Kentucky Owl Bourbon
Kentucky blended bourbon, revived from a 1916 fire.
The story behind Kentucky Owl
Kentucky Owl began in 1879 with Charles Mortimer Dedman, a Kentucky pharmacist who blended bourbon in Bardstown. In 1916 federal agents seized 250,000 gallons from his distillery on the eve of Prohibition, and the stock later burned in a warehouse fire. The label sat dormant for nearly a century until his great-great-grandson, Dixon Dedman, revived it in 2014. Stoli Group acquired the brand in 2017.
Kentucky Owl does not distill its own commercial whiskey. It is a non-distiller producer, selecting and blending barrels from undisclosed Kentucky distilleries. That blending philosophy, high-rye and wheated stocks married across varying ages, is the whole identity. Master Blender John Rhea, a Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame inductee, signed Batch 13 as his final release.
Explore the Kentucky Owl range
Six expressions reach us, from a 90.8 proof everyday pour to barrel-proof numbered batches. Availability shifts fast, so call before you drive.
| Expression | Type | Proof / ABV | Tasting notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Wiseman Straight Bourbon | Straight bourbon | 90.8 | Entry pour, bright and approachable, easy neat |
| Confiscated | Blended bourbon | 96.4 | Named for the 1916 seizure, richer and spicier |
| Straight Rye | Rye whiskey | Varies by release | Peppery rye backbone, long dry finish |
| St. Patrick's Edition | Limited bourbon | Varies by release | Seasonal limited run, collectible bottle |
| Numbered Batches | Barrel proof bourbon | 113 to 118 | Uncut, unfiltered, aged components, neat only |
| Straight Bourbon 750mL | Straight bourbon | Varies by release | Flagship bottling, deep oak and caramel |
SpiritKentucky Owl - Straight Bourbon 750mL$599.99Out of stock
SpiritKentucky Owl - Straight Rye 750mL$219.99Out of stock
SpiritKentucky Owl - Confiscated 750mL$179.99Out of stock
BourbonKentucky Owl - St. Patrick's Edition 750mL$159.99Out of stock
SpiritKentucky Owl - Wiseman Rye 750mL$49.99Out of stock
SpiritKentucky Owl - Wiseman Bourbon 750mL$49.99Which Kentucky Owl is right for you?
Pricing here tracks the tiers the brand actually occupies. The Wiseman Bourbon and Wiseman Rye both sit at $49.99, the accessible end. Confiscated runs $179.99, St. Patrick's Edition $159.99, and Straight Rye $219.99. The flagship Straight Bourbon is $599.99, which reflects limited-run, barrel-proof blending with heavily aged sourced stock. Numbered batches are why some Kentucky Owl bottles cost what they do: uncut, unfiltered, small blends. If you want to buy Kentucky Owl online without guessing, these are the six bottles we stock, and our bourbon aisle holds the rest.
$49.99, 90.8 proof, neat or on one rock without ceremony.
$179.99, a story on the label and a 96 point IWSC score.
$599.99 flagship, limited blending, the bottle you keep sealed.