Caramel | Light toasted marshmallow | Light oak | Light vanilla | Fresh apple juice | Surprisingly light for the proof

Creamy vanilla | Light caramel | Rye spice | Baking spice | Light peppercorn | Creamy flavors transform into a soiree of spice

Flash of vanilla and oak | White peppercorn | Rye grain | Cigar box | Leather | Grounded spice lingers

This second release of Kentucky Senator is the follow up to the company’s first batch, a 15 year old bourbon. Batch 2 is named after William J. DeBoe of Crittenden County, the first Kentucky Republican to serve in the United States Senate. For this batch, the company kept the proof, but lowered the age. They also used a bourbon with a slightly different mashbill than the first batch, resulting in a much higher rye percentage.

This additional rye in the mashbill makes a noticeable difference in the sip. While the nose is light considering the bourbon's proof, the palate and finish tell a much different story. Full of creamy flavors that blend well with dollops of spice, the bourbon transforms from light on the nose into an easy sipper that still offers ample spice. While prices are high and bottle counts are low, those that find themselves with one in hand should enjoy the results.

This release consisted of 1,300 bottles. The bottle being reviewed is #0863