Cream of Kentucky Cask Strength Bourbon Review [In Depth]
Cream of Kentucky Cask Strength Bourbon
by: ALEX WANG
Founder, writer
Founder, writer
Cream of Kentucky Cask Strength Bourbon Details
Distillery: Unknown, probably sourced
Type & Region: Bourbon, Kentucky, USA
Alcohol: 53.2%
Composition: Unknown
Aged: At least 4 years
Color: 1.2/2.0 on the color scale (chestnut, oloroso sherry)
Price: $90-100
From the media release:
2024 Cask Strength Bourbon The 2024 Cask Strength Bourbon features a bold proof of 114, offering a rich, uncut flavor profile. This bourbon highlights the deep, caramelized notes of toffee, oak, and vanilla. The intense flavor and warming finish make this a standout choice for aficionados and collectors.
Cream of Kentucky Cask Strength Bourbon overview
I’ll keep this introduction short and hopefully sweet. Cream of Kentucky is a brand that was revived by Jim Rutledge, who was the former master distiller at Four Roses. Over the years, there have been numerous Kentucky bourbon and rye releases, with some as old as 13-16 years old. I’ve not had any of those, although in hindsight I wish I had the chance.
But at the end of the day, few distilleries / companies can only sell 12+ year old bourbon on regular…it’s just not how it works anymore. Blue Run did it for maybe 2 years (if even that), and then quickly shifted over to mostly 4-5 year old bourbon, with the occasional 8 year. Having an abundant stock of 10+ year old bourbon was a thing before maybe before the 2000’s, when Jim was working at Four Roses, but there’s too much demand and 12 years is a long time to wait when there are a lot of people waiting.
Just like Blue Run, Cream of Kentucky over time has also shifted mostly (not completely) towards non-age stated bourbons. One of those, to satiate the person who wants a bolder and more punchy experience, is Cream of Kentucky Cask Strength.
While the age is not explicitly stated I expect that the bourbon is at least 4 years old.
While Kentucky Straight bourbon implies that it’s at least 2 years old and I don’t have a whole bottle on me to check the label for an age statement, I suspect that the $90+ price tag means that it’s at least 4-5 years old, if not older. It would be ludicrous for it to be $90 and 4 years old…but it’s not impossible.
Let’s find out if the stronger version of the small batch bourbon also brings stronger everything in this Cream of Kentucky Cask Strength Bourbon review.
This sample was provided at no cost to me. Opinions are still my own.
As an FYI, I bought and use these Glencairn glasses for everything (they’re the best): Glencairn Crystal Whiskey Glass Set of 6, Set of 4, Set of 2, or just one. Full transparency, this is an affiliate link, so I may earn a commission if you buy this or something else from Amazon.
Cream of Kentucky Cask Strength Bourbon smell
I smell honey, apple, orange, toasted oak, clove, cinnamon, dry oak, vanilla, toasted grains, licorice, cherry, coffee, and darker nougat. There’s some sweetness, fruitiness, oakiness, and spice in fairly equal amounts, plus some Fall vibes in the form of apple and spice.
That said, Cream of Kentucky Cask Strength feels a lot like other 4-5 year old bourbons that I’ve had before, although at times less interesting and developed. It’s nothing groundbreaking, with decent richness but lacking expressiveness and pop, but it still smells pretty good.
After swirling and rest, there’s honey, vanilla, orange peel, something floral like honeysuckle, roasted and dried oak, cinnamon, clove, dried grain, and some cantaloupe and darker sweet nougat.
The higher ABV does bring some more fullness, but it doesn’t bring much more expressiveness or depth to make it that more exciting. It’s more of the surface level scents.
Cream of Kentucky Cask Strength continues to smell pretty good, but nothing wows or amazes, It’s neither boring nor captivating. Even though I can say that I mostly enjoy it, it’s not inspiring or unique in any way. Put this in a lineup and I definitely couldn’t pick out from a group.
Cream of Kentucky Cask Strength Bourbon taste and aftertaste
I initially taste honey, dried red apple, cherry, vanilla, roasted oak, cinnamon, clove, licorice, coffee, and some dry oak and earthy caraway seed. Credit where it’s due though, it tastes more rich and interesting than it smells.
Cream of Kentucky Cask Strength bourbon tastes like a 4-5 year old bourbon. What I mean is that the flavors have good sweetness and fruitiness, but the slightly more oak and spice-forward flavors that lack darkness or definition show that the bourbon is still relatively young. It’s not necessarily immature, but it’s not mature either.
After “chewing”, I taste honey, orange, apricot, vanilla, roasted oak, caramel nougat and brown sugar, cinnamon, allspice, licorice, toasted biscuit, and a little bit of earthy caraway seed. There’s a little bit of a sweet cornbread taste because of the grain.
“Chewing” thankfully wakes up the bourbon and brings out some richer sweetness, fruitiness, life, and overall character that make the flavors more interesting and balanced. The higher ABV also helps fill out the body and fullness.
The finish leaves honey, roasted oak, baked red apple, toasted oak and grain, caraway seed, and a little dryness. “Chewing” leaves more lingering honey, lemon, and toasted oak.
Overall, the flavors still aren’t particularly unique or noteworthy, but I more confidently write that I enjoy them for what they are.
I’ve unfortunately lost some Glencairn’s while in transit, and that made me very sad. So, I wised up and bought this Glencairn Travel Case that comes also comes with 2 glasses so I don’t need to worry so much about them breaking. I think it’s great, and I think you’ll love it too.
Seriously, if you already have glasses, protect them.
Cream of Kentucky Cask Strength BourbonRating
Cream of Kentucky Cask Strength is one of those bourbons that is good in isolation, but is really not that interesting or compelling when compared to the whole gamut of what’s out there. And wow it’s crazy expensive for how it drinks.
Sure, Jim Rutledge is a famous name in the bourbon industry, but his name and involvement really don’t do enough to produce a compelling bourbon for you and me. It’s not flawed and not immature, but you and I can do better than that. There are so many well-made and even better bourbons out there, from Kentucky and across the US, that Cream of Kentucky ends up being a tough sell.
Kentucky bourbon is at this point where 4-5 year bourbon is abundant. Everyone and their mother produces or sources it. That might have been an interesting differentiator in 2020 when a new name with 4-5 year old bourbon would fly off the shelf (as would all the other bourbons), but we’re now years past the pandemic and people are far more selective. They need a reason to believe…a reason to buy…and a reason to buy again. I personally believe that this bourbon does not offer that.
A thought came to mind as I completed writing this review and finished tasting a bourbon made in Colorado – that Colorado distillery (Mile High Spirits) is making bourbon far more unique, interesting, and impressive than this Cream of Kentucky Cask Strength Bourbon, such as their Bottled in Bond Wheated Bourbon, and it’s not close. Cream of Kentucky mixes in with the crowd.
At the end of the day, Cream of Kentucky Cask Strength Bourbon is a solid offering, but I honestly don’t recommend this. There’s just so much great and interesting bourbon out there, and this quickly falls far in the back. You don’t have unlimited money so you probably want to spend your money more judiciously. This might have been a more compelling buy at $40.
Meet the Author: Alex
I have far too much fun writing about whiskey and singlehandedly running The Whiskey Shelf to bring you independent, honest, and useful reviews, comparisons, and more. I’m proudly Asian American and can speak Cantonese, Mandarin, and some Japanese.
There are no sponsors, no media companies, and no nonsense. Support The Whiskey Shelf by Buying Me A Shot.
Shattered glass really sucks, so if you’re on the move, this Glencairn-like stainless steel snifter glass should survive your travels. Full transparency, this is an Amazon affiliate link, so I may earn a commission if you buy this or something else from Amazon.
BrüMate NOS’R, Double-Wall Stainless Steel Whiskey Nosing Glass – 7oz (Matte Black)
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