Calumet Farm 18 Years Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon

The Data

Category Whiskey

Sub-Category Kentucky Straight Bourbon

Origin Kentucky

Retail Price $499.99

ABV 59%

Score 5 Stars/97 points/Supreme!

In the Glass

Appearance

Brilliant, deep amber color.

Aromatics

The aromatics are very intense, giving scents of baking spices, gingerbread, and dried fruits with supporting notes of brown sugar, roasted nuts, oak, and black tea.

Flavor

The palate echoes the nose delivering a bittersweet chocolate-driven core with flavors reminiscent of baking spices, butterscotch, candied ginger, leather, and charred oak. The finish is long and lingering.

Intensity & Texture

Full-bodied and perfectly balanced with a voluptuous texture.

Cool Factor

The best of the best is always cool, made without compromise, and in this case, made to celebrate a renowned and unique Thoroughbred breeding and training farm that exemplifies excellence.

Value Grade

The value grade of this Bourbon is irrelevant, as it was created as a limited, luxury product that meets the highest standards, and it could never be replicated.

Analysis

Calumet Farm, located in Fayette County, Kentucky, is a historic, 762-acre Thoroughbred breeding and training farm founded in 1924 by William Monroe Wright. It’s renowned for its unmatched success in Thoroughbred racing, with a record 10 Kentucky Derby winners, two U.S. Triple Crown champions, and three fillies’ Triple Crown winners. Today, Calumet remains active, with 15 stallions and a focus on breeding Triple Crown contenders. For the last 15 years, Calumet Farm has partnered with Bardstown Bourbon Company and their former Master Distiller John Hargrove. This 18-year-old Kentucky Bourbon was created to celebrate 100 years (2024) of excellence at Calumet Farm. It was made with a mash bill of 74% corn, 18% rye, and 8% malted barley. Bottled at cask strength without chill filtration, it is decadent and luxurious in every way. As a limited release, it will never be duplicated.

How to Enjoy

This bold Bourbon is best enjoyed with a small addition of water, which allows the complex aromatics and flavors to bloom. If you must, add a bit of ice, but be sure to do so gently, as you don't want to overpower the subtle flavor elements.