Kings County Straight Bourbon 750ML is a 90-proof (45% ABV) double pot-distilled bourbon from Brooklyn, New York, aged between three and seven years in new charred oak barrels. It earned a Double Gold medal at the 2019 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, validating one of the most unconventional mashbills in American whiskey — a two-grain recipe built on organic corn and malted barley with no rye or wheat. Quick Facts: ABV: 45% (90 Proof) | Origin: Brooklyn, New York | Aged 3–7 Years | Distillery: Kings County Distillery Production & Heritage Kings County Distillery operates out of the Brooklyn Navy Yard, where it has established itself as one of New York City's most recognized craft distilleries. The Straight Bourbon uses an 80% New York-grown organic corn and 20% English Golden Promise malted barley mashbill — a grain bill that deliberately omits the rye or wheat found in virtually every Kentucky bourbon. That Golden Promise barley, prized among Scotch whisky distillers for its rich malt character, is double pot distilled before resting in new charred American oak barrels. The result is a bourbon conceived more like a single malt Scotch than a traditional Kentucky straight bourbon, giving it a malty backbone uncommon in the category. Tasting Notes Aroma: Caramel and butterscotch lead, followed by warm vanilla and a thread of milk chocolate. Deeper inhales reveal subtle dark berry undertones and a whisper of charred brown sugar, like the torched top of a crème brûlée. Taste: The entry is decidedly sweet, with saturated caramel and vanilla giving way to a deep molasses richness at mid-palate. As it develops, baking spices emerge — cinnamon, nutmeg, and cracked black pepper — alongside a dark chocolate note that adds depth without bitterness. The malty influence from the Golden Promise barley keeps the texture full and slightly creamy throughout. Finish: Smooth and medium in length, with lingering cinnamon, autumn spice, and a gentle malty sweetness. There is no harsh heat at 90 proof; instead the finish fades cleanly with a final touch of honey. How to Drink Kings County Bourbon Neat or with a single ice cube is the best way to appreciate the unusual malt-driven profile. A few drops of water open up the caramel and chocolate notes further without thinning the body. For cocktails, try it in an Old Fashioned, where its caramel sweetness pairs naturally with bitters and needs minimal added sugar. It also works well in a Boulevardier, with its malt backbone standing up to Campari's bitterness rather than being overwhelmed. A Brown Sugar Milk Punch plays directly into the bourbon's crème brûlée and molasses character for a dessert-style drink. Best For Scotch drinkers curious about bourbon's malt-forward side Gifting to a whiskey enthusiast who has explored every Kentucky label After-dinner sipping alongside chocolate or pastry desserts Building a craft bourbon shelf with distinctive regional character Frequently Asked Questions What does Kings County Bourbon taste like? Kings County Straight Bourbon is caramel-forward with rich vanilla, dark chocolate, and molasses at mid-palate, finishing with cinnamon and autumn baking spices. The high-malt mashbill gives it a creamy, slightly malty character not typical of most bourbons. How does Kings County Bourbon compare to Old Grand-Dad Bonded? Old Grand-Dad Bonded is a 100-proof Kentucky bourbon with a high-rye mashbill that delivers a spicier, more grain-driven profile at a lower price point. Kings County trades that rye kick for English Golden Promise barley, producing a maltier, softer-textured bourbon with a distinctly different flavor architecture rooted in craft pot distillation rather than large-scale column distillation. Is Kings County Bourbon good for sipping neat? Yes — its 90-proof strength carries enough intensity to stay flavorful neat without excessive heat, and the malt-driven sweetness makes it approachable on its own. A single ice cube or a few drops of water further open the caramel and chocolate notes. Where is Kings County Bourbon made? Kings County Straight Bourbon is distilled and aged at Kings County Distillery in the Brooklyn Navy Yard, Brooklyn, New York. The corn in the mashbill is sourced from organic farms in New York State, while the Golden Promise barley is an English heritage grain variety. What foods pair well with Kings County Bourbon? Dark chocolate truffles complement the bourbon's cocoa and caramel notes naturally. Smoked brisket or pulled pork echoes its charred oak character. Pecan pie mirrors its brown sugar and vanilla sweetness. Aged cheddar contrasts the malty richness with sharp tang, and crème brûlée amplifies the torched-sugar quality found in both the aroma and palate. What sizes does Kings County Bourbon come in? Kings County Straight Bourbon is commonly available in the standard 750ml bottle, as well as a 200ml size suited for sampling or travel. Is Kings County Bourbon worth the price? Kings County Straight Bourbon positions in the mid-premium tier for craft bourbon, reflecting the higher cost of small-batch pot distillation, organic New York corn, and imported Golden Promise barley. For drinkers seeking something genuinely different from mainstream Kentucky profiles, the unique mashbill and Double Gold pedigree represent solid value in that range. Why Kings County Bourbon? Very few American bourbons are built on a two-grain mashbill of organic corn and English Golden Promise barley with no rye or wheat whatsoever — Kings County's Straight Bourbon is a genuine outlier in the category. Double pot distillation in Brooklyn gives the spirit a texture and malt influence closer to single malt Scotch than to anything coming out of Kentucky's column stills. The Double Gold medal at the 2019 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, along with consistent Gold and Silver medals across ADI, ACSA, and other competitions over more than a decade, confirms that the approach translates into the glass. For anyone whose bourbon shelf needs a bottle that actually tastes different from everything else on it, this is the one that delivers.
