Kentucky Gentleman 1980

Experience a rare piece of bourbon history with the 1980 Kentucky Gentleman Sour Mash. This "Superb Quality" straight bourbon, hailing from the storied Barton Distillery, offers a timeless profile of aged elegance and complex flavors, perfectly embodying its vintage.

Tasting Notes

Nose: A sophisticated, aged nose with prominent notes of dried apricot and dark cherry, interwoven with sweet pipe tobacco, worn leather, and a hint of warm baking spices like nutmeg and cinnamon. Underlying layers of toasted oak and a faint, sweet corn husk emerge.

Palate: The palate opens with a smooth, medium-bodied entry. Initial sweetness of caramel and vanilla transitions quickly to a rich, earthy crescendo of oak, roasted nuts (pecan, walnut), and sweet dark fruit compote. A pleasant peppery spice gradually builds, balanced by a creamy, almost buttery texture. Subtle hints of cocoa and aged barrel char provide depth.

Finish: A long, satisfying finish that lingers with warm oak, lingering caramelized sugar, and a gentle, persistent spice. The dryness of aged wood is present but not overpowering, leaving a clean, refined feel with echoes of dark fruit and a hint of smoky sweetness.

About the Distillery

Barton Distilling Company, founded in 1879, is one of Kentucky's oldest continually operating distilleries. Located in Bardstown, Kentucky, it has a rich history of producing quality bourbons and spirits, originally known as Tom Moore Distillery.