Brown-Forman King of Kentucky 2023 Bourbon Review | The Daily Pour
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Brown-Forman King of Kentucky 2023 Bourbon

Bourbon Brown-Forman King of Kentucky
  • Distiller

    Old Forester

  • Bottler

    Old Forester

  • ABV

    62.9%

  • Age

    16 Years

  • Price $200+

Distilled by Brown-Forman and composed of 51 barrels, this year's King of Kentucky release is a monster: 16 years old and bottled at 62.9% ABV. Each barrel in this batch was distilled on July 19, 2007, and produced from a mashbill of 79% corn, 11% rye and 10% malted barley. With about 3,800 bottles hitting the market and an MSRP of $300, it's sure to be a hot release. Worth the hunt? Let's find out.

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Aggregated Reviews
  • Raided Score: 95
  • The Whiskey Wash
  • By Nino Kilgore-Marchetti
  • The challenges of bottling older bourbons while avoiding over oaking prove in this case to be no challenge at all, resulting in an American whiskey which showcases the ability of a strong distillery team to master older barrels.
  • Read Full Review
  • Raided Score: 95
  • VinePair
  • By David Thomas Tao
  • That said, 2023’s King of Kentucky is a delicious, rich, and vibrant bourbon that brings familiar flavor with a few tiny curveballs.
  • Read Full Review
  • Raided Score: 92
  • Malt Review
  • By Frank Dobbins
  • The 2023 King of Kentucky proves yet again to be a superlative whiskey, offering the regal experience one dreams of when spending a few hundred dollars on a liquid.
  • Read Full Review
  • Raided Score: 95
  • The Whiskey Reviewer
  • By Richard Thomas
  • This particular batch of King of Kentucky — and keep in mind, it’s only one example of 51 — is velvety, full-bodied, a little sophisticated and supremely delicious.
  • Read Full Review
  • Raided Score: 95
  • Breaking Bourbon
  • By Eric Hasman
  • The 2023 release of King of Kentucky is once again king of Brown-Forman’s portfolio. It sticks with the mantra, “if it ain't broke, don’t fix it,” and while that could lead to stagnation and complacency, this is one release that doesn’t need to change a thing besides being more readily available for all.
  • Read Full Review
  • Raided Score: 92
  • The Daily Pour
  • By T8ke
  • It's easy to love and easier to sip, and I only wish it would be easier to find
  • Read Full Review

Raided Score is a conversion from an external site's score, to our in house uniform scoring system. Please see the FAQ for more.

House Review
  • Nose:

    Big and bold, there's monster maple and tobacco, big fig, cherry, espresso, cocoa and big vanilla bean sweetness. It's a bit deceptive on the nose; it'd be tough to tell this is north of 60% ABV, and it's very enticing on first smell.

  • Taste:

    Rich on the palate, it's viscous and textured, full of oak, cherry, a hint of banana and barrel char, molasses, and more tobacco. King of Kentucky 2023 is rich and decadent, and I could sip it all day.

  • Finish:

    Moderate finish that shows a bit more heat and baking spice compared to the palate. The oak starts to drive here, combining pepper, clove, Luxardo cherry, tobacco and hefty tannin.

  • Overall:

    This year's King is a beast. King of 2023? That's a conversation for another day, but King of Kentucky balances oak and big flavors, enticing dessert and a bruiser ABV with ease. It's easy to love and easier to sip, and I only wish it would be easier to find.

  • Score:

    92

  • Disclosure: The producer provided this sample to review free of charge, and without expectation of review or rating.

  • By T8ke
  • Our in house critic rates spirits on a scale of 0-10 (10 best) and is aggregated the same as external sources