Brown Formans King of Kentucky Small Batch 12 Year Old Batch 1 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey 700ml

Brown-Forman's King of Kentucky Small Batch 12 Year Old (Batch 1) Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is a 105 proof (52.5% ABV) non-chill filtered ultra-premium spirit released in February 2026. Serving as the inaugural, most dessert-forward baseline entry in an exclusive three-part small batch series, this collection was specially blended to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States. Packaged in an elegant, export-style 700ml bottle format, Batch 1 is composed of an undisclosed blend of rare stocks matured between 12 and 18 years. It marks a historic milestone for the legendary label's modern revival, stepping away from strictly single-barrel allocations to showcase the exquisite harmony achieved through meticulous micro-batching.

The entire identity and physical composition of this release stem from extreme environmental wood interactions and a highly dramatic evaporation process. Brown-Forman’s master distillation team originally set aside these exceptional barrels inside their legendary, heat-cycled warehouses in Louisville, Kentucky. The aggressive mechanical temperature spikes in these facilities maintain a constant 80 to 90°F range, forcing the spirit to expand violently in and out of the charred oak staves. While this process drastically accelerates maturation, it triggers an unforgiving angel's share evaporation loss, leaving some barrels with nearly 85% of their original liquid missing. Because these low-yielding casks were too scarce for individual single-barrel bottlings, Master Distiller Emeritus Chris Morris combined roughly 100 honey barrels per batch, using Batch 1 to establish the softest, cleanest foundation of the series.

The liquid architecture was explicitly fine-tuned by the blending team to champion a remarkably unique, bright confectionery profile without the heavy tannin bite often associated with extended wood contact. For this commemorative 2026 series, the distillery utilized a modified, rye-forward mash bill consisting of 75% corn, 15% rye, and 10% malted barley, providing a spicier, more structured framework than the brand's standard historical recipe. While subsequent batches push into higher proofs, the blending team designated the exact 105 proof mark for Batch 1. This deliberate execution ensures that the spirit highlights bright fruit esters, rich sugars, and soft vanilla notes, providing a silky, velvety mouthfeel that handles the alcohol heat with absolute elegance.

The bourbon’s sensory profile delivers a beautifully distinct, multi-layered tasting experience that presents a highly refreshing twist on hyper-aged whiskey profiles. The journey opens on a highly fragrant nose dominated by rich gobs of caramel, dark chocolate, sweet toasted marshmallow, and fragrant tobacco leaf, beautifully lifted by an unconventional hint of fresh cantaloupe and cucumber water. The palate delivers an incredibly viscous, tongue-coating mouthfeel packed with prominent layers of buttery caramel, milk chocolate, dried apricot, and clove spice, seamlessly balanced by tart raspberry and a late spike of cinnamon red hots. It concludes on a clean, silky, and sweet finish where warm honeycomb, soft oak, and a touch of candied orange slowly soften across the tongue.

For high-end spirits investors and serious whiskey connoisseurs, this Batch 1 release represents a historic and highly coveted milestone in independent American blending. Because it represents the very first blended chapter in the modern history of one of bourbon's most exclusive labels, securing a bottle adds an irreplaceable anchor to any premium collection. It occupies an exalted slot within the broader [Brown-Forman](https://canawineco.com) portfolio, tracking alongside their legendary [King of Kentucky Single Barrels](https://sipwhiskey.com) and sought-after [Old Forester Birthday Bourbons](https://liquoronbroadway.com) as a definitive gold standard of hyper-concentrated luxury craftsmanship.

• Size: 700ml
• Proof: 105 Proof (52.5% ABV)
• Age: 12 Years Old (A small batch blend of straight bourbons aged 12 to 18 years)
• Origin: Louisville, Kentucky, USA
• Distillery: Brown-Forman Distillery
• Whiskey Type: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (Small Batch, Non-Chill Filtered)
• Cask/Cooperage: Fire-charred New White American Oak; Matured in proprietary heat-cycled warehouses
• Bottling: Released February 2026; limited inaugural small batch commemorating the US Semiquincentennial
• Series: King of Kentucky 2026 Small Batch Series (Batch 1 of 3)
• Selection: Masterminded by Chris Morris to showcase an approachable, dessert-forward fruit profile from ultra-evaporated barrels
• Tasting Notes: Nose: Deep caramel, dark chocolate, toasted marshmallow, tobacco leaf, potpourri, fresh cantaloupe, and cucumber water. Palate: Thick and silky with milk chocolate, buttery caramel, dried apricot, clove, tart raspberry, and cinnamon red hots. Finish: Short, clean, and sweet with honeycomb, candied orange, soft oak, and vanilla.