The 2026 King of Kentucky is a 14-year-old Kentucky straight bourbon bottled at full barrel proof and non-chill filtered, released by Brown-Forman as an ultra-premium, individually selected single barrel.
Brown-Forman first used the King of Kentucky name in 1881 and brought it back in 2018 as an ultra-premium annual single-barrel release. Each year's allocation is small, and each barrel is bottled on its own rather than batched, with every bottle carrying its own barrel and bottle number — which is why collectors track King of Kentucky by individual barrel rather than by vintage alone.
The 2026 release steps down to a 14-year age statement from the 16-year bottlings of recent years, and arrives in a 700ml bottle. As a single-barrel, barrel-proof bourbon, each bottle reflects the character of its own barrel, presented uncut and non-chill filtered for full depth and texture.
Tasting Notes
Notes published for the 2026 release as a whole. Because every bottle comes from a single barrel, the specific bottle you receive will vary.
Nose: Orange zest, rich caramel, dark chocolate, toasted marshmallow, and nutty oak.
Palate: Dark maple syrup and vanilla wafer, with bright orange zest and baked banana over concentrated sweetness and mature oak.
Finish: Long, with caramel, chocolate, and mature oak carrying through.
Specifications
Producer: Brown-Forman Distillers Co., Louisville, Kentucky
Brand: King of Kentucky
Release Year: 2026
Style: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Age Statement: 14 Years
Bottling: Single barrel, barrel proof, non-chill filtered
Bottle Size: 700mL
Packaging: Wax-dipped closure, hand-numbered, custom canister
Browse every year we carry in the King of Kentucky collection.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 2026 King of Kentucky?
It is Brown-Forman's 2026 ultra-premium single-barrel release — a 14-year Kentucky straight bourbon, bottled at barrel proof and non-chill filtered, with every bottle carrying its own barrel and bottle number.
How does the 2026 release differ from earlier King of Kentucky years?
The 2026 bottling carries a 14-year age statement, down from the 16-year statement used on the 2023 and 2024 releases, and it is packaged in a 700ml bottle. Single-barrel bottling and the wax-dipped canister presentation stay the same.
Why does each bottle differ?
King of Kentucky is bottled one barrel at a time rather than batched, so each bottle reflects the character of its individual barrel and carries its own barrel and bottle number.
