2025 King of Kentucky 17 Year Single Barrel 130.4 Proof | Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey | 750ml

2025 King of Kentucky 17 Year Single Barrel 130.4 Proof

2025 King of Kentucky 17 Year Single Barrel 130.4 Proof 750ml is an exceptionally limited Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey from Brown-Forman. Aged for 17 years and bottled at natural barrel strength, this release represents one of the oldest and most collectible editions in the modern King of Kentucky series.

This particular bottle is bottled at 130.4 proof / 65.20% ABV and is individually hand-numbered Bottle No. 61 of 92. Because King of Kentucky is a true single-barrel bourbon, each selected barrel develops its own proof, bottle yield, warehouse influence, and flavor profile.

For the 2025 release, Brown-Forman Master Distiller Emeritus Chris Morris personally selected only 63 barrels. Approximately 5,000 bottles were produced across the entire release, with individual barrel proofs ranging from 124.4 to 135 proof.

The barrels came from two 2007 production dates and matured for 17 years at the Brown-Forman Distillery. Selected barrels were pulled from the fourth floor of Warehouse J and the first floor of Warehouse G, creating natural variation between each single-barrel bottling.

2025 King of Kentucky Key Features

• Producer: Brown-Forman Distillers Co.
• Brand: King of Kentucky
• Release: 2025
• Edition: Eighth Modern Release
• Type: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• Format: Single Barrel
• Age Statement: 17 Years
• Proof: 130.4 Proof
• ABV: 65.20%
• Bottle Size: 750ml
• Bottle Number: 61 of 92
• Mash Bill: 79% Corn, 11% Rye, 10% Malted Barley
• Production Year: 2007
• Warehouses: Warehouse J and Warehouse G
• Warehouse Floors: J – 4th Floor / G – 1st Floor
• Total Barrels Selected: 63
• Approximate 2025 Production: 5,000 Bottles
• 2025 Proof Range: 124.4–135 Proof
• Filtration: Non-Chill Filtered
• Bottling: Barrel Strength
• Presentation: Hand-Filled, Wax-Dipped, Hand-Numbered Bottle with Custom Canister
• Original Suggested Retail Price: Approximately $399
• Country: United States
• State: Kentucky

Tasting Notes

Nose

Sweet dried fruit, dark caramel, toasted oak, brown sugar, molasses, mature leather, vanilla, and warm cinnamon spice.

Palate

Full-bodied and powerful with rich vanilla, toffee, dark chocolate, caramelized sugar, cherry, dried fruit, baking spice, seasoned oak, and subtle tobacco character.

Finish

Exceptionally long and warming with mature oak, dried fruit, cinnamon, leather, dark chocolate, spice, and lingering caramelized sweetness.

17 Years of Kentucky Maturation

2025 King of Kentucky carries a full 17-year age statement. Extended maturation gives the bourbon considerable concentration, dark color, seasoned oak, leather, dried-fruit character, and complex secondary flavors.

Seventeen years is significant for Kentucky bourbon. Long aging can easily create excessive tannin, so Brown-Forman selects individual barrels that maintain a balance between mature oak, sweetness, fruit, and spice.

130.4 Proof Single Barrel

This bottle is presented at a natural barrel strength of 130.4 proof / 65.20% ABV. Brown-Forman did not proof the 2025 King of Kentucky release to one standardized strength. Instead, each selected barrel was bottled individually at its own natural proof.

Across the 2025 release, proofs ranged from approximately 124.4 to 135 proof. This makes individual proof and barrel information important details for King of Kentucky collectors.

Bottle No. 61 of 92

This specific bottle is hand-numbered 61 of 92, indicating a very small yield from its individual single barrel.

Each King of Kentucky barrel loses a substantial amount of whiskey during long maturation. Therefore, individual barrels can produce dramatically different bottle counts after 17 years of aging.

79% Corn, 11% Rye & 10% Malted Barley

The King of Kentucky mash bill consists of 79% corn, 11% rye, and 10% malted barley.

Corn provides the foundation of rich bourbon sweetness, while rye contributes spice and structure. Malted barley adds grain complexity and helps create notes that can develop toward chocolate, toasted grain, malt, and dark sweetness after long maturation.

Only 63 Barrels Selected for 2025

Brown-Forman selected just 63 single barrels for the entire 2025 King of Kentucky release. Those barrels produced only about 5,000 bottles in total.

The barrels came from two 2007 production dates and matured in two different warehouse environments: the fourth floor of Warehouse J and the first floor of Warehouse G.

Warehouse placement affects temperature exposure and interaction between whiskey and oak. As a result, barrels from the same production year can develop noticeably different proof levels, aromas, flavors, and final bottle yields.

Hand-Finished Collector Presentation

King of Kentucky bottles are individually filled, bottled, wax-dipped, and numbered by hand. The custom presentation canister accompanies the bottle and displays important release information.

Individual bottles can document details including proof, age, warehouse location, lot number, serial number, and barrel number, giving collectors direct information about the provenance of each single barrel.

Why Collectors Want 2025 King of Kentucky

2025 King of Kentucky 17 Year Single Barrel combines several characteristics that are highly desirable among serious bourbon collectors: a 17-year age statement, true single-barrel production, natural barrel proof, exceptionally low production, hand-numbered provenance, and Brown-Forman’s historic whiskey pedigree.

The 2025 release is also the eighth modern King of Kentucky edition since Brown-Forman revived the brand in 2018. Each annual release is different in age, proof, barrel selection, warehouse location, and total production.

This particular 130.4-proof bottle numbered 61 of 92 adds another level of specificity for collectors seeking individual barrels rather than simply the general 2025 release.

This bottle is especially relevant for buyers searching for 2025 King of Kentucky, King of Kentucky 17 Year, 130.4 proof bourbon, Brown-Forman single barrel bourbon, barrel-strength Kentucky whiskey, rare bourbon, and collectible American whiskey.

King of Kentucky History

The King of Kentucky brand dates back to 1881, when it was established as a Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. Brown-Forman acquired the brand in 1936.

The label later became a blended whiskey and was discontinued in 1968. Brown-Forman revived King of Kentucky in 2018 as an ultra-premium program showcasing rare barrels from its aging inventory.

Modern King of Kentucky releases focus on barrel-strength, minimally filtered single-barrel bourbon, allowing each selected barrel to retain its individual character.

Serving Recommendation

Serve neat in a Glencairn or tulip-shaped whiskey glass. At 130.4 proof, allow the bourbon to rest for several minutes before tasting.

A few drops of water can help open additional dark fruit, caramel, vanilla, chocolate, and baking-spice notes while softening some of the barrel-strength intensity.

Food Pairing

Pair with dark chocolate, roasted pecans, smoked meats, aged cheddar, dried cherries, caramel desserts, chocolate cake, or enjoy slowly on its own.

Buyer Note

Because this is an ultra-limited single-barrel collectible, buyers should review the bottle number, proof, age statement, barrel information, wax seal, label condition, fill level, presentation canister, and overall condition before purchase.