The 2026 Release of Brown-Forman's King of Kentucky 14-Year-Old Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, bottled from Barrel #28 at a cask-strength 130.3 Proof (65.15% ABV). Barreled on May 21, 2012, and matured for 14 years on the ground floor of Warehouse L (Floor 1, Rick 27), this single barrel yielded just 90 total bottles after 14 years of angel's share evaporation.

Please Note: We received two bottles from Barrel #28 (130.3 Proof, 90-bottle yield). Both bottles carry identical barrel, rickhouse, and proof specifications; the handwritten individual bottle number out of 90 will vary between our two available bottles.

2026 Barrel #28 Specifications & Provenance

• Producer / Distillery: Brown-Forman Distillers Co. (Louisville, KY — DSP-KY-354)
• Release Edition: October 2026 Annual Single Barrel Release (9th Modern Edition)
• Age Statement & Fill Date: 14 Years Old — Barreled 05/21/2012
• Proof / ABV: 130.3 Proof (65.15% Alcohol by Volume) — Uncut & Non-Chill Filtered
• Single Barrel Telemetry: Barrel #28 | Warehouse L | Location (Floor) 1 | Rick 27
• Total Barrel Yield: 90 Hand-Numbered Bottles (From the 99-Barrel 2026 Allocation)
• Mash Bill: 79% Corn, 11% Rye, 10% Malted Barley (Brown-Forman Sweet Mash)
• Master Distiller / Taster: Chris Morris (Master Distiller) & Heather Trigo (Master Taster)
• Bottle Size & Packaging: 700 mL Wax-Dipped Bottle in Embossed Lavender-Band Canister
• UPC / GTIN: 081128504526

Why Warehouse L, Floor 1 (Barrel #28) Stands Out in the 2026 Release

First established in 1881 and revived by Master Distiller Chris Morris in 2018 as an ultra-limited annual single barrel series, King of Kentucky showcases the rarest honey barrels in Brown-Forman's inventory. For the Fall 2026 Single Barrel release, Master Taster Heather Trigo selected just 99 barrels distilled in 2012—returning to the foundational 14-year age statement following 2025's 17-year release (63 barrels) and Spring 2026's 12-Year Small Batch anniversary trilogy.
The 2026 single barrels were drawn exclusively from two distinct aging environments: 51 barrels from Warehouse I (Floor 3) and 48 barrels from Warehouse L (Floor 1). Resting on the cool, earthen-floored bottom tier along Rick 27, Barrel #28 underwent a slow, humid 14-year maturation that concentrated its proof to 130.3 (65.15% ABV) while yielding only 90 bottles—preserving lush maple viscosity, dark chocolate depth, and bright citrus esters without over-oaked bitterness.

Tasting Notes (Barrel #28 — 130.3 Proof)

• Nose: Expressed orange zest, rich burnt caramel, bittersweet dark chocolate, and toasted marshmallow layered over roasted pecans and seasoned Kentucky oak.
• Palate: Full-bodied, non-chill filtered viscosity. Waves of dark Grade-A maple syrup, vanilla wafer, and baked banana unfold over concentrated brown sugar sweetness, baking spice, and mature 14-year oak.
• Finish: Long and enveloping; uncut 130.3-proof warmth fades gradually into lingering notes of dark cocoa, espresso, leather, and sweet barrel char.

King of Kentucky Release Comparison (2024–2026)

• 2026 Single Barrel (Fall — Barrel #28): 14 Years (Filled 05/21/2012) | 130.3 Proof (Release Range: 125–135 Proof) | 90 Bottles from Barrel #28 (99 Barrels Total) | 700 mL
• 2026 Small Batch (Spring): 12–18 Years | 105, 107.5 & 110 Proof | 3 Small Batch Blends (US 250th Anniversary) | 700 mL
• 2025 Single Barrel: 17 Years | 125–135.8 Proof | 63 Single Barrels (~5,000 Bottles) | 750 mL
• 2024 Single Barrel: 16 Years | 125–135.2 Proof | 63 Single Barrels (~5,100 Bottles) | 750 mL

Frequently Asked Questions:
What are the exact barrel details for this 2026 King of Kentucky bottle?Unlike blind pre-order listings, our in-stock bottles come directly from Barrel #28 of the October 2026 release, barreled on May 21, 2012, and matured in Warehouse L, Location (Floor) 1, Rick 27. It is bottled at 130.3 proof (65.15% ABV) from a total yield of 90 bottles. Because we have two bottles in stock from Barrel #28, the specific bottle number out of 90 will vary.

How does the Fall 2026 King of Kentucky Single Barrel differ from earlier releases?

Following 2024's 16-year and 2025's 17-year single barrel editions, the October 2026 Single Barrel returns to a 14-year age statement across 99 barrels (51 from Warehouse I, Floor 3; 48 from Warehouse L, Floor 1) and packages the single barrel release in a 700 mL bottle with a lavender specification band.