Frank August Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon

Frank August Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon. Frank August, Lexington, Kentucky — a high-proof small batch bourbon built on a philosophy of open, honest, and sincere craft — bottled at 100 proof from a carefully selected blend of barrels, delivering caramel and vanilla aromatics alongside warm oak and gentle spice with a smooth, full-bodied character that reflects the brand's commitment to letting quality aging speak without artifice.

Frank August launched in 2021 as a Lexington-based bourbon brand with a distinct creative identity: rather than leaning on heritage or founder mythology, the brand frames every release around craft transparency and aesthetic precision. The name itself — Frank August — is not a person but a philosophy: frank as in honest and direct, August as in dignified and serious. The packaging reflects this — minimal, architectural, and immediately recognizable on a shelf crowded with brands competing on rustic nostalgia.

The Small Batch is the brand's flagship expression and the one that introduced Frank August to the broader bourbon market. It sources Kentucky straight bourbon distillate from established Kentucky producers and blends it in small batches at 100 proof — a deliberately higher proof than the 80–90 proof range where most accessible bourbons sit, giving the finished product more character, more presence, and a longer finish than lower-proof alternatives. The result is a bourbon that works equally well as an introduction to the Frank August lineup and as a serious sipper that rewards attention.

Tasting Notes

• Nose: Caramel and vanilla lead with warm oak and gentle baking spice. The 100 proof carries the aromatics with authority without harshness — inviting and characterful.
• Palate: Smooth and full-bodied for the proof. Caramel and vanilla from the oak aging, complemented by warm spice and a refined grain sweetness. The small batch blending creates consistency and balance across releases.
• Finish: Warm and moderately long with caramel, oak, and spice persisting cleanly. The 100 proof sustains the finish noticeably longer than 80–90 proof expressions from comparable price points.

Specs

• Producer: Frank August, Lexington, Kentucky (est. 2021)
• Style: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Small Batch
• Sourcing: Kentucky straight bourbon distillate, small batch blended
• ABV: 50% (100 Proof)
• Size: 750ml

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Frequently Asked Questions

• What does Frank August Small Batch taste like? Caramel and vanilla with warm oak and gentle spice on the nose. Smooth and full-bodied on the palate with caramel, vanilla, and refined grain sweetness. Warm, moderately long finish with persistent caramel, oak, and spice.
• What does Frank August mean? Frank August is not a person — it is a philosophy. Frank means honest and direct; August means dignified and serious. The brand uses this as a foundation for its commitment to craft transparency across every release, from the flagship Small Batch to the experimental Case Study series.
• Why is it bottled at 100 proof? 100 proof (50% ABV) is deliberately higher than the 80–90 proof range where most accessible bourbons sit. The higher proof gives the bourbon more character, more presence in cocktails, and a longer finish than lower-proof expressions — reflecting the brand's philosophy that a serious bourbon should taste like one.
• How does the Small Batch relate to the Frank August Case Study series? The Small Batch is the consistent, accessible flagship — the bourbon Frank August built their reputation on. The Case Study series (01 Mizunara, 02, 03 Winter Cover Rye, 04 4X Oaked) are limited experimental releases that explore specific finishing techniques, grain bills, or barrel programs. Small Batch for the everyday; Case Study for the collector and enthusiast.
• Is Frank August a distillery? Frank August is a Lexington, Kentucky-based bourbon brand that sources Kentucky straight bourbon distillate and blends it in small batches. Like many respected American whiskey brands, the value is in the blending, proofing, and curation rather than distillation from grain. The Case Study series explores more specific and experimental production approaches.