Kentucke County 12 Year Old American Whiskey Review | Mature Oak & Classic Bourbon Flavors

Kentucke County
12 Year Old American Whiskey
by 15 STARS
90 Proof
SRP: $57.99
Review

Please enjoy our Kentucke County 12 Year Old American Whiskey by 15 STARS Review!

Background

Kentucke County is a new line from 15 STARS created to commemorate America’s 250th anniversary and the birthplace of bourbon. The name references Kentucke County, Virginia, which was established in 1776 and later evolved into the region that would become Kentucky and Bourbon County.

The inaugural Kentucke County lineup consists of two expressions: Kentucke County 12 Year Old American Whiskey and Kentucke County Straight Bourbon Whiskey Aged 6 Years. For this review, we are focusing on the 12-year-old expression, a whiskey that combines mature age with an approachable price point.

According to 15 STARS, one component of the whiskey was distilled from a bourbon mash bill and initially aged for 7 years in used oak before spending an additional 5 years in new charred oak. The other component is a straight bourbon. The result is a 90-proof American Whiskey carrying a suggested retail price of $57.99.

Details – Kentucke County 12 Year Old American Whiskey Review

• Company: 15 STARS
• Whiskey: Kentucke County 12 Year Old American Whiskey
• Type: American Whiskey
• Composition: Straight bourbon blended with whiskey distilled from a bourbon mash bill and aged 7 years in used oak followed by 5 years in new charred oak
• Age: 12 years old
• Proof: 90 proof
• ABV: 45%
• SRP: $57.99
• Release: Part of the Kentucke County commemorative series honoring America’s 250th anniversary

Tasting Notes – Kentucke County 12 Year Old American Whiskey Review

Let’s taste it:

🛏 Rested: 15 minutes in a Glencairn glass

👉🏻 Nose: Toffee, sweet cherry candy; Juicy Fruit gum, tart orange and light oak; alcohol vapor fairly light and appropriate for the proof.
👉🏻 Taste: Fairly light and mildly sweet, with caramel, vanilla, mild tannins and oak; becoming drier later on.
👉🏻 Finish: Lingering sweet caramel, oak, mild black pepper; fairly dry with mild tannins; medium length.

Classic Mature Bourbon Notes At A Low Proof – Kentucke County 12 Year Old American Whiskey by 15 STARS Review

While this whiskey is fairly light-bodied, which is not unexpected given its proof, it has pleasant and fairly classic bourbon flavors. The age is made evident by the presence of oak, which is there throughout, becoming increasingly noticeable as each sip progresses. However, it is never at all overbearing, although one wonders if it might be at a higher proof. Would it be over-oaked? We can not know for sure.

The nose has quite a bit of fruit, but the palate turns to the more classic bourbon flavors, with mild oak and tannins related to its 12-year age. As would be expected, the finish is fairly dry, with continued mild tannins and oak.

A Well-Aged Whiskey That Drinks Like Bourbon

Overall, Kentucke County 12 Year Old American Whiskey by 15 STARS is a very enjoyable pour. Although technically a whiskey, I would challenge anyone to not guess it’s a bourbon. And that’s not a surprise. The whiskey component has aged 5 years in new charred oak, which is as long as many bourbons. Then it is blended with a straight bourbon. So, it absolutely should have the characteristics of a bourbon.

Kentucke County 12 Year Old American Whiskey has a nice mix of mature bourbon notes with pleasant fruit in the nose, followed by caramel, vanilla, oak and mild tannins on the palate and finish. Anyone who appreciates those well-aged bourbon flavors, albeit on the lighter side due to its 90 proof, should enjoy this pour. And for the price, you’re not likely to find anything else similar.

Have you tried Kentucke County 12 Year Old American Whiskey by 15 STARS? What did you think? Cheers!🥃

We hope you have enjoyed our Kentucke County 12 Year Old American Whiskey Review! Next read these related reviews: Kentucke County Bourbon Aged 6 Years by 15 STARS Review and 15 STARS First West Toasted Oak Finish Bourbon Review.

Note: This sample was graciously provided by the Brand for my review. I appreciate it!

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