Kentucky Owl Maighstir Edition Limited Release Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whisky 700mL

Maighstir is born from a collaboration between Kentucky Owl® Master Blender, John Rhea and Scotch Whisky Master Blender, Maureen Robinson. Maighstir (pronounced May-stir) is a traditional Gaelic word meaning "Master".

Kentucky Owl, with the help of its master blender Maureen Robinson, has launched the Maighstir Edition, a combination of premium scotch and bourbon.

The Maighstir Edition is a mix of 4-year-old, 5-year-old, 8-year-old, and 9-year-old Kentucky straight bourbons with mash bills containing corn, wheat, and malted barley.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: There is a sweet sense of small grains particularly the malted barley, with a hint of sweet caramel. The balance of the small grains (wheat and barley) with the hint of sweet caramel/vanilla, gives the immediate sensation and question in your mind; is this a great bourbon, or is this a great Scotch? Honestly, smelling it will make you feel like you are in a Scotch Whisky warehouse.

Palate: Initially there is sense of warm spicy sweetness from the rye that you might expect from a great bourbon, but then the combination and soft tones from the wheat and barley give a pleasant calming warmness to the tongue. As it melts in the mouth the essence of orange and grapefruit linger behind the soft velvety feel in the mouth.

Finish: In the throat, the soft caramel/vanilla reappears and trails away with a long soft pleasant finish.

"Maybe this whiskey is more about bringing a scotch blender’s methodology to bourbon, in the way that other releases from Kentucky Owl, as well as brands like Beam Suntory’s Legent, have worked with Japanese blenders to create new whiskeys. But that’s not really how Maighstir Edition was pitched, and that might be a sticking point for some whiskey fans. And, given the track record of other Kentucky Owl releases, this may very well skyrocket past its $150 SRP on the secondary market. But if you find a bottle, forget about the scotch inspiration (or don’t and see what notes you can pick up), and just enjoy a high-quality new bourbon blend." - Jonah Flicker, Robb Report (90 Points)

"The nose offers gumdrops, blackberry jam, and spicy herbs, while the palate is soft and fruity, with raisin, sweetened caffe au lait, and some bitter chocolate. Both the palate and the finish are softly textured, and the finish is long and filled with vanilla."  - David Fleming, Whisky Advocate (91 Points)