{"product_id":"king-of-kentucky-small-batch-bourbon-2026-release-batch-2-of-3-copy","title":"King of Kentucky Small Batch Bourbon (2026 Release - Batch 3 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 3 is the highest-strength bottling of Brown-Forman’s three-batch 2026 series at 110 proof (55% ABV), a Kentucky straight bourbon carrying a 12-year age statement and blended from barrels aged 12 to 18 years. Brown-Forman describes it as the longest and most oak-forward of the three. It is non-chill filtered, bottled in 700 mL, and made at the Shively, Kentucky distillery under DSP-KY-354.\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\u003eHighest strength in the 2026 series at 110 proof (55% ABV), above the 105-proof and 107.5-proof bottlings.\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 gives this batch the longest and most oak-forward finish of the three.\u003c\/li\u003e\n      \u003cli\u003eBottled at a set proof, not at barrel strength — the distinction from the annual King of Kentucky Single Barrel release.\u003c\/li\u003e\n      \u003cli\u003eNon-chill filtered, 700 mL, made at the Brown-Forman Distillery in Shively, Kentucky, DSP-KY-354.\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 and brown sugar, lifted by citrus and pine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n        \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePalate:\u003c\/strong\u003e Oak forward, spice behind it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n        \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFinish:\u003c\/strong\u003e The longest of the three, and the most oak-driven.\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\u003eBatch 3 is where the experiment pays off: five proof points above Batch 1, the same 12-to-18-year stock behind it, and a finish Brown-Forman itself calls the longest of the set. Buyers who want one bottle from the series usually want this one. It anchors \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/midnightwhiskey.com\/collections\/whiskey\" class=\"mw-accent\"\u003ethe barrel-archive bourbons at Midnight Whiskey\u003c\/a\u003e, with \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/midnightwhiskey.com\/products\/king-of-kentucky-small-batch-2026-batch-2\" class=\"mw-accent\"\u003ethe 107.5-proof batch below it\u003c\/a\u003e for anyone building the ladder in order.\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 3 of 3, 2026 Small Batch collection\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eProof\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e110\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eABV\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e55%\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 3 is the top-of-ladder bottle: without the 105-proof reading from \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/midnightwhiskey.com\/products\/king-of-kentucky-small-batch-2026-batch-1\" class=\"mw-accent\"\u003ethe entry-level Batch 1\u003c\/a\u003e, the climb to 110 proof 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\u003eThis is the batch water was made for. Taste it neat first so the oak and the citrus register at full strength, then add water a few drops at a time — at 110 proof the change is far larger than it is at 105, which is precisely what Brown-Forman built the series to demonstrate. Give it a long glass and no ice; chilling shortens the finish that makes this bottling the one people remember.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n  \u003cdetails\u003e\n    \u003csummary\u003eProduction Methodology\u003c\/summary\u003e\n    \u003cdiv class=\"details-content\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe three 2026 bottlings differ by bottling strength, and Batch 3 is where Brown-Forman stopped: 110 proof, five points above the opening batch and the ceiling of the set. Bottling strength is a decision made after maturation rather than during it, which is why the same 12-to-18-year stock reads so differently across the series — less water leaves more of the oak extraction and the heavier aromatics intact, and Brown-Forman assigned this batch the longest finish of the three on that basis. Master Distiller Emeritus Chris Morris held the barrels behind the collection back for years before releasing them. The whiskey was made at the Brown-Forman Distillery in Shively, Kentucky, DSP-KY-354, and bottled without chill filtration.\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 3?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n      \u003cp\u003eBatch 3 of the 2026 King of Kentucky Small Batch collection is bottled at 110 proof, or 55% ABV, the highest of the three batches. Batch 1 is 105 proof and Batch 2 is 107.5 proof. Brown-Forman describes Batch 3 as having the longest and most oak-forward finish of the set.\u003c\/p\u003e\n      \u003ch3 class=\"mw-q\"\u003eWhy did Brown-Forman release King of Kentucky Small Batch in 2026?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n      \u003cp\u003eBrown-Forman released the King of Kentucky Small Batch collection to mark the 250th anniversary of the United States and of the creation of Kentucky County, Virginia, which later became the state of Kentucky. Brown-Forman announced it on 4 February 2026. It is the first three-batch series King of Kentucky has released, and the brand's annual Single Barrel expression continues separately each fall.\u003c\/p\u003e\n      \u003ch3 class=\"mw-q\"\u003eIs King of Kentucky Small Batch bottled at barrel strength?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n      \u003cp\u003eNo. Brown-Forman bottled the three 2026 King of Kentucky Small Batch releases at set proofs of 105, 107.5 and 110 rather than at each blend's natural barrel strength. King of Kentucky Single Barrel, the brand's annual fall release, is the barrel-strength expression. Some retailer listings describe the Small Batch bottles as barrel strength; Brown-Forman's own release does not.\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-3#product\",\n      \"name\": \"King of Kentucky Small Batch, Batch 3 of 3, 2026\",\n      \"url\": \"https:\/\/www.midnightwhiskey.com\/products\/king-of-kentucky-small-batch-2026-batch-3\",\n      \"mainEntityOfPage\": \"https:\/\/www.midnightwhiskey.com\/products\/king-of-kentucky-small-batch-2026-batch-3\",\n      \"image\": \"https:\/\/www.midnightwhiskey.com\/cdn\/shop\/files\/king-of-kentucky-small-batch-2026-batch-3.jpg\",\n      \"description\": \"Batch 3 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 110 proof, the highest of the three batches.\",\n      \"sku\": \"KOK-SB-BOURBON-2026-B3\",\n      \"mpn\": \"KOK-SB-BOURBON-2026-B3\",\n      \"gtin13\": \"10812066025937\",\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\": \"110\"\n        },\n        {\n          \"@type\": \"PropertyValue\",\n          \"name\": \"ABV\",\n          \"value\": \"55%\"\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-3#offer\",\n        \"url\": \"https:\/\/www.midnightwhiskey.com\/products\/king-of-kentucky-small-batch-2026-batch-3\",\n        \"priceCurrency\": \"USD\",\n        \"price\": \"499.95\",\n        \"availability\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\/InStock\",\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-3#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 3\"\n        }\n      ]\n    },\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"FAQPage\",\n      \"@id\": \"https:\/\/www.midnightwhiskey.com\/products\/king-of-kentucky-small-batch-2026-batch-3#faq\",\n      \"about\": {\n        \"@id\": \"https:\/\/www.midnightwhiskey.com\/products\/king-of-kentucky-small-batch-2026-batch-3#product\"\n      },\n      \"mainEntity\": [\n        {\n          \"@type\": \"Question\",\n          \"name\": \"What proof is King of Kentucky Small Batch Batch 3?\",\n          \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n            \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n            \"text\": \"Batch 3 of the 2026 King of Kentucky Small Batch collection is bottled at 110 proof, or 55% ABV, the highest of the three batches. Batch 1 is 105 proof and Batch 2 is 107.5 proof. Brown-Forman describes Batch 3 as having the longest and most oak-forward finish of the set.\"\n          }\n        },\n        {\n          \"@type\": \"Question\",\n          \"name\": \"Why did Brown-Forman release King of Kentucky Small Batch in 2026?\",\n          \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n            \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n            \"text\": \"Brown-Forman released the King of Kentucky Small Batch collection to mark the 250th anniversary of the United States and of the creation of Kentucky County, Virginia, which later became the state of Kentucky. Brown-Forman announced it on 4 February 2026. It is the first three-batch series King of Kentucky has released, and the brand's annual Single Barrel expression continues separately each fall.\"\n          }\n        },\n        {\n          \"@type\": \"Question\",\n          \"name\": \"Is King of Kentucky Small Batch bottled at barrel strength?\",\n          \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n            \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n            \"text\": \"No. Brown-Forman bottled the three 2026 King of Kentucky Small Batch releases at set proofs of 105, 107.5 and 110 rather than at each blend's natural barrel strength. King of Kentucky Single Barrel, the brand's annual fall release, is the barrel-strength expression. Some retailer listings describe the Small Batch bottles as barrel strength; Brown-Forman's own release does not.\"\n          }\n        }\n      ]\n    }\n  ]\n}\n\u003c\/script\u003e","brand":"Brown-Forman Distillery","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46147958439970,"sku":"082184009246","price":499.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0812\/5566\/1602\/files\/KOK12B3F.jpg?v=1785614344","url":"https:\/\/midnightwhiskey.com\/products\/king-of-kentucky-small-batch-bourbon-2026-release-batch-2-of-3-copy","provider":"Midnight Whiskey ","version":"1.0","type":"link"}