15 Stars
Fine Aged Bourbon
Timeless Reserve
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Aged 14 Years
103 Proof
MSRP $279 (according to thewhiskeywash.com)
A Bourbon Review
Please enjoy my 15 Stars 14 Year Fine Aged Bourbon Review!
Why 15 Stars?
15 Stars is named in homage to Kentucky being the 15th state on the 15 star US flag, which debuted in 1795. Interestingly, this flag is also the only US flag to have 15 stripes, rather than the 13 that we have today. In addition, this is also the flag that inspired the Star Spangled Banner. So it’s one important flag!
What About The Bourbon?
But what about 15 Stars Bourbon? According to the 15 Stars website, they are currently distilling bourbons made with heritage corns, including a baby black corn, which sounds very interesting. Also on deck are bourbons made with heritage red, white and blue corns. While they are waiting for their own whiskeys to mature, they are sourcing and blending some older Kentucky bourbons. This 15 Stars 14 Year Fine Aged Bourbon Timeless Reserve is their first release.
Tasting Notes
Let’s taste it:
🛏 Rested for 15 minutes in a Glencairn
👉🏻Nose: Oak, pine, baking spices, crème brûlée, brown sugar, cocoa, leather; moderate alcohol
👉🏻Taste: Crème brûlée, brown sugar, oak, char
👉🏻Finish: A habanero-like spice builds but some sweetness and oak linger, too, into the long spicy finish
The wood flavors dominate on the nose, but there is a pastry-like richness as well. The taste brings more of the same, with a surprising capsaicin spiciness building into the finish. Don’t worry, though; the oak and brown sugar hang on and linger into the long finish.
Mature Bourbon Flavors
I am really enjoying this 15 Stars 14 Year Fine Aged Bourbon. It is oak forward, but not overwhelming. There are a nice combination of older barrel flavors with a sweeter rich pastry component. While all the flavors play a very strong part, oak is king. So if that is something that you enjoy, then this bourbon is for you! Although at the moment, it looks like it may only be available in Kentucky. Not sure what their future distribution plans are.
Price
Seems like we need to say a word or two about the price. While $279 MSRP may seem a bit high, it is not out of line with many of the older sourced bourbons that we have seen released by new brands in the last year or two. We know that older Kentucky bourbons are somewhat hard to come by these days, which contributes to the price. Ultimately, though, it is up to the individual consumer to decide what they are willing to pay for their bourbon.
Double Gold
Oh, and did I mention that 15 Stars 14 Year Fine Aged Bourbon Timeless Reserve just won a Double Gold in the San Francisco World Spirits Competition? Have you tried 15 Stars yet? What did you think? Cheers!🥃
I hope you have enjoyed my 15 Stars 14 Year Fine Aged Bourbon 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!