The King of Kentucky 14 year bourbon returns from 99 barrels at 125 to 135 proof for $399.99. See the tasting notes and what the label tells you.
Fifty-one barrels from the third floor of Warehouse I.
Forty-eight from the first floor of Warehouse L.
Every one of them 14 years old. That is the entire recipe behind the 2026 King of Kentucky 14 year bourbon, and it is more specific than most whiskey labels dare to be.
Brown-Forman, which calls the brand one of the most sought-after bottles in American whiskey, is releasing this single barrel expression at proofs between 125 and 135, in limited quantities, for a suggested $399.99.
The release names its warehouses, counts its barrels and numbers its bottles by hand. Here is what is in them, how they were made, and what the people behind them say.
Where the 99 Barrels Came From
The 2026 release is drawn from two 14-year-old lots totaling 99 barrels, all matured at the Brown-Forman Distillery. Of those, 51 matured on the third floor of Warehouse I and 48 on the first floor of Warehouse L. The release does not say how the two floors differ in the glass, so we will not guess. It does say that proofs run from 125 to 135, a ten-point spread inside a single release.
Ninety-nine barrels is a short list by whiskey standards and a very long one by the standards of anyone trying to buy a bottle.
The bourbon will reach limited quantities in select markets nationwide.
How the King of Kentucky 14 Year Bourbon Tastes, According to Brown-Forman
These are the brand’s own tasting notes. They have not been tested by us.
The aroma is fruit-forward, with orange zest, rich caramel, dark chocolate and toasted marshmallow, all layered over a balanced, nutty oak character.
Note the word balanced. The sweetness sits on top of the oak, not in place of it.
On the palate, dark maple syrup coats layers of orange zest, vanilla wafers and a touch of baked banana.
Maple, vanilla wafer and baked banana are the vocabulary of a bakery counter, set here against a proof that runs from 125 to 135.
The finish is described as exceptionally long, with silky-smooth notes of caramel and chocolate.
The notes close where the aroma opened, on caramel and chocolate, which is a tidy way for a whiskey to hold together.
Filled, Dipped and Numbered by Hand
Every bottle is filled, bottled, wax-dipped and numbered by hand, then presented inside a custom canister. The label carries the proof, age, warehouse location, lot number, serial number and barrel number.
For a buyer, the printed detail is the useful part. Bottles of this King of Kentucky 14 year bourbon run from 125 to 135 proof, and the label tells you which warehouse and which barrel yours came from. The wax is the visible craft. The provenance is the practical one, and it is worth reading before the bottle is opened.
The suggested retail price is $399.99, a figure that rounds to $400 in every mind but the one that printed it.
What the Distillery Says
“This year’s King of Kentucky is a remarkable expression of what time, careful maturation and thoughtful barrel selection can create,” said Caleb Trigo, Assistant Master Distiller. “Each of these 99 barrels was selected for its exceptional character, and after 14 years of aging, they deliver the bold, complex profile that defines King of Kentucky.”
The claim is specific in one respect. Ninety-nine barrels were selected, not “happened to be available.”
A Brand With a Gap in Its History
King of Kentucky was established in 1881 as a Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. Brown-Forman acquired the brand in 1936 from Selected Kentucky Distillers and discontinued it in 1968. In 2018, the company revived the label, paying homage to the brand’s past, and it continues that tradition with this high-proof expression. You can read more about the producer at Brown-Forman.
Flavor and Patience in the Glass
If you find a bottle, read the label first: warehouse, lot, serial and barrel number are all printed on it. Then pour a small measure and take your time. The 2026 King of Kentucky 14 year bourbon is built from 14 years of aging, and the brand’s tasting notes suggest it rewards patience in the glass.
FAQ
How much does the 2026 King of Kentucky cost?
The suggested retail price is $399.99. It is available in limited quantities in select markets nationwide, so what a store charges may vary.
How old is the 2026 King of Kentucky and what proof is it?
It is 14 years old and bottled at 125 to 135 proof. It comes from two lots totaling 99 barrels: 51 from Warehouse I and 48 from Warehouse L at the Brown-Forman Distillery.
What does King of Kentucky 2026 taste like?
Brown-Forman describes orange zest, rich caramel, dark chocolate and toasted marshmallow on the nose, with dark maple syrup, vanilla wafers and baked banana on the palate. The finish is described as exceptionally long, with caramel and chocolate.
