King's County - 10 Year Hazmat Bourbon

Distillery Black Label

Barrel #2135

MSRP: $300

Mash: 80% (NY) corn, 20% (UK) malted barley

Proof: 153.2

Age: 10yrs

Nose: deep plum and red licorice are the first things that greet me, there is a strong alcohol presence that is expected at over 150 proof, the deeper you dig, the more you uncover, waves of fresh tobacco, vanilla, birch bark, ginger root, graham cracker, fig, the back of the nose has a leathery hint that wraps it all up together

Palate: the more earthy elements dominate the palate, tobacco and leather are first and foremost before giving way to a burnt oak and almost savory jerky like note, this is then followed by burnt brown sugar, a plum and cherry reduction, the back of the palate comes back with even more leather

Finish: leather and burnt sugar linger on the palate for an incredibly long finish. It's not necessarily a strong flavor that's left, but it never goes away

Rating: Buy it (Out of Hoard, Buy, Try, Pass)

Thoughts: This is without a doubt, an incredible whiskey, and probably the best I've had from King's County. The proof is insane, and as a result, it NEEDS to breathe. But those with a lick of patience, will be rewarded. The flavor profile is crazy and goes to show that high proof doesn't mean one note with a punch of ethanol. This has a deep and contemplative complexity that makes you want to slow down and enjoy every sip. The only thing preventing this from being a Hoard it rating is the value. $300 is a crazy amount of money, no matter how you look at it. I understand the price, given that this is their first double digit aged whiskey, and is 150+ proof... But that would still absolutely prevent me from wanting a backup bottle.

All that aside, buy this on sight. It's an incredible bottle to have in the collection. Take celebratory pours, share it with close friends, and it will for sure be worth it.

What's the deal?:

King's County was founded in 2010, so releasing a 10 year bourbon in 2025 is a big deal.  Having a bourbon that stretches back the majority of their existence is no small feat. This carries a hefty price tag, but being their oldest release to date and being wildly hazmat makes it a mark of accomplishment in the history of King's County. If you're a fan of King's County, this is more than just a really good bourbon, it's a piece of what makes King's County's identity. Black Label barrels are reserved for their top 1% of barrels, and I'd argue this is even further up and closer to top 0.25%. The age is a milestone, but the whiskey inside is what makes this truly a special release. The fancy wooden box is a welcome addition for something of this caliber.