Kentucky Owl Batch 12 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Kentucky Owl Confiscated is a complex bourbon with a distinctive flavour. There's plenty of vanilla and oak, but layered atop that are notes of aniseed, green cardamom, cherry, and brown sugar. It drinks hotter than one might expect, but enjoyably so; it's a whiskey that can be simply enjoyed but also rewards exploration.
Nose: Aged leather | Smoked oak chips | Butterbeer | Touch of caramel | Light brown sugar | White peppercorn | Pleasing opening

Palate: Rye spice | Dry-aged oak | Peppercorn spice mix | Caramel sweetness | Light brown sugar | Good mix of spicy & sweet | Classic bourbon notes

Finish:  Bold spice | Light leather | Touch of brown sugar | Light whipped cream | Lingering light heat

A Numbered, Non-Repeatable Blend

Kentucky Owl Batch #12 is not a standard release. It is a one-time blend of five distinct bourbon whiskeys, ranging from 4 to 14 years of age, assembled by Master Blender John Rhea to achieve a specific flavour profile that cannot be replicated once the batch is gone. When it is sold, it is gone.

The wheated component is a key point of difference. While many high-proof bourbons lean heavily on rye for spice, Batch #12 uses wheat as a secondary grain in part of the blend, producing a softer, rounder sweetness that balances the higher proof without sacrificing complexity.

At 56.3% ABV, this is a cask-strength-adjacent expression that rewards slow sipping. It is the kind of bottle that changes in the glass as it opens up, offering something different on the nose, palate, and finish with each pour.

Kentucky Owl is one of America's most celebrated boutique bourbon brands, with roots stretching back to 1879 when C.M. Dedman first registered the name in Bardstown, Kentucky. The brand lay dormant for decades before Dixon Dedman, a direct descendant, revived it in 2014 with a series of small-batch blended releases that quickly earned a devoted following among collectors and connoisseurs.

Today, Kentucky Owl is produced under the stewardship of Master Blender John Rhea, who sources aged Kentucky straight bourbon whiskeys from established distilleries and blends them into cohesive, high-proof expressions that reflect the best of the state's whiskey-making tradition. Batch #12 is his creation, combining 7- to 14-year-old bourbons with two distinct 4-year-old bourbons to achieve a layered, wheated-forward profile.

Kentucky Owl is now part of the Stoli Group portfolio, which has invested in expanding the brand's production and reach while maintaining its commitment to small-batch, high-quality blending. Each batch is numbered, non-repeatable, and released in limited quantities, making every bottle a genuine collector's piece.

Kentucky Owl has established itself as one of the most decorated boutique bourbon brands in the United States, with multiple batches earning top scores from leading critics and competition panels.

Batch #12 has received strong praise from reviewers for its balance of complexity and drinkability at cask strength, with particular recognition for its wheated character and the skill of John Rhea's blending. The Kentucky Owl range has consistently appeared on 'best of' lists across major whiskey publications, and the brand's limited-batch model has made each release a sought-after event in the American whiskey calendar.

Bourbon Lens described Batch #12 as a 'quintessential classic sip' and noted that the wheated notes would 'get people very excited about this pour.'

Kentucky Owl Batch #12 is for the serious bourbon drinker. It suits:

• Collectors seeking numbered, limited-batch releases with genuine scarcity value
• Enthusiasts who appreciate wheated bourbons and want to explore the style at higher proof
• Experienced bourbon drinkers ready to invest in a top-shelf expression that rewards patience and attention
• Gift buyers looking for a prestigious, conversation-starting bottle for a serious whiskey lover
• Anyone who has worked through the accessible end of the bourbon shelf and is ready for something exceptional

Neat: Pour 30ml into a Glencairn or tulip glass and give it 5 minutes to breathe. At 56.3% ABV, patience is rewarded. The nose evolves significantly as the spirit opens, moving from bold oak and leather into softer caramel and brown sugar notes.

With a Few Drops of Water: This is the recommended approach for getting the most from Batch #12. A small amount of still water at room temperature drops the proof slightly and unlocks the wheated sweetness and mid-palate complexity. Add water gradually and find your preferred dilution.

On the Rocks: A single large ice cube works well if you prefer a cooler, more relaxed sip. The gradual melt reveals different layers of the blend over time.

In a Cocktail: At this price point, most would sip it neat, but Batch #12 makes an outstanding Old Fashioned. Its higher proof and wheated sweetness hold up beautifully against bitters and a touch of sugar.

We stock Kentucky Owl Batch #12 because it represents the pinnacle of what boutique American bourbon blending can achieve.

At Bourbon Brothers Australia, we are selective about what sits at the top of our range. A bottle at this price point has to earn its place, and Batch #12 does that through genuine craft: a Master Blender with a clear vision, aged stocks of real quality, and a wheated profile that sets it apart from the crowd of high-proof releases.

We also stock it because it is finite. Once Batch #12 is gone, it is gone. For customers who understand the value of a numbered, non-repeatable release from one of Kentucky's most respected boutique brands, this is the bottle to secure now.