Kentucky bourbon is made in Kentucky and tends to follow the practices outlined in the Bottled in Bond Act that was passed in 1897. You’ll find that most types of Kentucky bourbon tend to be made with a corn-heavy mash that’s greater than 51%, but there can be some variations.
Kentucky bourbon has an amber color, spicy flavor profile, and comes in a wide range of age, price, and flavors. While there is a lot to learn about Kentucky bourbon, we’re here to help. This article covers what Kentucky bourbon is, the best Kentucky bourbon, and factors to consider while you’re shopping.
Read on to learn more below.
What You Need to Know About Kentucky Bourbon
Kentucky bourbon is made in Kentucky, which may seem obvious, but many distilleries make Kentucky bourbon that’s not quite 100% pure Kentucky bourbon. For this reason, we wanted to reinforce the fact that Kentucky bourbon is made and bottled in Kentucky.
Aside from being made in Kentucky, the whiskey must have a mash bill that consists of more than 51% corn. These factors aside, expect to spend a similar amount of money on Kentucky bourbon as you would on other whiskey products. While it should be available in most regions, you’ll have the best luck finding it in Kentucky.
Kentucky Bourbon: An Overview
Kentucky bourbon, first and foremost, is made in Kentucky. If you’re shopping for a bourbon that’s not from Kentucky, we’ll, there’s a good chance that it’s not Kentucky bourbon. We’re firm on the whole Kentucky thing because American bourbons can trace their 18th-century lineage to the Kentucky region.
What makes a Kentucky bourbon special is how it’s made. In 1897 the Bottled in Bond Act was passed, which created guidelines for what an American bourbon should be. Ever since, Kentucky whiskey has been known for following those practices to ensure that Kentucky bourbon remains true to its roots.
Today, Kentucky bourbon has an amber color, spicy taste, and a mash bill that contains locally sourced ingredients from Kentucky. While there is some variation in each Kentucky whiskey, you’ll find that most of it will taste the same with slight changes in mouthfeel, spice, and other hints of flavor.
How to Choose the Best Kentucky Bourbon
Choosing the best Kentucky bourbon comes down to several factors. First and foremost, the bourbon should be distilled and bottled in Kentucky. We also recommend choosing Kentucky bourbon that’s made with ingredients that are locally sourced. This may seem redundant, but the last thing you want is Kentucky bourbon that’s made with a mash from Tennessee or another state in the area.
Aside from where it’s made, Kentucky bourbon should have a mash bill that’s mostly corn, with the best Kentucky bourbons being made with non-GMO corn. Other ingredients in the mash bill can add flavor, but they don’t have to be the primary selling point.
Another factor to consider is the age of Kentucky bourbon. You should look for Kentucky bourbon that’s aged for at least four years if you’re looking for a good sipping whiskey. You can use younger Kentucky bourbons for cocktails, like an Old Fashioned, if that’s something you’re interested in. As for the cost, that tends to correlate with price and the quality of the ingredients. Expect more expensive Kentucky bourbon to taste better.
What Does Kentucky Bourbon Cost?
You can expect to pay at least $40 for a decent bottle of Kentucky bourbon. While that’s what you’ll spend on the low end, a good bottle of Kentucky bourbon can cost around $90 to $100. In fact, some special releases may cost more than $100.
If you’re buying Kentucky bourbon in a bar or restaurant, expect to pay between $5 and $10 per shot. For top-shelf Kentucky bourbon, that price can climb well above $10, so keep that in mind when you’re looking to buy Kentucky bourbon.
Where Can You Buy Kentucky Bourbon
Kentucky bourbon can be found all over the United States, but the most common place to find it is in Kentucky. If you visit Kentucky, you’ll find plenty of Kentucky bourbon options, and this is common in other Southern states as well.
If you’re not in Kentucky, don’t worry, you can still get your hands on Kentucky bourbon. You can visit local liquor stores and see if they have any in stock or order Kentucky bourbon online. If you go the online route, we always recommend shopping with Speakeasyco.com. We can deliver some of the best Kentucky bourbon right to your door.
Best Kentucky Bourbon
The best Kentucky bourbon is one that’s made with locally sourced Kentucky ingredients, bottled in accordance with the Bottled in Bond Act, and sold at an affordable price.
That said, some Kentucky bourbon is better than others, so it’s important to choose the best Kentucky bourbon for you. Thankfully, we’re here to help. Read on to find some of the best Kentucky Bourbon whiskey options below.
1. New Riff Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
MSRP: $43.95
Proof: 100
Tasting Notes: Vanilla, Oak, spicy
Our Rating: 5 Stars
New Riff Distilling is one of the newer distilleries around. While they’re young, they’re one of the few distilleries that adhere to Kentucky whiskey standards. Their Kentucky Straight Bourbon is non-chill filtered and bottled in accordance with the Bottled-in-Bond-Act of 1897.
When it comes to flavor, New Riff doesn’t disappoint with their Kentucky Straight Bourbon. It’s made with 65% non-GMO corn, 5% malted barley, and 30% rye. The mash is aged for a minimum of four years in toasted American oak barrels that give it that spicy oak flavor bourbon lovers crave.
While New Riff Distilling is great at making Kentucky whiskey, they are newer than some other big names in the industry, so there aren’t as many reviews available.
Pros
- Made in accordance with the Bottled in Bond Act
- Affordable
- Non-GMO corn
Cons
- Newer distillery, so a few unknowns with this brand
2. Four Branches Bourbon
MSRP: $104.99
Proof: 96
Tasting Notes: Orange peel, vanilla bean, caramel, cinnamon spice
Our Rating: 4.5 Stars
Four Branches Bourbon is as Kentucky as it comes for a bourbon whiskey. It’s made in the Bourbon Capital of the World, Kentucky, so you don’t have to worry about some out-of-state bourbon claiming to be a Kentucky native with this one.
Four Branches Bourbon is made using the distillery’s favorite four-grain mash bill that consists of 65% corn, 15% rye, 10% malted barley, and 10% wheat. This combination of ingredients brings you a smooth and spicy bourbon whiskey with a welcoming mouthfeel and a long finish that will have you coming back for more.
The only downside to this Kentucky bourbon is that it’s more expensive than some of the other options we’ve covered. That said, it’s worth every penny.
Pros
- Four-grain mash bill offers a smoothness you can’t find in other bourbons
- Made in Kentucky
- A perfect balance of smooth and spicy
Cons
- More expensive than some other Kentucky bourbon whiskey options
3. Heaven’s Door Ascension Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
MSRP: $57.99
Proof: 92
Tasting Notes: Vanilla, spice, oak, cinnamon
Our Rating: 4 Stars
Heaven’s Door is one of the best distilleries in the game when it comes to bourbon and other types of whiskey. While Heaven’s Door is known for its Tennessee whiskey options, this take on a Kentucky whiskey is delicious, smooth, and spicy. It also adheres to the Bottled-in-Bond-Act of 1897, so it’s a classic Kentucky whiskey that would make Kentucky whiskey’s Founding Fathers happy.
The specifics of this batch are what make it special. It’s a one-of-a-kind blend of two Kentucky whiskey products, so you get more flavor for your buck with this one. Aside from the flavor, its non-chill filtered and only brewed in small batches by Heaven’s Door’s expert distiller. This gives the whiskey a little bit of an exclusiveness to it.
While it’s a great Kentucky whiskey, the biggest issue is that it’s made in small batches. Unfortunately, this helps and harms the whiskey because it can be hard to find at times.
Pros
- Non-chill filtered
- Adheres to Bottled-in-Bond-Act guidelines for a pure Kentucky whiskey
- Aged to perfection but affordable
Cons
- Not always available due to its release in small batches
Enjoy a Taste of Classic Kentucky Bourbon Today
Kentucky is the place where most American bourbon whiskey was made, so many Kentucky bourbons offer a lot of heritage. While many manufacturers claim to be pure, bottled-in-bond Kentucky bourbon, that’s not always the case. Therefore, you need to make sure the Kentucky bourbon you’re looking at is made properly to avoid running into any flavor or quality issues.
The good news is that all five of the Kentucky bourbons that we covered are pure Kentucky bourbon products. While there are differences between each of the whiskey products we covered, each one will have you sipping the history and heritage you deserve from a Kentucky bourbon.
