King Of Kentucky 2021 Release Details
King of Kentucky bourbon is an annual release of single barrel inventory, which is also barrel strength and minimally-filtered proof presentation. Like the general concept behind single barrel releases, each barrel is somewhat unique to the next. For the 2021 King of Kentucky bourbon release, Brown-Forman Master Distiller Chris Morris hand-picked 33 barrels that have been aging for 14 years.
The 2021 King of Kentucky bourbon release brings about the fourth edition of this allocated bourbon release from Brown-Forman. The limited release will produce approximately 2,700 bottles that will be distributed across three states nearby Kentucky.
King of Kentucky bourbon has a storied history, similar to its parent company Brown-Forman. It has also saw its fair share of transformations over the years. Although it was established in 1881 as aKentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Brown-Forman made an acquisition for the brand in 1936 from Select Kentucky Distillers. By 1940 the expression was converted to a blended whiskey until it was phased out in 1968. That is, until the label was revived in 2018 and reintroduced to Brown-Forman’s portfolio as a Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey once again. Therefore, this 2021 release marks the 4th annual release since it’s reintroduction.
The annual 2021 expression is official! Brown-Forman Distillery announced release details on the King of Kentucky bourbon in September. This highly anticipated drop is featured on our bourbon release calendar for those bourbon hunters with an eagle eye. We review everything bourbon lovers need to know from price to proof.
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“This year’s release comes from two production days-14 years ago-but a mere twelve days apart,” said Master Distiller Chris Morris. “Given the fact that each bottling is of a single barrel, the very slight difference in age is undetectable. All the barrels that were selected for this year are of the highest quality.”
Review & Tasting Notes
The 2021 King of Kentucky Single Barrel barrel strength release consists of 33 hand-picked barrels by Master Distiller Chris Morris. The yield of those select barrels was only 30% however. That juice comes from two different distillations that have been aging in white oak barrels for 14 years and then non-chill filtered.
Although this single barrel expression varies from barrel to barrel, year to year, it’s kept the same loose specs over the recent years. We’ve outlined the overview of each expression since its reintroduction in 2018.
- 2021: 14-year-old bourbon (Average Proof 130 proof)
- 2020: 14-year-old bourbon (Cask Strength – Single Barrel – Proofs range from 125-135)
- 2019: 15-year-old bourbon (Average Proof: 131 — proofs range from 125-135)
- 2018: 14-year-old bourbon (Average Proof 132.9)
Color
Mahogany
Nose
Aroma: Deep notes of dried fig, dark caramel, and vanilla bean with a light chocolate sweetness all sharpened with a hint of caramelized orange and lemon peels and a pinch of cinnamon.
Palate
Taste: Dark caramel and dried fruit coat a layer of dark baking spices and toasted coconut notes brightened with crisp notes of citrus.
Finish
Crisp and dry with a hint of apple and citrus fruit.
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Release Date & Availability
The King Of Kentucky Bourbon makes it way on shelves in September, 2021. For the 2021 release, there will be an allocation of 2,700 bottles available within Kentucky and nearby states. While Kentucky itself will see a majority of the release,Illinois and Ohio will also see limited amounts of the distribution.
Nonetheless, 2,700 bottles is the highest count of allocation since the reintroduction in the fall of 2018.
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Proof & ABV
This King Of Kentucky Single Barrel release is bottled at a stiff 130 proof. The 130-proofing is the equivalent of 65% ABV. This is a barrel-strength expression which is aminimally-filtered proof presentation.
Mash Bill
For King of Kentucky 2021, the mash bill specs consist of 79% corn, 11% rye, 10% malted barley. This has became the standard mashbill of this expression for 2018, 2019, 2020, and now 2021.
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MSRP & Secondary Price
This King of Kentucky bourbon release is available in a 750ml bottle with a MSRP of $249.99. This LE Small Batch has an MSRP of $150. Being as it is a highly sought after offering with limited allocation of only 2,700 bottles in only a few states, secondary market prices will demand many times over that that retail price. Historically those secondary prices have gotten into the thousands of dollars.
Suggested retail pricing is officially set for $249.99. However, anyone who has looked for King of Kentucky Single Barrel for sale, you can attest that it is a major find if you can spot it in the wild. Therefore, if you’re willing to pay secondary prices just to score a bottle, get ready to pay several times over that SRP price tag.
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