During a recent trip to Kentucky to visit family, I was fortunate enough to find a very reasonable pour of Brown-Forman’s King of Kentucky 2022 release. My family and I stopped in at LexLive in Lexington one night and they had a bottle of King of Kentucky available. When we asked the price, we were pleasantly surprised to find out it was $16 a pour (and a generous pour at that).
My understanding is that King of Kentucky is only released in Kentucky and a few nearby areas, so we were not expecting to get to try this hard to find outside Kentucky bourbon. King of Kentucky did not disappoint and held true to the title of King. It is one of the best bourbons I have had the chance to try.
I do wish it wasn’t as limited and the retail price was a little lower. I think for the retail price, it isn’t the best value. There are some high proof alternatives (Old Forester Barrel Strength) in the $100 range that are nearly as good and much more readily available. And when it comes to the average market price, forget about it. King of Kentucky is great but absolutely not worth the $1500-$3000 price ranges I have seen. Even though the value isn’t the best at retail, I would definitely pick up a bottle at retail if I were lucky enough to find it. I would highly recommend it if you find a decent priced pour at a bar to try it as well.
Overview
| Distillery/Bottler | Brown-Forman |
| Bottle | King of Kentucky 2022 #3/118 |
| Whiskey Type | Straight Bourbon |
| Release/Batch | Very Limited/2022 |
| Proof | 131.7 |
| Age | 15 Year |
| Color | Burnt Umber |
| Market Price | $2800 (wine-searcher.com) |
| MSRP | $250 |
NOSE: 9/10
Wonderful syrupy brown sugar, crème brûlée, vanilla, touch of oak and leather
PALATE: 8/10
Thick creamy mouthfeel, bold caramel and brown sugar, dark red fruit hints
FINISH: 9/10
Long, rye spice, oak, leather, slight dryness
EPIC CASK RATING:
Uniqueness: 8/10
Value: 6/10 at retail prices, 1/10 at secondary prices
Overall: 9/10
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