Old Commonwealth Distillery Introduces New “Kentucky Nectar” Bourbon

Posted on by Scott Dilley

Kentucky Nectar is back for the first time since 1967. Old Commonwealth Distillery’s second release is a double barreled, cask strength, wheated Kentucky Straight Bourbon finished in honey casks.

Fast Facts about Kentucky Nectar:

  • Style: Finished Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
  • Mashbill: 64% corn, 24% wheat, 12% malted barley
  • Proof: 106 (53% ABV; cask strength)
  • Age: NAS
  • Price: $99.99
  • Availability: Online VIP sale begins November 14, 2024 at 11am EST.

More Details on Kentucky Nectar:

From a brand history perspective, Kentucky Nectar was born at the Mellwood Distillery, which evolved into General Distillers Corporation of Kentucky, decades ago. After a period of dormancy, Kentucky Nectar was last produced by Heaven Hill, as a private label brand for Chicago wine importers Geeting and Fromm, between 1957 and 1967. That 8-year-old bottled-in-bond Kentucky bourbon was of an unknown mashbill. While Kentucky Nectar wasn’t produced within any prior iteration of Old Commonwealth Distillery, the new owners of the Lawrenceburg facility were bullish on the brand.

Reviving vintage brands is our mission, combining our love for Kentucky history with our passion for whiskey. The Kentucky Nectar label fits perfectly within our portfolio of vintage labels.
– Zachary Joseph, President of Operations at Old Commonwealth Distillery

According to Old Commonwealth, most honey-finish bourbons leverage a high-rye mashbill, but the wheat in this mashbill imparts a softer note that compliments the Kentucky Straight Bourbon characteristics without overtaking the base whiskey. Kentucky Nectar uses no artificial sweeteners, just real organic honey, placed within a new charred oak barrel. For optimal finishing, the barrels were hand-rotated on a regular basis.


Kentucky Nectar Tasting Notes:

  • Nose: Charred oak, honey, crème brûlée, nutmeg, peaches steeped in brown butter. The charred oak, more prominent when first poured, softens over time, allowing the honey and sweet wheat notes to push forward.
  • Palate: It’s char first, then a pop of sweet honey, baking spices, then cinnamon crumb cake drizzled with honey
  • Finish: Sweet cream vanilla arrives first, then a fast dry down, and the lingering note is honey graham crackers.

A special OC VIP sale of Kentucky Nectar Batch 1 will be available through Old Commonwealth’s online retailer on November 14th, 2024 at 11AM EST. To become an OC VIP, customers can sign up for free on Old Commonwealth’s website and they will be sent the VIP sale link the morning of the 14th. Kentucky Nectar will be available for retail sale in select Kentucky stores on November 15th.

About Old Commonwealth Distillery

Originally built in 1889, in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, the Old Commonwealth Distillery has been home to Hoffman Distillery, Ezra Brooks, and Commonwealth Distilling over the past 135 years. In 2019, it was purchased by Zachary Joseph and Andrew English, a nephew and uncle who bonded over the distillery’s history and its venerable products. Along with family friend and partner Troy LeBlanc, the trio are reviving iconic labels once produced there, and preserving the facility’s heritage through immersive tour experiences.

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