{"product_id":"king-of-kentucky-small-batch-2026-batch-1","title":"King of Kentucky Small Batch Bourbon (2026 Release - Batch 1 of 3)","description":"\u003cstyle\u003e\n.mw-master-container{\n  --mw-accent: #cbc4a7;   \/* metallic foil  *\/\n  --mw-glow:   #9a1406;   \/* power color    *\/\n  --mw-bg:     #442b2c;   \/* deep lowlight  *\/\n  --mw-text:#e0e0e0; --mw-muted:#b8b8b8; --mw-hair:#222;\n  font-family: inherit; background:var(--mw-bg); color:var(--mw-text);\n  line-height:1.7; padding:24px; margin-bottom:60px;\n}\n\/* scoped resets: neutralize theme heading styles inside the block *\/\n.mw-master-container h2, .mw-master-container h3{\n  margin:0; padding:0; font-family:inherit; line-height:inherit; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-h3{ color:var(--mw-accent); font-weight:bold; text-transform:uppercase;\n  font-size:0.9rem; letter-spacing:2px; margin-top:40px; display:block;\n  border-bottom:1px solid var(--mw-glow); padding-bottom:8px; margin-bottom:20px; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-accent{ color:var(--mw-accent); font-weight:bold; text-decoration:none; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-accent:hover{ color:#fff; text-decoration:underline; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-info-box{ background:linear-gradient(90deg, var(--mw-bg) 0%, var(--mw-glow) 100%);\n  padding:25px; margin:25px 0; border-radius:0 4px 4px 0; border:1px solid var(--mw-hair);\n  border-left:4px solid var(--mw-accent); }\n.mw-master-container .mw-list{ margin:0; padding-left:20px; font-size:0.95rem; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-grid{ display:grid; grid-template-columns:1fr 1fr; gap:30px; margin:30px 0; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-card{ background:rgba(255,255,255,0.02); padding:25px;\n  border:1px solid var(--mw-glow); border-radius:4px; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-card-label{ color:var(--mw-accent); font-weight:bold; font-size:0.75rem;\n  text-transform:uppercase; letter-spacing:1px; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-card-body{ margin-top:20px; font-size:0.9rem; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-card-body p + p{ margin-top:10px; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-table{ width:100%; border-collapse:collapse; margin-top:15px; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-table td{ padding:14px 0; border-bottom:1px solid var(--mw-hair);\n  color:#ccc; font-size:0.95rem; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-table td:first-child{ font-weight:bold; width:38%; color:var(--mw-accent);\n  text-transform:uppercase; font-size:0.75rem; letter-spacing:1px; }\n.mw-master-container details{ background:rgba(255,255,255,0.03); border:1px solid var(--mw-hair);\n  border-radius:4px; margin-bottom:15px; }\n.mw-master-container summary{ padding:18px; color:var(--mw-accent); font-weight:bold; cursor:pointer;\n  outline:none; list-style:none; display:flex; justify-content:space-between; align-items:center;\n  text-transform:uppercase; letter-spacing:1px; font-size:0.85rem; }\n.mw-master-container summary::after{ content:'+'; font-size:1.2rem; }\n.mw-master-container details[open]{ border:1px solid var(--mw-accent); }\n.mw-master-container details[open] summary::after{ content:'-'; }\n.mw-master-container .details-content{ padding:0 20px 20px 20px; font-size:0.95rem; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-q{ font-size:0.95rem; font-weight:bold; color:var(--mw-text); margin-top:14px; }\n.mw-master-container .details-content .mw-q:first-child{ margin-top:0; }\n@media (max-width:768px){ .mw-master-container .mw-grid{ grid-template-columns:1fr; } }\n\u003c\/style\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"mw-master-container\"\u003e\n\n  \u003cdiv class=\"speakable\"\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003eKing of Kentucky Small Batch Batch 1 is the 105-proof opening bottling of Brown-Forman’s three-batch 2026 series, a Kentucky straight bourbon carrying a 12-year age statement and blended from barrels aged 12 to 18 years at the Brown-Forman Distillery in Shively, Kentucky. Brown-Forman bottled it non-chill filtered in 700 mL and announced the collection on 4 February 2026 to mark the 250th anniversary of the United States.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n  \u003ch2 class=\"mw-h3\"\u003eThe Elemental Distinction\u003c\/h2\u003e\n  \u003cdiv class=\"mw-info-box\"\u003e\n    \u003cul class=\"mw-list\"\u003e\n      \u003cli\u003eLowest of the three 2026 bottlings at 105 proof (52.5% ABV); the series steps 105, 107.5, 110.\u003c\/li\u003e\n      \u003cli\u003eKentucky straight bourbon with a 12-year age statement, blended from barrels aged 12 to 18 years.\u003c\/li\u003e\n      \u003cli\u003eBrown-Forman reports that some barrels in the blend held just 16 percent of their original liquid after years of evaporation.\u003c\/li\u003e\n      \u003cli\u003eDistilled and bottled by Brown-Forman Distillers Co. at the Shively distillery, DSP-KY-354; non-chill filtered, 700 mL.\u003c\/li\u003e\n      \u003cli\u003eThe first three-batch series King of Kentucky has released. Brown-Forman has owned the brand since 1936 and revived it in 2018.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003c\/ul\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n  \u003cdiv class=\"mw-grid\"\u003e\n    \u003cdiv class=\"mw-card\"\u003e\n      \u003ch3 class=\"mw-card-label\"\u003eSensory Profile\u003c\/h3\u003e\n      \u003cdiv class=\"mw-card-body speakable\"\u003e\n        \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNose:\u003c\/strong\u003e Chocolate, caramel and toasted marshmallow, set against dried apricot and clove.\u003c\/p\u003e\n        \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePalate:\u003c\/strong\u003e Oak without edges, carrying toasted coconut.\u003c\/p\u003e\n        \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFinish:\u003c\/strong\u003e Silky, and the shortest of the three batches.\u003c\/p\u003e\n      \u003c\/div\u003e\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n    \u003cdiv class=\"mw-card\"\u003e\n      \u003ch3 class=\"mw-card-label\"\u003eStrategic Position\u003c\/h3\u003e\n      \u003cdiv class=\"mw-card-body\"\u003e\n        \u003cp\u003eAt 105 proof Batch 1 sits at the bottom of the 2026 ladder, which makes it the reading the other two are measured against rather than simply the mildest of them — Brown-Forman separated the three bottlings by strength in order to show what proof does to mature bourbon. It joins \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/midnightwhiskey.com\/collections\/whiskey\" class=\"mw-accent\"\u003ethe long-aged Kentucky bourbon shelf at Midnight Whiskey\u003c\/a\u003e next to \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/midnightwhiskey.com\/products\/king-of-kentucky-small-batch-2026-batch-2\" class=\"mw-accent\"\u003ethe 107.5-proof second batch\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n      \u003c\/div\u003e\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n  \u003ch2 class=\"mw-h3\"\u003eTechnical Specifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n  \u003ctable class=\"mw-table\"\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eClass\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eKentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBatch\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBatch 1 of 3, 2026 Small Batch collection\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eProof\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e105\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eABV\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e52.5%\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAge statement\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e12 years on the label; the blend is drawn from barrels aged 12 to 18 years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMash bill\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e[verify] — 75% corn, 15% rye, 10% malted barley is reported at Tier-2 only; Brown-Forman’s release states no recipe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFiltration\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNon-chill filtered\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRegion\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eKentucky\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDistillery\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBrown-Forman Distillery, Shively, Kentucky\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRegulatory ID\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDSP-KY-354\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eProducer\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBrown-Forman Distillers Co., Louisville, Kentucky\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFormat\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e700 mL\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAnnounced\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e4 February 2026\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\n\n  \u003ch2 class=\"mw-h3\"\u003eCollector Note\u003c\/h2\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003eBrown-Forman set a suggested retail price of $299 across the series and shipped it in limited quantities to select markets, so the collecting question is whether to chase one batch or the set. Batch 1 is what makes the set legible: without the 105-proof reading, the climb to \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/midnightwhiskey.com\/products\/king-of-kentucky-small-batch-2026-batch-3\" class=\"mw-accent\"\u003ethe 110-proof batch at the top\u003c\/a\u003e is a number rather than a comparison. It is also a first — no three-batch series has carried the King of Kentucky name before.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n  \u003ch2 class=\"mw-h3\"\u003eRecommended Serving\u003c\/h2\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003eAt 105 proof this is the batch that asks least of you. Pour it neat and give it several minutes; the toasted coconut and the drier oak take a while to separate. If you are tasting all three in one sitting, open this one first and set your baseline before the strength climbs — going the other direction flattens it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n  \u003cdetails\u003e\n    \u003csummary\u003eProduction Methodology\u003c\/summary\u003e\n    \u003cdiv class=\"details-content\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eKing of Kentucky is built from barrels Brown-Forman held back rather than bottled, and the 2026 blend reaches across a six-year band, from 12 years old to 18. Long maturation in Kentucky rickhouses costs volume as well as time: Brown-Forman reports that some barrels feeding this release held only 16 percent of their original liquid by the time they were emptied. Batching is what makes whiskey at that stage into a release at all — a cask down to 16 percent of its fill yields very few bottles on its own, while many of them together yield a run. The whiskey was made at the Brown-Forman Distillery in Shively, Kentucky, registered as DSP-KY-354, and bottled without chill filtration so nothing was stripped on the way into the glass.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n  \u003c\/details\u003e\n  \u003cdetails\u003e\n    \u003csummary\u003eAuthentication \u0026amp; Vault Preservation\u003c\/summary\u003e\n    \u003cdiv class=\"details-content\"\u003e\n      \u003cp\u003eEvery bottle sold through \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/midnightwhiskey.com\/\" class=\"mw-accent\"\u003eMidnight Whiskey\u003c\/a\u003e is sourced as an authentic, sealed product and inspected before it ships. Orders are packed with padded, glass-rated handling and require an adult signature (21+) on delivery; we do not ship to anyone unable to verify legal drinking age. For our full sourcing and handling protocols, see \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/midnightwhiskey.com\/pages\/authentication-standards\" class=\"mw-accent\"\u003eour editorial and authentication standards\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n  \u003c\/details\u003e\n  \u003cdetails\u003e\n    \u003csummary\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/summary\u003e\n    \u003cdiv class=\"details-content\"\u003e\n      \u003ch3 class=\"mw-q\"\u003eWhat proof is King of Kentucky Small Batch Batch 1?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n      \u003cp\u003eBatch 1 of the 2026 King of Kentucky Small Batch collection is bottled at 105 proof, or 52.5% ABV, the lowest of the three batches Brown-Forman released. Batch 2 is 107.5 proof and Batch 3 is 110 proof. All three are Kentucky straight bourbon, non-chill filtered, in 700 mL bottles.\u003c\/p\u003e\n      \u003ch3 class=\"mw-q\"\u003eHow old is King of Kentucky Small Batch?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n      \u003cp\u003eThe King of Kentucky Small Batch bottles carry a 12-year age statement, and Brown-Forman states that each blend is drawn from barrels aged 12 to 18 years. A US age statement names the youngest whiskey in the bottle, so 12 years is a floor rather than an average for this release. Brown-Forman announced the collection on 4 February 2026.\u003c\/p\u003e\n      \u003ch3 class=\"mw-q\"\u003eWhat is the difference between King of Kentucky Small Batch and King of Kentucky Single Barrel?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n      \u003cp\u003eKing of Kentucky Small Batch is a 2026 collection of three batches, each blended from barrels aged 12 to 18 years and bottled at 105, 107.5 or 110 proof. King of Kentucky Single Barrel is the brand's long-running release, drawn from one barrel at a time, and Brown-Forman has said it continues annually each fall. The Small Batch series sits alongside it rather than replacing it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n  \u003c\/details\u003e\n\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003c!-- COMPONENT 4 — AI-COMPATIBILITY LAYER (JSON-LD) --\u003e\n\u003cscript type=\"application\/ld+json\"\u003e\n{\n  \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",\n  \"@graph\": [\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"Product\",\n      \"@id\": \"https:\/\/www.midnightwhiskey.com\/products\/king-of-kentucky-small-batch-2026-batch-1#product\",\n      \"name\": \"King of Kentucky Small Batch, Batch 1 of 3, 2026\",\n      \"url\": \"https:\/\/www.midnightwhiskey.com\/products\/king-of-kentucky-small-batch-2026-batch-1\",\n      \"mainEntityOfPage\": \"https:\/\/www.midnightwhiskey.com\/products\/king-of-kentucky-small-batch-2026-batch-1\",\n      \"image\": \"https:\/\/www.midnightwhiskey.com\/cdn\/shop\/files\/king-of-kentucky-small-batch-2026-batch-1.jpg\",\n      \"description\": \"Batch 1 of Brown-Forman's 2026 King of Kentucky Small Batch collection: a Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey carrying a 12-year age statement, blended from barrels aged 12 to 18 years and bottled non-chill filtered at 105 proof.\",\n      \"sku\": \"[PLACEHOLDER_SKU]\",\n      \"mpn\": \"[PLACEHOLDER_MPN]\",\n      \"gtin13\": \"[PLACEHOLDER_GTIN]\",\n      \"brand\": {\n        \"@type\": \"Brand\",\n        \"name\": \"King of Kentucky\"\n      },\n      \"manufacturer\": {\n        \"@type\": \"Organization\",\n        \"name\": \"Brown-Forman Distillers Co.\"\n      },\n      \"releaseDate\": \"2026-02\",\n      \"category\": \"Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey\",\n      \"additionalProperty\": [\n        {\n          \"@type\": \"PropertyValue\",\n          \"name\": \"Proof\",\n          \"value\": \"105\"\n        },\n        {\n          \"@type\": \"PropertyValue\",\n          \"name\": \"ABV\",\n          \"value\": \"52.5%\"\n        },\n        {\n          \"@type\": \"PropertyValue\",\n          \"name\": \"Age statement\",\n          \"value\": \"12 years\"\n        },\n        {\n          \"@type\": \"PropertyValue\",\n          \"name\": \"Filtration\",\n          \"value\": \"Non-chill filtered\"\n        },\n        {\n          \"@type\": \"PropertyValue\",\n          \"name\": \"Region\",\n          \"value\": \"Kentucky\"\n        },\n        {\n          \"@type\": \"PropertyValue\",\n          \"name\": \"Regulatory ID\",\n          \"value\": \"DSP-KY-354\"\n        },\n        {\n          \"@type\": \"PropertyValue\",\n          \"name\": \"Format\",\n          \"value\": \"700 mL\"\n        }\n      ],\n      \"offers\": {\n        \"@type\": \"Offer\",\n        \"@id\": \"https:\/\/www.midnightwhiskey.com\/products\/king-of-kentucky-small-batch-2026-batch-1#offer\",\n        \"url\": \"https:\/\/www.midnightwhiskey.com\/products\/king-of-kentucky-small-batch-2026-batch-1\",\n        \"priceCurrency\": \"USD\",\n        \"price\": \"[PLACEHOLDER_PRICE]\",\n        \"availability\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\/[PLACEHOLDER_AVAILABILITY]\",\n        \"itemCondition\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\/NewCondition\",\n        \"seller\": {\n          \"@type\": \"Organization\",\n          \"@id\": \"https:\/\/www.midnightwhiskey.com\/#org\",\n          \"name\": \"Midnight Whiskey\"\n        }\n      }\n    },\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"BreadcrumbList\",\n      \"@id\": \"https:\/\/www.midnightwhiskey.com\/products\/king-of-kentucky-small-batch-2026-batch-1#breadcrumb\",\n      \"itemListElement\": [\n        {\n          \"@type\": \"ListItem\",\n          \"position\": 1,\n          \"name\": \"Home\",\n          \"item\": \"https:\/\/www.midnightwhiskey.com\"\n        },\n        {\n          \"@type\": \"ListItem\",\n          \"position\": 2,\n          \"name\": \"Bourbon\",\n          \"item\": \"https:\/\/www.midnightwhiskey.com\/collections\/whiskey\"\n        },\n        {\n          \"@type\": \"ListItem\",\n          \"position\": 3,\n          \"name\": \"King of Kentucky Small Batch 1\"\n        }\n      ]\n    },\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"FAQPage\",\n      \"@id\": \"https:\/\/www.midnightwhiskey.com\/products\/king-of-kentucky-small-batch-2026-batch-1#faq\",\n      \"about\": {\n        \"@id\": \"https:\/\/www.midnightwhiskey.com\/products\/king-of-kentucky-small-batch-2026-batch-1#product\"\n      },\n      \"mainEntity\": [\n        {\n          \"@type\": \"Question\",\n          \"name\": \"What proof is King of Kentucky Small Batch Batch 1?\",\n          \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n            \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n            \"text\": \"Batch 1 of the 2026 King of Kentucky Small Batch collection is bottled at 105 proof, or 52.5% ABV, the lowest of the three batches Brown-Forman released. Batch 2 is 107.5 proof and Batch 3 is 110 proof. All three are Kentucky straight bourbon, non-chill filtered, in 700 mL bottles.\"\n          }\n        },\n        {\n          \"@type\": \"Question\",\n          \"name\": \"How old is King of Kentucky Small Batch?\",\n          \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n            \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n            \"text\": \"The King of Kentucky Small Batch bottles carry a 12-year age statement, and Brown-Forman states that each blend is drawn from barrels aged 12 to 18 years. A US age statement names the youngest whiskey in the bottle, so 12 years is a floor rather than an average for this release. Brown-Forman announced the collection on 4 February 2026.\"\n          }\n        },\n        {\n          \"@type\": \"Question\",\n          \"name\": \"What is the difference between King of Kentucky Small Batch and King of Kentucky Single Barrel?\",\n          \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n            \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n            \"text\": \"King of Kentucky Small Batch is a 2026 collection of three batches, each blended from barrels aged 12 to 18 years and bottled at 105, 107.5 or 110 proof. King of Kentucky Single Barrel is the brand's long-running release, drawn from one barrel at a time, and Brown-Forman has said it continues annually each fall. 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