Blade and Bow 22 Year Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

22 years in new American oak. Aged at the legendary Stitzel-Weller Distillery using their historic Solera System. One of the oldest ongoing bourbon expressions in the market.

22 years is genuinely ancient for American bourbon. While Scotch whisky enthusiasts routinely encounter 18, 21, and 25-year expressions, the American climate — hot summers driving rapid extraction, cold winters pulling it back — accelerates the maturation timeline considerably. A bourbon aged 22 years in Kentucky has experienced the equivalent of far more European oak contact than a similarly aged Scotch. The result, when barrel selection is right, is a bourbon of extraordinary depth: rich toffee, tobacco, cherry, and oak that has been thoroughly integrated rather than harsh.

Blade and Bow is produced by Diageo and aged at the Stitzel-Weller Distillery in Louisville — the historic facility that was home to Pappy Van Winkle's original operation and is one of the most storied addresses in American bourbon. The Solera System at Stitzel-Weller preserves some of the oldest whiskey stocks from the distillery's heritage production, and the 22 Year draws on this aging infrastructure to produce an expression that is as much a tribute to place as to time.

Tasting Notes

• Appearance: Deep amber — rich and dark from two decades of barrel contact.
• Nose: Charcoal, honeyed oak, and vanilla beans.
• Palate: Deep syrupy flavors of toffee, tobacco, and cherry — well-balanced, avoiding the excessive tannin that can make very old bourbon astringent. Caramel, marzipan, buttered toast, and candied orange.
• Finish: Smooth and oaky with a hint of sweetness and lingering citrus and chocolate.

The Stitzel-Weller Connection

Stitzel-Weller Distillery was founded in 1935 by Julian P. "Pappy" Van Winkle and operated until 1992 — producing the wheated bourbon that became the foundation of the Van Winkle family's legacy. Today the facility is used for aging and bottling by Diageo, and the Blade and Bow 22 Year is one of the most direct ongoing connections to the building's bourbon heritage.

Specs

• Producer: Diageo / Blade and Bow, Louisville, Kentucky
• Aging facility: Stitzel-Weller Distillery
• Style: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• Mashbill: 86% corn, 8% barley, 6% rye
• Age: 22 years
• Cask: New American oak
• Size: 750ml

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Frequently Asked Questions

• Why is 22 years unusual for bourbon? American bourbon ages in new charred oak in a climate with extreme seasonal temperature variation — hot Kentucky summers drive bourbon deep into the wood, producing rapid extraction compared to Scottish or Irish aging. Most bourbons peak between 8–18 years; at 22 years, careful barrel selection is essential to avoid over-oaking. Blade and Bow's Solera System helps manage this.
• What is the Solera System at Stitzel-Weller? The Solera System preserves some of the oldest whiskey stocks from Stitzel-Weller's production heritage by never fully emptying aged barrels — new spirit is added to barrels that retain a portion of the older stock. This process maintains continuity with the distillery's historic production while developing new spirit alongside the heritage liquid.
• What is the connection to Pappy Van Winkle? Stitzel-Weller was founded by Julian P. "Pappy" Van Winkle and was the home of the Van Winkle family's bourbon production until the distillery was sold in 1972. Blade and Bow's aging at this facility is a direct connection to one of the most storied addresses in American bourbon history.
• Is Blade and Bow 22 Year a limited release? Yes — it is released at various intervals rather than continuously, and availability varies significantly. The advanced age and Stitzel-Weller heritage make it one of the more collected expressions in the Diageo bourbon portfolio.