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Everything you need to know about Kentucky Owl Distillery
Most popular bottles from the distillery
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Kentucky Owl Confiscated Bourbon Whiskey£136.95 Inc VAT -
Kentucky Owl St Patrick's Edition Straight Bourbon Whiskey£114.99 Inc VAT
A brief History
Kentucky Owl, Kentucky Region, USA. Founded in late 1800s.
Kentucky Owl is one of those bourbon names that disappeared… and then came back louder than before.
The original brand dates back to the late 1800s, founded by Charles Mortimer Dedman in Kentucky. Like many American distilleries, it didn’t survive Prohibition. The name went quiet for decades.
Then in 2014, a descendant of the Dedman family revived it. But instead of building a traditional distillery first, Kentucky Owl returned as a high-end, small-batch bourbon and rye brand built around carefully selected sourced whiskey. The positioning was clear from day one: premium, limited, and unapologetically bold.
Today, Kentucky Owl sits in that luxury American whiskey space — higher price points, strong proof, small releases. It’s not everyday mixing bourbon. It’s designed to be sipped and talked about.
Taste Profile
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Sweet |
Spicy | Rich / Chocolatey |
Kentucky Owl is known for its full-bodied, smooth, and slightly bold profile. You’ll usually get a deep caramel sweetness up front, followed by vanilla and darker notes like cocoa. The spice builds gradually—cinnamon and clove—especially in higher proof releases.
The finish tends to be long and warming, with a slightly dry edge from the oak.
Top 4 Flavour Profile Ingredients
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Caramel / Toffee |
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Vanilla |
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Cinnamon / Clove |
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Dark Chocolate / Cocoa |
Popular Kentucky Owl Bottles
Because the brand focuses on small batches, the lineup shifts—but these are the key releases:
- Kentucky Owl Batch Series (Batch #1–#13)
Limited small batch releases, often higher proof and slightly different each time. - Kentucky Owl Confiscated Bourbon
A more accessible expression, smoother and easier to drink. - Kentucky Owl Rye Whiskey
Adds more spice and structure, with a drier finish. - Kentucky Owl “The Wiseman” Range
A broader lineup designed for more regular drinking.
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The Distillery
The Distiller: Rabbit Hole Distillery
Address: Bardstown, Kentucky, USA
 Open in maps |
 Unavailable |
 Unavailable |
Visitor Centre
Kentucky Owl now has a physical presence in Bardstown, although historically it operated purely as a blending brand.
- Visitor Centre: Yes
- Tours Available: Yes
- Opening Times:
Typically around 10:00am – 5:00pm (can vary)
Ownership & History
Current Owner:
- Stoli Group
Key Timeline:
- 1879 – Founded by Charles Mortimer Dedman
- 1916 – Closed during Prohibition
- 2014 – Revived by Dixon Dedman
- 2017 – Acquired by Stoli Group
Distillery Facts
Overview & History
Kentucky Owl is a revived Kentucky bourbon brand with origins dating back to the late 1800s, originally founded by C.M. Dedman.
The original distillery ceased operations around the time of Prohibition, and the brand disappeared for decades. It was revived in 2014 by Dixon Dedman, a descendant of the founder, who reintroduced the brand using sourced and carefully blended whiskey.
Kentucky Owl quickly positioned itself as a premium small-batch bourbon, known for high pricing and limited releases. The brand was later acquired by the Stoli Group.
Production
- Category: Kentucky Straight Bourbon and Rye (blended and sourced)
- Distillation: Primarily sourced whiskey (not originally distilled in-house)
- Blending: Small batch blending of selected barrels
- Barrels: New charred American oak
The brand focuses on blending mature stocks rather than large-scale distillation.
Whisky Style
Kentucky Owl typically shows:
- Rich caramel and toffee
- Dark fruit and molasses
- Toasted oak
- Baking spice
- Full-bodied, warming finish
The style is generally bold and concentrated, often reflecting older whiskey stocks.
Key Expressions
- Kentucky Owl Batch Series – Numbered small-batch releases
- Kentucky Owl Confiscated – More accessible core expression
- Kentucky Owl Rye – Premium rye releases
- Limited special editions and collaborations
Each batch release varies depending on the blend.
Significance
Kentucky Owl is part of the modern premium bourbon revival, where heritage brands are relaunched using sourced whiskey and positioned at the high end of the market.
Its rapid rise reflects growing global demand for limited, high-end American whiskey, particularly among collectors and enthusiasts.
Kentucky Owl Whisky to Buy
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