King of Kentucky 2026 Unveiled: 14-Year-Old Single Barrel Bourbon

King of Kentucky 2026 Features 14-Year-Old Bourbon at Up to 135 Proof.

King of Kentucky is returning in 2026 with a high-proof single barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey aged for 14 years. The limited release from Brown-Forman is drawn from two 14-year-old lots totaling 99 barrels, with individual barrel proofs ranging from 125 to 135.

Of the 99 barrels selected for the 2026 release, 51 matured on the third floor of Warehouse I and 48 matured on the first floor of Warehouse L at the Brown-Forman Distillery in Louisville, Kentucky. Each barrel was selected individually for the release.

King of Kentucky 2026 Delivers Fruit and Dark Chocolate Notes

The 2026 King of Kentucky features a fruit-forward aroma with orange zest, rich caramel, dark chocolate and toasted marshmallow, along with nutty oak character. The palate includes dark maple syrup, orange zest, vanilla wafers and baked banana, followed by a long finish with caramel and chocolate notes.

“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.”

Each King of Kentucky Bottle Is Wax-Dipped and Numbered

King of Kentucky bottles are filled, bottled, wax-dipped and numbered by hand before being placed in custom canisters. Each bottle includes details about the individual whiskey, including its proof, age, warehouse location, lot number, serial number and barrel number.

The 2026 King of Kentucky will be available in limited quantities in select markets nationwide for a suggested retail price of $399.

King of Kentucky Bourbon Brand Dates to 1881

King of Kentucky was established in 1881 as a Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. Brown-Forman acquired the brand in 1936 from Selected Kentucky Distillers before discontinuing it in 1968. Brown-Forman revived King of Kentucky in 2018, bringing the historic label back as a high-proof bourbon release.