2021 King of Kentucky 14 Year Single Barrel #18 128.7 Proof | Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey | 750ml

2021 King of Kentucky 14 Year Single Barrel #18 128.7 Proof

2021 King of Kentucky 14 Year Single Barrel #18 128.7 Proof 750ml is an exceptionally rare Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey from Brown-Forman. Aged for 14 years and bottled at natural barrel strength, this release represents the fourth modern edition of the historic King of Kentucky brand.

This specific expression is identified as Single Barrel #18 and bottled at 128.7 proof / 64.35% ABV. The bottle shown is individually numbered Bottle No. 1 of 85, making it an especially distinctive example for collectors.

Brown-Forman selected only 33 individual barrels for the entire 2021 King of Kentucky release. Together, those barrels yielded approximately 2,700 bottles, with every barrel bottled separately to preserve its individual proof, maturation character and flavor profile.

2021 King of Kentucky Key Features

• Producer: Brown-Forman Distillers Co.
• Brand: King of Kentucky
• Release: 2021
• Edition: Fourth Modern Release
• Type: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• Format: Single Barrel
• Single Barrel: #18
• Age Statement: 14 Years
• Proof: 128.7 Proof
• ABV: 64.35%
• Bottle Size: 750ml
• Bottle Number: 1 of 85
• Mash Bill: 79% Corn, 11% Rye, 10% Malted Barley
• Total 2021 Barrels: 33
• Approximate 2021 Production: 2,700 Bottles
• Filtration: Non-Chill Filtered / Minimally Filtered
• Bottling: Barrel Strength
• Original MSRP: $249.99
• Country: United States
• State: Kentucky

2021 King of Kentucky Tasting Notes

Because King of Kentucky is a true single-barrel bourbon, flavor can vary between barrels. The broader 2021 release shows a powerful mature profile built around caramel, brown sugar, dark fruit, oak and baking spice.

Nose

Rich caramel, brown sugar, charred oak, cinnamon, baking spice, nutmeg, aged leather and deep mature bourbon character.

Palate

Full-bodied and powerful with brown sugar, baked apple, cherry, dark fruit, cinnamon, rye spice, dry oak, vanilla and concentrated barrel sweetness.

Finish

Long and warming with dry oak, cinnamon, leather, spice and lingering barrel-proof intensity.

14 Years of Kentucky Aging

King of Kentucky 2021 carries a full 14-year age statement. Extended maturation gives the bourbon substantial oak structure, deep caramelized sweetness, dark fruit, leather and baking-spice complexity.

At fourteen years, careful barrel selection becomes especially important. Brown-Forman selected individual barrels that retained balance between mature oak, sweetness, fruit and spice.

128.7 Proof Barrel Strength

Single Barrel #18 is bottled at 128.7 proof / 64.35% ABV. King of Kentucky does not standardize every barrel to the same proof. Instead, each selected barrel is bottled at its individual natural strength.

Therefore, proof is an important identifying characteristic for collectors comparing King of Kentucky bottles from the same vintage.

Single Barrel #18

The 128.7-proof 2021 King of Kentucky is documented as Single Barrel #18. The single-barrel format means that the whiskey inside the bottle originates from one individual barrel rather than a blend of multiple barrels.

This gives Barrel #18 its own identity within the already limited 2021 release.

Bottle No. 1 of 85

This specific bottle is numbered 1 of 85, indicating that its individual barrel produced only 85 bottles after fourteen years of maturation.

Long aging causes significant evaporation, or angel’s share. Consequently, individual King of Kentucky barrels can yield dramatically different bottle quantities.

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

The 2021 King of Kentucky mash bill consists of 79% corn, 11% rye and 10% malted barley.

Corn supplies the underlying sweetness, while rye provides spice and structure. Malted barley adds toasted grain character and contributes additional complexity after extended aging.

Only 33 Barrels Selected

Brown-Forman selected just 33 barrels for the entire 2021 release. Approximately 2,700 bottles were produced across all of those barrels.

Each barrel was bottled independently rather than blended into a uniform batch. This is why proof, bottle count and flavor can vary substantially between individual 2021 King of Kentucky barrels.

Historic King of Kentucky Brand

The King of Kentucky name dates to 1881. Brown-Forman acquired the brand in 1936, and it later became a blended whiskey before disappearing from the market in 1968.

Brown-Forman revived King of Kentucky in 2018 as an ultra-premium limited bourbon program focused on exceptional mature single barrels.

Why Collectors Want 2021 King of Kentucky

2021 King of Kentucky 14 Year Single Barrel #18 combines several characteristics sought by serious bourbon collectors: substantial age, natural barrel proof, true single-barrel production, limited availability, vintage-specific identity and Brown-Forman provenance.

The 2021 edition was only the fourth modern release in the revived King of Kentucky series, and only around 2,700 bottles were produced across the entire vintage.

This specific bottle offers even greater specificity as Barrel #18, 128.7 Proof and Bottle No. 1 of 85.

Serving Recommendation

Serve neat in a Glencairn or tulip-shaped whiskey glass. At 128.7 proof, allow the bourbon to rest for several minutes before tasting.

A few drops of water can reveal additional caramel, fruit, vanilla and spice while softening some of the barrel-strength intensity.

Food Pairing

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

Buyer Note

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