I was able to pick up a bottle of Cream of Kentucky Cask Strength. This appears to be a 2025 release, as the label is significantly different from the 2024 release, and it is much higher in proof at 119.6 proof. Also, this release of Cream of Kentucky was bottled at Kentucky Artisan Distillers, whose most well known brand is Jefferson’s. Also, the label no longer bears Jim Rutledge’s signature. When I reviewed Batch 5, I noted that Stephen Camisa, a former Sazerac executive, had recently started a Cream of Kentucky company and this bottle is probably the initial release without Rutledge, based on the label.

The mashbill is 72% corn, 18% rye, and 10% barley malt, which is the mashbill for Old Forester and other Brown-Forman made bourbons, as well as Angel’s Envy. Previously, Cream of Kentucky has sourced barrels from 1792 Barton and possibly Four Roses. So this release is definitely something different from previous releases. This bottle cost me $85, which is about $10 off the MSRP.

The color on the whiskey is a nice amber; I would guess this bourbon is probably seven to eight years old. On the swirl, there is a thin film that develops oily droplets and legs. The nose is very traditional bourbon; but with lots of rich vanilla. On the palate, the mouthfeel is very rich, with the vanilla being really the dominant flavor, but with cherry altoids, grassy rye notes, and mint. On the finish, the grassy rye and mint notes mix with cloves, and the finish lingers a good while.

This is a very old school cask strength bourbon. The flavor profile is really good and complex without being overly so. Even if the bourbon legend Jim Rutledge is no longer involved with Cream of Kentucky, this is still a limited release bourbon worth picking up.