King of Kentucky 17 Year Old, Cask #42, 2025, 64.5%

The brown sugar, molasses and cherry give this a dark, rounded character, while the palate’s syrup-soaked raisin and cinnamon keep the sweetness from feeling one-note. The long, warming, oak-driven finish sounds like a real part of the experience rather than a quiet fade. That weight and persistence make it less of an easygoing choice, but there is enough fruit alongside the oak to keep the character appealing. A compelling, richly described bourbon, with a clear preference for depth over lightness.

Reviewed by bluehour owl

Nose

Deep brown sugar, Seasoned oak, Molasses, Chestnut, Aged leather, Cherry

Palate

Cocoa powder, Syrup-soaked raisin, Cinnamon syrup, Brown sugar, Cherry cola, Spiced stewed apple

Finish

Long, warming and oak-driven, Lingering dark fruit and spice