Kentucky Owl - Takumi Edition
$139
Kentucky Owl – Takumi Edition
Limited Edition Collaboration with John Rhea and Yahisa Yusuke
Proof: 100
Age: Blend of 4, 5, 6 and 13 Year old Bourbons
Distillery: Kentucky Owl
Type: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Mash: Blended mash bills containing corn, rye or wheat, and malted barley
Website: Kentucky Owl
*Disclaimer: A score of 5 is the midpoint for my reviews. Above 5 I like it. Below 5 I didn’t for some reason. Most of my reviews are between 4-7. It takes something really really special to go above 7 or below 4. See the methodologies for rating at the end of the article
Nose: Bold on the nose. Caramel, Oak & Cedar, Fig, and a healthy combination of Cinnamon, All Spice, with a touch of Anise.
Taste/Palate: A little more mild on the palate than the nose. Dark Caramel, Dark Fruits: Cherries and Berries, Custard, and Oak.
Finish: The Spice picks up on the finish, mostly Cinnamon. The Caramel sticks around and mellows out with Vanilla Custard and Oak.
Verdict: Overall I enjoyed this pour. It was tasty and it delivered. However, and this is a big however, I purchased this at the same time as the Elijah Craig 18 year and it was only 10 dollars less. This delivered on taste, but as with most Kentucky Owl offerings, they will almost never give you value. If you see Kentucky Owl on the shelf be ready to pull out the wallet, but I can say they are typically consistent on providing a solid taste experience.
Takumi Vs St. Patricks: These are different animals. Overall the Takumi has the edge in that it’s more bold and delivers an edgy traditional Bourbon. The St. Patricks Edition was more smooth, but wasn’t lacking on flavor. I tasted them head to head and slightly prefer the St. Patricks edition, but if I were a betting man I could see my preference flip flop between the two depending on my mood that day.
MSRP: I looks nice next to the St Pats Sibling, but not sure it’s worth the MSRP of $139. Price Ceiling: $100. (The most I’d pay for this bottle)
The Story: Being I might be a little Irish the St. Patrick’s Edition that was released last year caught my eye and ended up on my “must have” list. I grabbed a couple bottles last year and I have enjoyed them. This year we have a new collaboration and it’s Japanese themed as opposed to Irish. I wanted to compare so this new release ended up on my radar. Takumi (Which google translated for me to “Craftsman”) appears to be a standard blended Kentucky Straight Bourbon, but with the assistance of Japanese Blender Yahisa. The collaboration seems to be the
The Distillery’s Story: “Kentucky Owl® was founded by Charles Mortimer Dedman in 1879, operating until prohibition became law in 1916. At this point, the government seized some 250,00 gallons of Kentucky Owl®, taking it away for safekeeping. One night, the warehouse where the illicit liquor was stored burned to the ground. Oddly, for a building filled with alcohol, the fire lasted only a matter of hours, leading many to suspect the entire Kentucky Owl® stock had been whisked away by organized crime to fuel their booming speakeasies. A hundred years later, the great, great-grandson of C.M Dedman revived the family business and set about blending a bourbon worthy of the Kentucky Owl® name. Six years of rigorous research and experimentation lead to the first new whiskey to carry the Kentucky Owl® name and since 2017 a series of unique batches have been produced to much acclaim.
From the Distillery on this Bottle: “In celebration of our desire to collaborate with like minded innovative spirits. Kentucky Owl has partnered with Japanese Master Blender Yahisa Yusuke to help create our Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. This Takumi Edition brings together the traditional blending skills of selecting rare whiskey barrels and unique flavor profiles, with the expertise of our Master Blender, John Rhea, resulting in this exceptional and unique limited release.”
Methodologies for Rating:
1. Dump it down the drain or regift it to someone you don’t care for.
2. This doesn’t even belong in a mixed drink. Use in case of an emergency.
3. It’s really not for me, but I heard some people like it.
4. Its only good when I’ve had too many and it’s decent in a mixer.
5. Average. Not bad, but not special.
6. Above average. Good to bring to an event and you wouldn’t expect any guff from it.
7. Buy two if you see it to make sure you have one on reserve.
8. Very Very good. Constantly a GREAT POUR.
9. Superb. If I were to drink this and only this from now on I’d be a happy person.
10. Perfection is impossible. But this really comes as close as you can possibly get.
Reviewer: David S
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