Since releasing its first whiskey in 2022, Kentucky-based 15 Stars has distinguished itself as one of many nation’s extra notable mixing homes. So far, we’ve reviewed eight of its whiskeys: one scored 90 factors, and the others had been all at 91 factors or increased. The corporate, which was based in 2019 by the father-son staff of Rick and Ricky Johnson, has been finest identified for its limited-edition blends that usually embrace numerous mixtures of aged whiskeys sourced from Kentucky, Tennessee, and Indiana.
The Johnsons took an attention-grabbing route into the whiskey enterprise. Their background is within the popcorn trade, the place they got here to know a wide range of heirloom corn strains—together with the crimson, white, and blue corn, in addition to the uncommon black selection, amongst others. The unique thought was to make bourbon utilizing these heirloom strains, and 5 years in the past they began doing that in a customized distilling program with Bardstown Bourbon Co. So far, 15 Stars has labored with seven separate heritage corn bourbon mashbills, together with a number of others utilizing non-heritage grains. These own-make whiskeys now account for about two-thirds of their stock.
To pay the payments whereas these whiskeys mature, the corporate has been releasing these ultra-aged sourced expressions. An preliminary prepared date for the own-make had been set for subsequent 12 months, however that’s been moved as much as this 12 months. “We’ve been fortunate that our crimson, white, and blue corn bourbon has matured so effectively in its 5 years of ageing,” mentioned Rick Johnson. “It got here alongside a bit of quicker than we thought it’d, and that could be as a result of decrease barrel entry proof of 103.”
That whiskey is making its debut as a minority portion of a brand new, everlasting model known as First West, which is designed to be extra approachable than the older 15 Stars releases and might be obtainable nationwide and at a lower cost level. First West is being launched with these three bourbons:
First West Small Batch
ABV: 51%,
SRP: $60
Availability: Nationwide
A mix of three bourbons aged for 7, 6, and 5 years, with the youngest (and smallest) element being own-make from a mashbill of heirloom crimson, white, and blue corn. “The crimson, white, and blue corn produces a candy profile that brings depth and complexity, whereas the low barrel entry proof [51.5% ABV] permits barrel flavors to affect these grains and make a wealthy and chic whiskey,” says Rick Johnson.
First West Toasted Oak
ABV: 49%
SRP: $70
Availability: Nationwide
Because the title suggests, this one is completed in toasted barrels. It includes a mixture of 7, 6, and 5 12 months outdated bourbons first blended, then divided and individually completed in certainly one of two totally different toasted barrels. After a 5-week end, the liquid was blended again collectively. Whereas the end is the principle attraction, the bottom mix differs barely from Small Batch. The 5 and seven 12 months outdated parts are the identical as Small Batch—albeit blended at totally different ratios—whereas the 6 12 months outdated is totally different.
First West Further Aged
ABV: 50%
SRP: $80
Availability: Nationwide
This expression leads with its 8 12 months age assertion, and is a mix of an 8 and a 9 12 months outdated bourbon. It’s the one expression of those three bourbons that doesn’t embrace the Johnsons’ own-make distillate, as each parts are sourced from an undisclosed Kentucky distillery.
The ahead plan is for First West to incorporate extra of the model’s personal liquid in future releases. Small Batch and Toasted Oak are anticipated to be 100% own-liquid over the following couple of years, whereas Further Aged will comply with additional down the road.
Enjoyable Info
Enjoyable Truth 1: First West’s curious title is a nod to the model’s house state of Kentucky, which holds the excellence of being the primary U.S. state west of the Appalachian Mountains. (The 15 Stars title itself can also be a historic reference, a nod to Kentucky being the fifteenth state admitted into the Union.)
Enjoyable reality 2: Again in 2023, 15 Stars launched its first-ever rye whiskey, which bore the title First West. The next 12 months, a second batch known as First West SSDD (that means Identical Spirit, Totally different Day) was briefly launched. Then got here a 3rd bottling known as “First West,” a bourbon as an alternative of a rye. However the thought wasn’t continued till now, and now they’re made in a different way—utilizing the corporate’s own-make, and together with Kentucky distillate solely.
