Blended by Irish Whiskey maker Louise McGuane of J.J. Corry Irish Whiskey, the Kentucky Owl St. Patrick’s Limited Edition is a celebration of Irish and Kentucky whiskey traditions… or something like that. The whiskey itself is a blend of 4-11 yo Bourbon that was co-blended by Kentucky Owl’s John Rhea and the aforementioned Louise. An interesting take to have a guest blender, though far from the first “Irish-Bourbon” whiskey.
A few years ago I reviewed the John L. Sullivan Irish Bourbon, a brand that only lasted one year on the market because its label was not TTB compliant despite having passed through TTB approval (happens all the time). The Sullivan was a blend of Irish Single Malt and Bourbon and it was actually quite good. Which is exactly what I’m wondering about with this KO: is it any good?
Let’s get to drinkin’ and find out!
Kentucky Owl St. Patrick’s Limited Edition – Details and Tasting Notes
Whiskey Details
Non-Chill Filtered | Natural Color
Style: Bourbon (Straight)
Region: Kentucky, USA
Distiller: Undisclosed
Blender/Bottler: Kentucky Owl
Mash Bill: At least 51% Corn + Rye + Malted Barley
Cask: New Charred Oak
Age: 4+ years
ABV: 50%
Batch: St. Patrick’s Edition
Release: 1
Kentucky Owl St. Patrick’s Limited Edition Price: $150*
Related Whiskey
Kentucky Owl Confiscated Bourbon
John L. Sullivan Irish Bourbon
Old Bardstown Bourbon
Barton 1792 Small Batch
Ezra Brooks Bourbon
Kentucky Owl St. Patrick’s Limited Edition Tasting Notes
EYE
Amber
NOSE
Graham cracker, corn, vanilla, oak, toffee, baking spice and a touch of cocoa.
There’s something in there that’s almost a fruity sweetness, but not quite. An intriguing sweet note.
PALATE
Caramel, oak, graham, cocoa, vanilla, baking spice and some leather with a bit of nuts.
This is one of the spicier Kentucky Owl bourbons I’ve tasted.
FINISH
Med-long -> Baking spice, oak and some citrus pop in before fading to hazelnuts and vanilla.
BALANCE, BODY and FEEL
Decent balance, medium body and a soft velvety feel.
Kentucky Owl St. Patrick’s Limited Edition – Overall Thoughts and Score
As it opens the nose picks up a bit more oak and gets a bit darker, and sweeter, overall with the toffee note rising up a bit more. On the palate, the spice and oak slowly build till they’re the dominant character and the sweetness moves toward the back. After a while, the aroma and the palate diverge in the overall profile.
Not a bad bourbon at all. The most intriguing thing about the Kentucky Owl St. Patrick’s Limited Edition are the spice notes that slowly grow as it opens. After a while, it almost becomes a spice bomb and that’s not something I’ve had in a bourbon in a while.
SCORE: 3.5/5 (tasty, worth checking out ~ B | 83-86)
*Disclosure: The bottle for this bourbon review was graciously sent to me by the company without obligation. The views, opinions, and tasting notes are 100% my own.
Kentucky Owl St. Patrick’s Limited Edition Review $150
Overall
3.5- Nose (3.5)
- Palate (3.5)
- Finish (3.5)
- BBF (3.5)
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