Rolling Fork Spirits constructed their preliminary following on the backs of sourced rum, rum-and-rye blends, and (below the model identify Wayward Cask) highly-aged French brandy. In late 2024, they entered the bourbon market by relaunching Bourbon de Luxe, a label with historical past relationship again to 1911; Rolling Fork co-founder Turner Wathen hails from the identical whiskey household that after owned the model, together with many others.
The resurrected model’s Batch 1 launch was an eight yr previous Kentucky bourbon, and Batches 2 and three comply with in that very same vein. Batch 2 is one other cask energy (119 proof), eight yr previous Kentucky straight bourbon, this time comprised of six barrels sourced from two Bardstown, Kentucky distilleries. It’s restricted to 1,116 bottles with a instructed retail worth of $65.
Batch 3 is one other beast completely, a four-barrel mix of 16 yr previous, cask-strength Kentucky straight bourbon bottled at 126.1 proof. The whiskey was distilled in Frankfort, Kentucky. Although the precise supply is once more undisclosed, the age, proof level, and present market pattern counsel that is probably from the run of “BuffTurkey” bourbon, distilled round 2009 at Buffalo Hint for Wild Turkey. (That whiskey was distilled utilizing Wild Turkey’s mashbill and aged primarily in Wild Turkey warehouses, although the distillation was carried out at Buffalo Hint utilizing their grains and yeast.) This specific batch is restricted to “below 500 bottles” and carries an MSRP of $299.
Let’s see how they style!
Bourbon de Luxe Batch 2 (2025, 8 Years Previous) Evaluation
An preliminary pop of Creamsicle kicks off the nostril, a pairing of orange sherbet and vanilla ice cream. It’s a candy, mildly tart starting that shortly shifts to extra conventional Kentucky bourbon aromas of vanilla extract and vanilla fudge, scorching pralines, and cinnamon-dusted peach cobbler. Oak dances round these confectionary components for a composed batch of scents that finally smells like a nicely-aged bourbon on the cusp of leaning additional into wooden.
A primary sip brings a captivating mixture of honey-sweetened tea, lemon drops, and minty chewing gum. That candy mint builds with time, punctuated by the smallest quantity of blue raspberry cotton sweet. It’s brighter and rather less oak-forward than the nostril, however by no means cloying, even with a viscous mouthfeel that welcomes a Kentucky chew. A calmly tart black tea end lends sufficient tannins to maintain issues on the rails; at this level, I welcomed a number of the astringency, which lent steadiness.
119 proof.
A- / $65
Bourbon de Luxe Batch 3 (2025, 16 Years Previous) Evaluation
Deeply oaked with each medicinal and Luxardo cherry notes, the nostril is a direct draw for followers of bourbon with a barrel within the driver’s seat. There’s the usual vanilla and darkish caramel, to make certain, however these play second fiddle to twin scents of minty/natural rye spice and blackstrap molasses. Nosing blind, I wouldn’t have been shocked if this turned out to be a Kentucky-style (aka excessive corn) rye, pronounced as these natural components are.
The palate hits early with vibrant crimson maraschino cherry, recent mint sprigs, and preserved ginger. Cedar wooden and extra natural rye finally settle in throughout the midpalate. Notably, a couple of drops of water unlock lots of potential on this pour, dialing up each the fruit (black cherry sweet) and baking spice (clove, allspice, and extra ginger) whereas permitting the oak to linger even longer on the end. Paradoxically, the dilution extends these flavors sufficient that it nearly improves the perceived mouthfeel, tricking one into pondering the bourbon has turn out to be extra viscous. There’s rather a lot to unpack right here, and I’m glad I gave it the time.
126.1 proof.
A- / $299
Bourbon de Luxe Batch 3 (2025, 16 Years Previous)
USD299
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