King of Kentucky marks US semiquincentennial
Brown-Forman-owned King of Kentucky Bourbon has launched its 2026 limited edition small batch release to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the US.
The King of Kentucky brand, first created in 1881, is named to honour thoroughbred horse racing, often referred to as ‘the sport of kings’.
Brown-Forman has owned the brand since 1936 and revived it in 2018. The brand is produced at the company’s distillery in Shively, Kentucky.
Following last year’s limited edition 17-year-old single barrel expression in October, the brand is back in 2026 with a small batch of Bourbon.
The release celebrates 250 years since the founding of the US and the creation of Kentucky County, Virginia, which became the state of Kentucky.
Chris Morris, Brown-Forman master distiller emeritus, said: “For years, I’ve held onto these rare, aged barrels, waiting for a moment significant enough to share them. To celebrate the founding of our country with a whiskey of this calibre feels like the perfect tribute.”
For the first time, King of Kentucky has introduced a three-batch series, with each batch bottled at a different ABV. Batch One is offered at 105 proof (52.5% ABV), Batch Two at 107.5 proof (53.75% ABV), and Batch Three at 110 proof (55% ABV).
Each batch comprises barrels aged 12 to 18 years. According to the brand, some barrels experienced an exceptionally high angel’s share, leaving 16% of the liquid after years of evaporation.
King of Kentucky Small Batch will be released in limited quantities at a suggested retail price of US$299 per bottle in select markets across the US.
Last year, The Spirits Business interviewed Eveline Albarracin, managing director of Brown-Forman and chair of the Asia Pacific International Spirits and Wines Alliance, to discuss the opportunities and challenges within the Asia Pacific market.
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