15 STARS Three Kings Review

Three Kings
15 STARS
Fine Aged Whiskey
107 Proof
Aged 11 & 15 Years
MSRP: $179.99
Review

Please enjoy our 15 STARS Three Kings Review!

“A unique blend of Straight Bourbon, Rye & Wheat Whiskeys”

History

15 STARS, started by father and son Rick and Ricky Johnson, debuted their first bourbon almost two and a half years ago. They are currently distilling bourbons made from their own heirloom corns. While those age to maturity, Rick and Ricky have been releasing very well received sourced aged whiskeys, which they have carefully selected and blended. I have really enjoyed all that I have tried, and now have very high expectations for each new release.

15 STARS Three Kings Whiskey

15 STARS Three Kings (along with 13 Year Old Timeless Reserve) is the latest release from the brand. The bourbon, rye & wheat whiskeys used in the blend are distilled in Kentucky and Indiana and aged 15 & 11 years. Not many, if any, other distilleries have released a blend of these three whiskeys, so I’m excited to see what it’s like.

Tasting Notes – 15 STARS Three Kings Whiskey Review

Let’s taste it:

🛏 Rested for 15 minutes in a Glencairn

🖍️Color: I don’t usually mention the color of whiskeys, but in this case, I must. It has quite the dark amber hue.

👉🏻Nose: Dark stone fruits, like cherries & plums; sweet apples; tart orange peel; dark brown sugar; sweet oak; toffee; alcohol vapor appropriate for the proof
👉🏻Taste: Brown sugar, oak, light barrel char
👉🏻Finish: Increasingly dry; moderate black pepper; subtle sweetness; dry oak and char; long with lingering smoky barrel char and black pepper spice; moderate warmth

The nose starts off with dark stone fruits, like dark cherries and plums, as well as sweet apples. In addition, dark brown sugar and toffee add rich confectionery flavors to the mix. Sweet oak, which becomes increasingly evident with each sip, removes any doubt that the component whiskeys are well aged. Tart orange peel in the background adds a nice contrast to the sweeter flavors.

The taste is dominated by dark brown sugar and ample oak, with a bit of tannins, for good measure. A fairly large dash of black pepper becomes quite noticeable in the very long finish; however, it is not excessive. Dry oak and mildly smoky barrel char join in, with all those flavors lingering for an eternity.

A “Fine Aged Whiskey” Indeed

The label states that 15 STARS Three Kings is a “Fine Aged Whiskey”. It is difficult to disagree with that statement. The well-aged character of this whiskey is noticeable right from the start, with it’s unmistakably rich flavors, stone fruits and oak. While the oak is quite prominent, it blends very well with the other flavors, and is not at all overpowering. There’s just the right amount of smoky barrel char in the finish, as well.

A Blend of Whiskeys

I had to remind myself that 15 STARS Three Kings is a blend of bourbon, rye and wheat whiskeys, because the flavors all meld together so well. To be perfectly honest, I would have thought this was a well-aged bourbon, had I not known that it contained the other whiskeys, too. I would be interested to know the proportions of each, since the bourbon seems dominant. However, I’ve been wrong many times before about what’s in a whiskey, so take that with a grain of salt.

Nonetheless, I can see where each of the other whiskeys might be contributing some of the flavors. The wheat whiskey is probably responsible for a portion of those sweeter flavors and fruits, while the rye may be adding black pepper and tart orange peel. Since the rye used in 15 STARS Three Kings is well-aged, the sharper flavors and spice have likely mellowed a bit, making its contribution more subtle than might be expected.

Summary

Well, I have to say, my high expectations for this whiskey were certainly met, if not exceeded! Three Kings is another delicious whiskey from 15 STARS, highlighting the mature flavors that I have come to expect, but with perfect balance. If you are a fan of these flavors, particularly a moderate amount of oak, then this is one you’ll want to try. Have you had any of the 15 STARS whiskeys? What did you think? Cheers!🥃

We hope you have enjoyed our 15 STARS Three Kings review! If you would like to read about more of Rick and Ricky’s whiskeys, then check out our 15 STARS 8 & 15 Bourbon Review, our 15 STARS First West Bourbon Review, our 15 STARS Sherry Cask Finished Bourbon Review, our 15 STARS First West Toasted Oak Finish Bourbon Review and our Kentucke County Bourbon Aged 6 Years Review.

Note: This bottle was graciously provided by the distillery for my review.

Would you like to learn more about distilleries and bourbon? Are you planning a trip to Kentucky Distilleries? Maybe you would like to live the bourbon life vicariously through us? If any of these are true, then check out BourbonObsessed.com today!