Bardstown’s 15 Stars Bourbon Company has announced three new members of its First West bourbon Family: Small Batch, Toasted Oak, and Extra Aged 8-Year-Old Bourbon Whiskey.
The company was started by the father and son team of artisan blenders, Rick and Ricky Johnson.
“Our goal with 15 STARS First West was to create the same high-quality, award-winning whiskey at an approachable cost to our consumers,” said Ricky Johnson, co-founder of 15 STARS. “In place of double digit age statements seen with 15 STARS, we are able to bring extra flavors into the First West lineup with our heritage grains and continue to use our process of Flavor Proofing™ to create never before crafted blends.”
First West Small Batch – Aged 5, 6, and 7 years ($59.99 MSRP / 102 Proof)
- Nose: Subtle sweet notes of banana bread, caramelized apple, sugar cream pie, dried cherry, and honey are balanced by nutmeg, cigar box, and seasoned oak.
- Palate: Fruit flavors of pear, golden raisin, apple, and vanilla rest on top of notes of damp forest and tobacco.
- Finish: A burst of honey-sweetened fruit salad quickly fades into a long finish of oak and tobacco.
First West Toasted Oak – Aged 5, 6, and 7 years ($69.99 MSRP / 98 Proof)
- Nose: Beginning with aged notes of seasoned oak, nutmeg, licorice, and ground pepper the nose opens up to include caramel, peach, plum, banana, and salt water taffy.
- Palate: Sweet flavors of cherry, orange, banana, toffee, and vanilla are surrounded by ever-present oak.
- Finish: Apricot and cherry carry over the sweetness from the palate, eventually giving way to rich caramel, toasted oak, tobacco.
First West Extra Aged – Aged 8 and 9 years ($79.99 MSRP / 100 Proof)
- Nose: Orange peel citrus along with cherry and caramel create a sweet aroma that is contrasted by cinnamon, seasoned oak, leather, and a hint of malted grain.
- Palate: Cherry and seasoned oak appear first followed by orange marmalade and fresh fruit juice to create a viscous and smooth palate.
- Finish: The finish begins with rich flavors of plum and cherry with a hint of citrus which give way to enduring oak and caramelized sugar.
Source: 15 Stars
“We want to capture the spirit of early Kentucky with its epic story of adventure and discovery, in our bourbon,” says Johnson. “Bourbon collectors and connoisseurs are invited to explore new territories in bourbon, expand their palate with flavor proofing, explore heirloom corns, and celebrate the home of bourbon!”
About 15 STARS
(From the company) 15 STARS Fine Aged Bourbon crafts award-winning whiskey from their exclusive high-aged whiskey stocks through expertise in blending. Founded by father and son artisan blenders, Rick and Ricky Johnson, the brand has received nearly 200 of the world’s most coveted whiskey awards since its debut in 2022, included in these awards are many “best in class” recognitions. Always in pursuit of excellence in flavor, 15 STARS distills over a dozen different whiskey mash bills in Bardstown, KY, some of which include proprietary heirloom corn varieties (black, red, white, and blue) that the family grows for its gourmet specialty popcorn business, Black Jewell Popcorn. The 15 STARS portfolio of limited-release fine-aged bourbon is now available in over 20 states, as well as online at 15STARS.com. The name 15 STARS pays homage to Kentucky as the 15th state with Kentucky’s recognition on the second US flag with 15 stars and 15 stripes and was authorized by President George Washington in 1795. The 15 STARS First West lineup extends the brand into a more approachable price category with excellence of flavor still the driver of every release. First West continues the tradition of honoring Kentucky as the first state west of the Appalachians and the original western frontier of the United States. For more information visit 15STARS.com or follow on social @15STARSbourbon.
