Carmel | Strawberry | Cinnamon | Toasted oak | Pine

Caramel | Vanilla | Charred oak | Dried fruits | Well balanced | Slightly creamy body

Aged oak | Leather | Mixed nuts | Touch of rye spice | Warming | Medium length

Each batch of Kentucky Senator Bourbon carries with it the name of a notable U.S. senator from Kentucky. Release 5 features John Brown, who was the state’s first senator and, according to the company’s website, was “an elusive forefather who helped establish Kentucky as a Commonwealth and who served with the likes of U.S. President George Washington, John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson.”

Now on their fifth release, it’s safe to say co-founders Andre Regard and Damon Thayer like traditional tasting bourbon. Oak, caramel, and vanilla are at the core of their releases, and Release #5 is no different. While it can make for a familiar and predictable sip, few companies seem to be targeting this flavor profile nowadays, so in a way, this traditional tasting bourbon comes off as refreshing.

With an aroma centered on caramel, it’s nicely offset by strawberry, cinnamon, toasted oak, and potent pine. The palate has a nice, slightly creamy viscosity about it that carries notes of caramel, vanilla, and charred oak, along with hints of dried fruit, making for a well balanced sip. Finally, the finish features a good amount of aged oak for a 9 year old bourbon with additional notes of leather, mixed nuts, and rye spice, producing a warming, medium length conclusion. Overall, it’s a satisfying sip that is a throwback to a time of less convoluted tasting bourbons that doesn’t try and overwhelm you, and instead nails the basics of flavor, balance, and delivery.

Approximately 1,200 bottles will be released.