PaPaw’s Ridge Kentucky Straight Bourbon Review | Sweet Corn, Apple & Delicate Smoke

PaPaw’s Ridge
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Aged for at least 4 Years
86 Proof
SRP: $39.99
Review by Craig and Cynthia

Please enjoy our PaPaw’s Ridge Kentucky Straight Bourbon Review by Craig and Cynthia!

Background – PaPaw’s Ridge Kentucky Straight Bourbon Review

PaPaw’s Ridge Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is built around the Nethery family’s deep farming roots in Shelbyville, Kentucky. The name “PaPaw’s Ridge” comes from a remote location on the family farmland where Roy “PaPaw” Nethery spent time outdoors with his family, appreciating simple moments and good company.

Founded by Autumn Nethery, the brand focuses on honoring that family legacy while keeping the bourbon approachable and uncomplicated. Their website sums up the philosophy simply: “Unfussy, Quality Spirit. Just like PaPaw.”

PaPaw’s Ridge Bourbon is distilled at Rut ‘N Strut Distillery in Shelbyville, Kentucky, which has the same address of the distillery where Jeptha Creed whiskey is produced. The bourbon uses locally grown yellow corn from Shelbyville and is aged for at least four years before bottling.

Details – PaPaw’s Ridge Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Review

• Distillery/Brand: PaPaw’s Ridge
• Distillery: Rut ‘N Strut Distillery
• Whiskey: PaPaw’s Ridge Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• Type: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• Age: Aged for at least 4 years
• Mashbill: 80% Corn, 10% Rye, 10% Malted Barley
• Proof: 86 Proof
• MSRP: $39.99
• Distilled In: Shelbyville, Kentucky
• Key Ingredient: Locally grown yellow corn from Shelbyville, Kentucky
• Founder: Autumn Nethery
• Availability: Available online in more than 40 states and expanding nationally into retail stores

Tasting Notes – PaPaw’s Ridge Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Review

Let’s taste it:

🛏 Rested: 15 minutes in a Glencairn glass

Color: Straw

Craig:

👉🏻 Nose: Very light – Sweet corn forward, confectioners’ sugar, artificial vanilla, very faint oak and a smokiness like from a fireplace
👉🏻 Taste: Faint butterscotch, medium spice at the back of the throat, all dissipates very quickly, strawberry floral
👉🏻 Finish: Short

Cynthia:

👉🏻 Nose: Corn, dried green apple, smoky Japanese whiskey
👉🏻 Taste: Black tea, floral, caramel, and slight spice
👉🏻 Finish: Short

Craig: Sweet Corn, Light Smoke & Fleeting Spice

Nose (Craig): PaPaw’s Ridge Kentucky Straight Bourbon has a very light nose to it. It starts with a sweet corn-forward note, followed by some powdery confectioners’ sugar. This is followed by vanilla, but it’s the artificial vanilla in a bottle, not pure vanilla extract. You barely get any wood at all—just a very faint hint of oak if you really look for it—but there’s a cool whiff of campfire or fireplace smoke lurking in the background that helps cut through all that heavy sweetness.

Taste (Craig): On the palate, this one is pretty light. I get some faint butterscotch right upfront, along with an interesting strawberry floral note. A medium spice kicks in right at the back of the throat, but the biggest takeaway is how fast it goes away. The whole experience dissipates very quickly and does not really hang around.

Finish (Craig): The finish is too short and very light, just like the nose and palate. I wish it would hang around more for me to try and pull out additional notes.

Cynthia: Corn Sweetness, Tea Notes & Delicate Smoke

Nose (Cynthia): When I first brought the glass up, I was immediately greeted by that classic, inviting sweetness of fresh corn with a lovely touch of toast. It honestly reminded me of warm corn tortilla chips from my favorite Mexican restaurant. As I spent a little more time with it, the profile started to brighten up, shifting from that initial corn-forward note into crisp green apples, which eventually settled into the sweet, concentrated scent of freshly made apple chips. The real surprise was what was happening in the background. There was a faint, delicate whisper of bonfire smoke that really rounded things out, adding a sophisticated, earthy character that reminded me of some of my favorite Japanese whiskies.

Taste (Cynthia): On the first sip, I caught a delicate floral note that really reminded me of a light Darjeeling tea. After a few more tastes, the flavor profile opened up into sweet caramel apple and warm cinnamon. It has such a light and bright texture that makes the whole pour feel crisp and refreshing. It is perfect for a warm afternoon alongside a fruit dessert, or even just as a nice warm-up pour. I could honestly see myself sharing this bottle around a fall bonfire, perhaps paired with some apple treats or stirred into hot apple cider.

Finish (Cynthia): This bourbon wraps up with a clean finish that leaves you perfectly ready for the next sip.

Light, Easygoing & Built for Simple Enjoyment – PaPaw’s Ridge Kentucky Straight Bourbon Review

(Craig) – At the end of the day, this profiles way more like a light American whiskey than a traditional bourbon. Because it’s so light and sweet, it’s an incredibly easy sipper and makes for a perfect warm-up pour, especially when the weather is warm. You’ll definitely want to stick to drinking this one neat, though, because it would get absolutely buried in a cocktail—it’s just too sweet and delicate to hold its own against mixers. The whole experience kicks off with a nose full of sugary grain, confectioner’s sugar, and artificial vanilla, backed by a tiny hint of woodsmoke and almost zero oak. On the palate, it’s pretty fleeting, giving you a quick flash of faint butterscotch, a strawberry floral note, and a brief throat spice that vanishes almost the second you swallow. It’s not a powerhouse, but it is a nice, easygoing pour to start the night.

(Cynthia) – This bottle is an honest, reliable find that stays true to its roots. Whether you are winding down after a long day or looking for the perfect pour to share, it brings a sense of peace that feels just right. I really encourage you to grab a bottle and bring it along to your next summer picnic with friends. It is a true testament to the vision of Autumn Nethery of Jeptha Creed Distillery and the family legacy, reminding us all that this is an unfussy, quality spirit. Just like PaPaw, it is a bourbon made for good times with good people.

Have you tried PaPaw’s Ridge Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey? What did you think? Cheers!🥃

We hope you have enjoyed our PaPaw’s Ridge Kentucky Straight Bourbon Review by Craig and Cynthia! Next, read these related reviews: Jeptha Creed Red White & Blue Bourbon Review (Batch 4) and Jeptha Creed Wheated Bourbon Review.

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

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