery and established Kentucky Bourbon Distillers in 1984. They originally bottled the remaining barrels of 1970s-distilled stock, however as that gradually diminished, they began sourcing barrels from other producers in order to replenish it, becoming one of the most important independent bottlers in Kentucky. The majority of their barrels were believed to have come from neighbouring Heaven Hill, and with these casks they developed a wealth of important brands, including the Willett Family Estate, Noah's Mill and Rowan's Creek. In addition, they contract-bottled brands for other companies, such as the Very Olde St Nick and Black Maple Hill brands. Revered for the quality of their whiskey, their products have become some of the most collectible to come out of Kentucky. One January 21st, 2012, the company re-opened Willett distillery, and have been slowly replenishing its warehouses with its own whiskey ever since.

This Willett Family Estate release was bottled from barrels filled by KBD at the Willett distillery.

Old Forester Kentucky Straight Bourbon Miniature 1970s

Introduced in 1870, Old Forester was the founding product of what is now Brown-Forman and is one of America's historic bourbon brands. It was one of the first to be sold only in sealed bottles, in order to ensure quality control to capitalise on the medicinal whiskey trade in the 19th century. It was even named after local Louisville physician, Dr. William Forrester (they dropped the second 'R' from the name when he retired). This early foresight paid dividends when National Prohibition was enacted in 1920, seeing Brown-Forman granted a license to continue making whiskey. It was one of just six, alongside Glenmore, Frankfort Distilleries, Schenley A. Ph. Stitzel and the American Medicinal Spirits Co. In the decades following repeal, Brown-Forman became one of the nation's leading drinks companies, and Old Forester remained its flagship Kentucky brand. Its distillery in Shively is one of the largest in the state, and in 2018 they opened a dedicated Old Forester distillery on Louisville's famous Whiskey Row, doubling their capacity to produce the brand.

Peerless 24 Month Old Barrel Proof Rye 2015

Peerless is a historic brand dating back to 1889 when the Worsham distillery was acquired by H. Kraver. He produced whiskey under the Kentucky Peerless Brand until Prohibition closed the distillery in 1920. The brand was resurrected in 2014 by two of his ancestors, Corky and Carson Taylor, who acquired the original distillery number and unlike many resurrected brands who source their casks from established distilleries, built their own plant in downtown Louisville. They filled their first casks in 2015.

This whisky has been aged for 24 months in wood before being bottled at barrel strength in 2015.

Willett Family Estate 2 Year Old Small Batch Rye

Kentucky Bourbon Distillers are the owners of the Willett distillery in Bardstown. Willett distillery was built in 1936, just a few years after the repeal of National Prohibition by Lambert Willett, a former distiller for Max Selliger & Co. The distillery was initially a success, principally through its Old Bardstown and Johnny Drum brands, however it was hit hard by the bourbon slump of the 1970s. The result was an ill-advised move into producing ethanol for the production of \"gasohol,\" spurred by the 1979 energy crises. When that market re-stabilised, Willett was left floundering and eventually closed in the early 1980s. Lambert's granddaughter, Martha Willett and her husband, Even Kulsveen, then purchased the distillery and established Kentucky Bourbon Distillers in 1984. They originally bottled the remaining barrels of 1970s-distilled stock, however as that gradually diminished, they began sourcing barrels from other producers in order to replenish it, becoming one of the most important independent bottlers in Kentucky. The majority of their barrels were believed to have come from neighbouring Heaven Hill, and with these casks they developed a wealth of important brands, including the Willett Family Estate, Noah's Mill and Rowan's Creek. In addition, they contract-bottled brands for other companies, such as the Very Olde St Nick and Black Maple Hill brands. Revered for the quality of their whiskey, their products have become some of the most collectible to come out of Kentucky. One January 21st, 2012, the company re-opened Willett distillery, and have been slowly replenishing its warehouses with its own whiskey ever since.

This Willett Family Estate release was bottled from barrels filled by KBD at the Willett distillery.

Barton 1792 Bottled in Bond Single Barrel / Daily Spirits

The Barton 1792 distillery is one of Kentucky's oldest, having also been called simply Barton, and Thomas Moore over the years. The site was badly damaged in 2018 when both halves of one of its main warehouses collapsed in the same month, ensuring a likely shortage to come.

The 1792 bourbon label was introduced in 2002 by Barton Brands, back then known as the \"1792 Ridgewood Reserve\" and carrying an 8 year old age-statement. After just two years on the shelves the company was forced to change the name to Ridgemont Reserve following a successful legal challenge from Brown-Forman, who claimed that the similarity of the name and bottle design to Woodford Reserve was misleading. The name remained unchanged for ten years until Sazerac, who had bought the Barton distillery and its portfolio in 2009, who shortened it to simply 1792, after they year in which the state of Kentucky was founded. The 8 year old age-statement had been dropped the previous year, but the rebranding included the first line extensions, such as Sweet Wheat, Port Finish, High Rye and Full Proof.

This is a bottled in bond bourbon, filled at the requisite 100 US proof.

It is from the Sazerac company's Single Barrel Select range, a series of private single barrel versions of their standard core range.

Four Roses 6 Year Old Kentucky Bourbon Miniature 1990s

The origins of the Four Roses brand are historically hazy, with some speculating that it has been sold since the 1860s. The brand name itself was trademarked in 1888 by the Paul Jones company. At the onset of Prohibition, Paul Jones purchased the Frankfort Distillery, reorganising their company as part of it in order to use its medicinal license to continue to bottle Four Roses bourbon. The Four Roses distillery we know today was built in Lawrenceburg in 1910 by JTS Brown & Sons. Known back then as the Old Prentice, it is one of the Kentucky distilleries on the National Register of Historic Buildings for its distinctive Spanish mission style architecture. It was re-opened in 1933 after the repeal of Prohibition, Seagram purchased the Frankfort Distillery in 1943, and the Old Prentice distillery three years later, moving the production on the Four Roses brand there, renaming the plant after it in the process. When Seagram was wound up in the early 2000s, the distillery and its brands were bought by Japanese firm, Kirin, who continue to produce Four Roses to great acclaim.

This is a 1980s bottling of Four Roses Kentucky straight bourbon.

At this time, Seagram preferred to promote their Seven Crown as the whiskey brand of choice in the US, limiting Four Roses as a straight bourbon to the export market. US customers had to make do with a blended \"light\" whiskey variant until the brand was acquired by Kirin in 2002, who re-introduced the straight bourbon to its native market.

Yellowstone 6 Year Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Miniature 1980s

Yellowstone is a historic pre-prohibition bourbon brand, created by J.B. Dant at the Gesthemane distillery, although was associated more closely with Yellowstone distillery (producer of Ezra Brooks) and its owners, the Thompson family (of Glenmore distillery).

The distillery was shut down by its owners in 1985,and they sold it along with Medley distillery and its brands to United Distillers in 1991. Rather than revive the Yellowstone brand, they sold it on to Heaven Hill in 1993, who promptly sold it to the David Sherman Company in the same year.

David Sherman (now Luxco) had it distilled and bottled under contract at Heaven Hill until in 2015, Paul and Steve Beam, descendents of the Beam and Dant families reached an agreement with Luxco to begin producing the brand at their new Limestone Branch distillery.