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 individually selected single barrel. This bottle is from Warehouse I, Floor 2, at 130+ proof.
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, each barrel is bottled on its own rather than batched, and every bottle carries its own barrel number, bottle number, and proof — 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. This particular bottle was drawn from Warehouse I, Floor 2 and bottled at 130+ proof — uncut and non-chill filtered, carrying the full depth and intensity of its single barrel.
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
Barrel Position: Warehouse I, Floor 2
Proof: 130+ proof
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 proof is this bottle?
This single barrel is bottled at 130+ proof, uncut and non-chill filtered. King of Kentucky is bottled at barrel proof, so the figure is set by the individual barrel and printed on each bottle.
Which barrel is this?
This bottle was drawn from Warehouse I, Floor 2. Each King of Kentucky barrel is bottled separately and carries 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. Barrel proof, single-barrel bottling, and the wax-dipped canister presentation stay the same.
