Blade and Bow 22 Year Bourbon 750ML is a limited-release, solera-aged Kentucky straight bourbon bottled at 46% ABV (92 proof) in a 750ml bottle. This annual ultra-aged expression earned a Double Gold Medal and "Best Straight Bourbon" designation at the 2015 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, cementing its reputation among serious bourbon collectors.Quick Facts: ABV: 46% (92 proof) | Origin: Kentucky, USA | Age: 22 Years | Producer: Diageo (Stitzel-Weller connection) | Style: Solera-Aged Straight BourbonProduction & HeritageBlade and Bow 22 Year draws on the legacy of the storied Stitzel-Weller distillery, one of Kentucky's most revered bourbon operations. The liquid is blended from distillates sourced from multiple Kentucky distilleries — reported to include Buffalo Trace and Bernheim — and aged using a solera method in which bourbon is rotated through five barrels blended from youngest to oldest, with no more than half of what remains in each barrel dumped for bottling. The mashbill follows a distinctive four-grain recipe incorporating corn, rye, wheat, and malted barley, setting it apart from most bourbons that use either rye or wheat but rarely both. This unusual grain combination, combined with over two decades of maturation, produces a depth rarely found in American whiskey.Tasting NotesAroma: Toasted oak and leather rise first, followed by vanilla bean, amarena cherry, and brown sugar. Underneath sits a layer of fig and subtle caramel that builds with time in the glass.Taste: The entry is smooth and oily, immediately coating the palate with candied ginger and stone fruit. Mid-palate, rich notes of torched sugar and apples baked in honey emerge alongside cherry and fig jam, calling to mind Linzer cookies with apricot jam. A four-grain complexity ties together the fruit-forward and oak-driven elements with unusual cohesion.Finish: Medium in length, the finish leans into well-developed oak and a dry ashiness accented by subtle campfire smoke. Lingering caramelized sugar and a trace of leather round out the experience.How to Drink Blade and Bow 22 YearAt 22 years old and 92 proof, this bourbon is best enjoyed neat or with a few drops of water to unlock the layered fruit and oak complexity. An oversized ice cube works well for those who prefer a slightly chilled pour, but extensive dilution can mute the nuanced stone fruit and ginger notes. Old Fashioned: The deep caramel and cherry character anchors this classic, requiring minimal sweetener. Boulevardier: The bourbon's smoky oak and fig notes stand up to Campari and sweet vermouth without being overwhelmed. Whiskey Sour: Stone fruit and candied ginger translate beautifully against fresh citrus, though this is best reserved for special occasions given the bourbon's age and scarcity. Best For Gifting a serious bourbon collector who values aged, allocated releases Anchoring a special-occasion tasting flight alongside other ultra-aged Kentucky bourbons Celebrating a milestone event where a rare, award-winning pour is warranted Adding a cornerstone bottle to a curated home whiskey library Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat does Blade and Bow 22 Year taste like? It leads with rich stone fruit, torched sugar, and cherry before transitioning into deep toasted oak and candied ginger. A subtle campfire smokiness and dry ashiness emerge on the finish, with an overall oily, rounded mouthfeel.How does Blade and Bow 22 Year compare to Barterhouse 20 Year? Both are ultra-aged Kentucky bourbons bottled at similar proofs from undisclosed distilleries, but Blade and Bow 22 Year uses a four-grain mashbill and solera aging method that produce additional complexity. Barterhouse 20 Year, now discontinued, was often cited as delivering a comparable aged bourbon experience at a significantly lower price point.Is Blade and Bow 22 Year good for sipping neat? Absolutely — neat is the recommended serve, as it allows the full interplay of two-decade-old oak, stone fruit, and the distinctive four-grain character to present themselves without dilution.Where is Blade and Bow 22 Year made? It is produced by Diageo and draws on Kentucky bourbon distillates reported to include liquid from Buffalo Trace and Bernheim distilleries, with the solera aging and bottling tied to the historic Stitzel-Weller site in Louisville, Kentucky.What foods pair well with Blade and Bow 22 Year? Dark chocolate truffles complement the bourbon's cherry and fig sweetness. Smoked brisket echoes the campfire notes on the finish. Aged Gruyère or Comté cheese pairs well with the toasted oak and caramel. A pecan tart or bread pudding with caramel sauce mirrors the torched sugar and baking spice notes. Blue cheese with honeycomb balances the dry oak tannins with contrasting richness.What sizes does Blade and Bow 22 Year come in? Blade and Bow 22 Year is released as a standard 750ml bottle as part of Diageo's annual limited allocation.Is Blade and Bow 22 Year worth the price? Positioned firmly in the ultra-premium tier, this bourbon commands a high price driven by its 22-year age statement, solera process, limited annual production, and Stitzel-Weller heritage. For collectors and enthusiasts who value rare, fully matured Kentucky bourbon with documented critical acclaim, it delivers a level of complexity that justifies its place in the top echelon of American whiskey.Why Blade and Bow 22 Year?Few Kentucky bourbons carry a legitimate 22-year age statement, and fewer still employ a solera aging system that ensures continuity between annual releases. The four-grain mashbill — incorporating both rye and wheat alongside corn and malted barley — is genuinely unusual in the bourbon category and contributes a layered complexity that single-recipe bourbons at this age rarely achieve. Its Double Gold Medal and "Best Straight Bourbon" win at the 2015 San Francisco World Spirits Competition validated what collectors had already suspected: this is one of the most distinctive ultra-aged American whiskeys released in the modern era. Each annual bottling, drawn from no more than half of each solera barrel, reinforces its status as a scarce and sought-after expression.
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