Kentucky Peerless Distilling Co. is a Louisville-based craft distillery that revived the historic Peerless brand after a near-century hiatus. The original distillery was shuttered during Prohibition and was reborn in 2015. Peerless has quickly grabbed enthusiasts' attention, with much of it tied to their Master Distiller Caleb Kilburn.The Double Oak ProcessThe Double Oak expression was born partly from practical necessity — leaky barrels required transferring whiskey into fresh new charred oak casks, and the resulting liquid proved so compelling that the process became a permanent release. Each barrel receives two full extractions from new American charred oak, amplifying the wood's influence on the spirit.What makes Peerless particularly distinctive is its production philosophy. Every whiskey Peerless releases is bottled at cask strength and forgoes chill filtration. Peerless also utilizes a sweet mash process — meaning they clean the fermentation tanks between batches — and a fairly low barrel entry proof of 107, helping the product maintain full flavor at a relatively lower proof point. These details set it apart in a crowded field of double-oaked bourbons.Tasting NotesNose: Sweet oak leads immediately, joined by bright orange zest and aromatic cedar. Beneath those top notes sit deeper layers of tobacco leaf and dried herbs. Aromas of tobacco and herbs soon join the sweet oak and orange zest. Palate: The front palate is tantalizingly warm with toffee notes and baking spice, followed by rich leather, dried tobacco, mocha dust, and a heavy burnt oak dryness. The mid and back palate is loaded with a weighty dose of dark chocolate infused with oak, burnt raisin bread, and fresh dried leather. Dark brown sugar and cacao jump to the forefront, followed by a momentary hit of orange and cherry syrup, with some burnt toffee and vanilla bean coming to life on subsequent sips — emphasized by a moderately dense and oily mouthfeel. Finish: Chocolate orange with a developing emphasis on orange oil and lingering vanilla. Residual notes of cardamom, clove, and nutmeg give the oak influence a nice, seasoned personality. Intensely dry with caramel-laced dark toffee and a satisfying oak spice that leaves you wanting more.
