{"product_id":"king-of-kentucky-small-batch-2026-batch-3","title":"King of Kentucky Small Batch Bourbon (2026 Release - Batch 3 of 3)","description":"\u003cstyle\u003e\n.mw-master-container{\n  --mw-accent: #f0e1c4;   \/* metallic foil *\/\n  --mw-glow:   #d14e09;   \/* power color *\/\n  --mw-glow-ink: #c34909;   \/* glow deepened for text on the light ground *\/\n  --mw-accent-ink: #797062;   \/* accent deepened for links on the light ground *\/\n  --mw-dark:   #060404;   \/* deep ground *\/\n  --mw-bg:     #faf6f0;   \/* light ground *\/\n  --mw-panel:  #f7e9de; --mw-hair: #f1d1bd; --mw-card: #ffffff;\n  --mw-ink: #1a0b04; --mw-body: #331405; --mw-muted: #74716e;\n  --mw-dhair: #431a06; --mw-dtext: #faf6f0; --mw-dbody: #f3dbcb; --mw-dmuted: #f0e1c4;\n  font-family:inherit; background:var(--mw-bg); color:var(--mw-ink);\n  line-height:1.7; padding:0 0 80px 0; margin-bottom:60px; box-sizing:border-box;\n}\n.mw-master-container *{ box-sizing:border-box; }\n.mw-master-container h2,.mw-master-container h3,.mw-master-container p,\n.mw-master-container dl,.mw-master-container dt,.mw-master-container dd,\n.mw-master-container ul{ margin:0; 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border:1px solid var(--mw-hair);\n  margin-bottom:15px; border-radius:6px; }\n.mw-master-container summary{ padding:18px 20px; color:var(--mw-glow-ink); 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:2px; font-size:0.8rem; }\n.mw-master-container summary::-webkit-details-marker{ display:none; }\n.mw-master-container summary::after{ content:'+'; font-size:1.15rem; color:var(--mw-glow-ink); font-weight:normal; }\n.mw-master-container details[open]{ border-color:var(--mw-glow); }\n.mw-master-container details[open] summary::after{ content:'\\2212'; }\n.mw-master-container .details-content{ padding:0 20px 20px 20px; font-size:0.95rem; color:var(--mw-body); }\n.mw-master-container .mw-q{ font-size:0.95rem; font-weight:bold; color:var(--mw-ink); margin-top:16px; }\n.mw-master-container .details-content .mw-q:first-child{ margin-top:0; }\n\n.mw-master-container .mw-list{ padding-left:20px; font-size:0.95rem; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-hero-rule{ margin-top:56px; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-signoff{ margin-top:80px; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-signoff .mw-rule{ margin-top:0; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-signoff .mw-tag-a{ color:var(--mw-glow-ink); }\n.mw-master-container .mw-signoff .mw-tag-m{ color:var(--mw-muted); }\n.mw-master-container .mw-signoff-row{ display:flex; justify-content:space-between; align-items:baseline;\n  gap:16px; flex-wrap:wrap; padding-top:20px; }\n@media (max-width:768px){\n  .mw-master-container .mw-wrap{ padding:0 24px; }\n  .mw-master-container .mw-points{ grid-template-columns:1fr; }\n}\n\u003c\/style\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"mw-master-container\"\u003e\n\n  \u003cdiv class=\"mw-hero\"\u003e\n    \u003cdiv class=\"mw-wrap\"\u003e\n      \u003cdiv class=\"mw-topbar\"\u003e\n        \u003cspan class=\"mw-tag mw-tag-a\"\u003eMidnight Whiskey · The Vault\u003c\/span\u003e\n        \u003cspan class=\"mw-tag mw-tag-m\"\u003eBrown-Forman Distillery · Shively, Kentucky\u003c\/span\u003e\n      \u003c\/div\u003e\n      \u003cdiv class=\"mw-masthead\"\u003e\n        \u003cp class=\"mw-kicker\"\u003eBrown-Forman Distillery · Shively, Kentucky\u003c\/p\u003e\n        \u003ch2 class=\"mw-title\"\u003eKing of Kentucky\u003c\/h2\u003e\n        \u003cdiv class=\"mw-city-title\"\u003eSmall Batch 2026 Batch 3\u003c\/div\u003e\n        \u003cp class=\"mw-subline\"\u003e110 Proof · 55% ABV · 2026 Released · Feb 2026 Announced\u003c\/p\u003e\n      \u003c\/div\u003e\n      \u003cdiv class=\"mw-rule mw-hero-rule\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n      \u003cdiv class=\"mw-stats\"\u003e\n        \u003cdiv class=\"mw-stat\"\u003e\n          \u003cdiv class=\"mw-stat-n\"\u003e110\u003c\/div\u003e\n          \u003cdiv class=\"mw-stat-l\"\u003eProof\u003c\/div\u003e\n        \u003c\/div\u003e\n        \u003cdiv class=\"mw-stat\"\u003e\n          \u003cdiv class=\"mw-stat-n\"\u003e55%\u003c\/div\u003e\n          \u003cdiv class=\"mw-stat-l\"\u003eABV\u003c\/div\u003e\n        \u003c\/div\u003e\n        \u003cdiv class=\"mw-stat\"\u003e\n          \u003cdiv class=\"mw-stat-n\"\u003e2026\u003c\/div\u003e\n          \u003cdiv class=\"mw-stat-l\"\u003eReleased\u003c\/div\u003e\n        \u003c\/div\u003e\n        \u003cdiv class=\"mw-stat\"\u003e\n          \u003cdiv class=\"mw-stat-n\"\u003eFeb 2026\u003c\/div\u003e\n          \u003cdiv class=\"mw-stat-l\"\u003eAnnounced\u003c\/div\u003e\n        \u003c\/div\u003e\n        \u003cdiv class=\"mw-stat\"\u003e\n          \u003cdiv class=\"mw-stat-n\"\u003e700 mL\u003c\/div\u003e\n          \u003cdiv class=\"mw-stat-l\"\u003eFormat\u003c\/div\u003e\n        \u003c\/div\u003e\n        \u003cdiv class=\"mw-stat\"\u003e\n          \u003cdiv class=\"mw-stat-n\"\u003eKentucky\u003c\/div\u003e\n          \u003cdiv class=\"mw-stat-l\"\u003eRegion\u003c\/div\u003e\n        \u003c\/div\u003e\n      \u003c\/div\u003e\n      \u003cdiv class=\"speakable\"\u003e\n        \u003cp class=\"mw-lede\"\u003eKing of Kentucky Small Batch Batch 3 is the 110-proof bottling, the highest strength in Brown-Forman’s 2026 release and the one where oak takes the lead. It is a 12-year Kentucky straight bourbon on a mash bill of 75% corn, 15% rye and 10% malted barley, blended from roughly 100 barrels aged 12 to 18 years at the Brown-Forman Distillery in Shively, Kentucky under DSP-KY-354, and bottled at 700 mL. Despite the brand’s barrel-strength reputation, Batch 3 is proofed down with Kentucky limestone water like the other two.\u003c\/p\u003e\n      \u003c\/div\u003e\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n  \u003cdiv class=\"mw-wrap mw-section\"\u003e\n    \u003cdiv class=\"mw-chap\"\u003e\n      \u003cspan class=\"mw-chap-no\"\u003eNº 01\u003c\/span\u003e\n      \u003ch2 class=\"mw-h3\"\u003eThe Elemental Distinction\u003c\/h2\u003e\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n    \u003cdiv class=\"mw-points\"\u003e\n      \u003cdiv class=\"mw-point\"\u003e\n        \u003cb\u003e01\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e110 proof, 55% ABV —\u003c\/strong\u003e the top of the 2026 range, five proof points above Batch 1.\u003c\/p\u003e\n      \u003c\/div\u003e\n      \u003cdiv class=\"mw-point\"\u003e\n        \u003cb\u003e02\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe longest and most oak-forward finish of the three,\u003c\/strong\u003e per Brown-Forman’s own notes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n      \u003c\/div\u003e\n      \u003cdiv class=\"mw-point\"\u003e\n        \u003cb\u003e03\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNot barrel strength.\u003c\/strong\u003e The single-barrel King of Kentucky is; this is proofed down with limestone water.\u003c\/p\u003e\n      \u003c\/div\u003e\n      \u003cdiv class=\"mw-point\"\u003e\n        \u003cb\u003e04\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e12-year age statement,\u003c\/strong\u003e from the same blend that produced Batches 1 and 2.\u003c\/p\u003e\n      \u003c\/div\u003e\n      \u003cdiv class=\"mw-point\"\u003e\n        \u003cb\u003e05\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe brand’s first small-batch bourbon in more than 90 years,\u003c\/strong\u003e and the first three-batch series it has ever issued.\u003c\/p\u003e\n      \u003c\/div\u003e\n      \u003cdiv class=\"mw-point\"\u003e\n        \u003cb\u003e06\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e700 mL, suggested at $299 by Brown-Forman, into 36 markets with all three batches equally represented.\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n      \u003c\/div\u003e\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n  \u003cdiv class=\"mw-dark-band\"\u003e\n    \u003cdiv class=\"mw-wrap\"\u003e\n      \u003cdiv class=\"mw-chap\"\u003e\n        \u003cspan class=\"mw-chap-no\"\u003eNº 02\u003c\/span\u003e\n        \u003ch2 class=\"mw-h3\"\u003eThe Small Batch Build\u003c\/h2\u003e\n        \u003cspan class=\"mw-chap-r\"\u003eSmall Batch 2026 Batch 3\u003c\/span\u003e\n      \u003c\/div\u003e\n      \u003cp class=\"mw-bodycopy\"\u003eKing of Kentucky dates to 1881, when the Louisville distiller and horseman John Roach named it for thoroughbred racing. Brown-Forman has held the brand since 1936 and brought it back in 2018 as a single-barrel bourbon bottled at full barrel strength, which is the version that built its reputation. The 2026 Small Batch is a deliberate break from that model and the brand's first small-batch bourbon in more than 90 years. It came about because barrels pulled for the annual single-barrel selection were yielding too little to bottle on their own, so Morris and whiskey developer Cole Irvin blended roughly 100 of them into one profile instead, divided it three ways, and brought each portion to strength with Kentucky limestone water. The single-barrel release continues every fall; this one exists alongside it, not in place of it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n  \u003cdiv class=\"mw-wrap mw-section\"\u003e\n    \u003cdiv class=\"mw-chap\"\u003e\n      \u003cspan class=\"mw-chap-no\"\u003eNº 03\u003c\/span\u003e\n      \u003ch2 class=\"mw-h3\"\u003eThe Batch\u003c\/h2\u003e\n      \u003cspan class=\"mw-chap-r\"\u003eHow the blend was built\u003c\/span\u003e\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n    \u003cdiv class=\"mw-casks\"\u003e\n      \u003cdiv class=\"mw-cask\"\u003e\n        \u003cdiv class=\"mw-cask-k\"\u003eBatch construction\u003c\/div\u003e\n        \u003ch3\u003eApproximately 100 barrels blended to a\u003c\/h3\u003e\n        \u003cp\u003eSingle profile, then divided into three and bottled at different proofs\u003c\/p\u003e\n      \u003c\/div\u003e\n      \u003cdiv class=\"mw-cask\"\u003e\n        \u003cdiv class=\"mw-cask-k\"\u003eProofing\u003c\/div\u003e\n        \u003ch3\u003eBrought to bottling strength with\u003c\/h3\u003e\n        \u003cp\u003eKentucky limestone water — not bottled at barrel strength\u003c\/p\u003e\n      \u003c\/div\u003e\n      \u003cdiv class=\"mw-cask\"\u003e\n        \u003cdiv class=\"mw-cask-k\"\u003eMash bill\u003c\/div\u003e\n        \u003ch3\u003e75% corn, 15% rye, 10% malted barley\u003c\/h3\u003e\n        \u003cp\u003eStated by Brown-Forman for the Small Batch Collection, and a departure from the 79% corn, 11% rye, 10% malted barley recipe used for the single-barrel King of Kentucky releases.\u003c\/p\u003e\n      \u003c\/div\u003e\n      \u003cdiv class=\"mw-cask\"\u003e\n        \u003cdiv class=\"mw-cask-k\"\u003eYeast\u003c\/div\u003e\n        \u003ch3\u003eOne proprietary strain, shared across\u003c\/h3\u003e\n        \u003cp\u003eAll three batches\u003c\/p\u003e\n      \u003c\/div\u003e\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n  \u003cdiv class=\"mw-dark-band\"\u003e\n    \u003cdiv class=\"mw-wrap\"\u003e\n      \u003cdiv class=\"mw-chap\"\u003e\n        \u003cspan class=\"mw-chap-no\"\u003eNº 04\u003c\/span\u003e\n        \u003ch2 class=\"mw-h3\"\u003eSensory Profile \u0026amp; Strategy\u003c\/h2\u003e\n        \u003cspan class=\"mw-chap-r\"\u003eDistiller notes \u0026amp; position\u003c\/span\u003e\n      \u003c\/div\u003e\n      \u003cdiv class=\"mw-acts speakable\"\u003e\n        \u003cdiv class=\"mw-act\"\u003e\n          \u003cdiv class=\"mw-act-n\"\u003eI\u003c\/div\u003e\n          \u003ch3\u003eSensory Profile\u003c\/h3\u003e\n          \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNose:\u003c\/strong\u003e Rich chocolate and brown sugar, brightened by citrus and pine.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePalate:\u003c\/strong\u003e Bold oak and spice, fruitier than the lower two despite the added weight.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFinish:\u003c\/strong\u003e The longest of the three, and the most oak-driven.\u003c\/p\u003e\n        \u003c\/div\u003e\n        \u003cdiv class=\"mw-act\"\u003e\n          \u003cdiv class=\"mw-act-n\"\u003eII\u003c\/div\u003e\n          \u003ch3\u003eStrategic Position\u003c\/h3\u003e\n          \u003cp\u003eAt the top of a graduated series the question is always whether the extra proof buys anything beyond heat. Here it buys oak and spice without flattening the fruit — Brown-Forman’s notes put citrus and pine on this batch that the 105 does not carry, which is not what a simple dilution ladder would predict. That makes Batch 3 the most interesting single bottle of the three to own on its own terms. It shelves with \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/whiskey\" class=\"mw-accent\"\u003ethe barrel-archive bourbons at Midnight Whiskey\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n        \u003c\/div\u003e\n      \u003c\/div\u003e\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n  \u003cdiv class=\"mw-wrap mw-section\"\u003e\n    \u003cdiv class=\"mw-chap\"\u003e\n      \u003cspan class=\"mw-chap-no\"\u003eNº 05\u003c\/span\u003e\n      \u003ch2 class=\"mw-h3\"\u003eCollector Note \u0026amp; Index\u003c\/h2\u003e\n      \u003cspan class=\"mw-chap-r\"\u003eVault provenance\u003c\/span\u003e\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n    \u003cdiv class=\"mw-prov\"\u003e\n      \u003cdiv\u003e\n        \u003cdiv class=\"mw-feat\"\u003e\n          \u003cdiv class=\"mw-feat-head\"\u003e\n            \u003cspan class=\"mw-feat-ico\"\u003e→\u003c\/span\u003e\u003ch3\u003eCollector Note\u003c\/h3\u003e\n          \u003c\/div\u003e\n          \u003cp\u003eTop-of-range bottlings move first, and in a series defined by proof the 110 is what a single-bottle buyer reaches for. That has a consequence worth stating plainly: Batch 3 is the one most likely to be bought for its number rather than for its place in the collection, which is exactly why it thins out before the other two and why assembled sets tend to be missing this end rather than the middle. There is also a mismatch to be aware of when comparing prices — King of Kentucky built its name on barrel-strength single barrels that run well past 125 proof, and buyers who know the brand by that number sometimes read 110 as a step down rather than as a different product. It is a different product. \u003ca href=\"\/products\/king-of-kentucky-small-batch-2026-batch-2\" class=\"mw-accent\"\u003eThe 107.5-proof batch below it\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"\/products\/king-of-kentucky-small-batch-2026-batch-1\" class=\"mw-accent\"\u003ethe entry-level Batch 1\u003c\/a\u003e finish the vertical.\u003c\/p\u003e\n        \u003c\/div\u003e\n        \u003cdiv class=\"mw-feat\"\u003e\n          \u003cdiv class=\"mw-feat-head\"\u003e\n            \u003cspan class=\"mw-feat-ico\"\u003e→\u003c\/span\u003e\u003ch3\u003eHow to Taste It\u003c\/h3\u003e\n          \u003c\/div\u003e\n          \u003cp\u003eLast in the order. By the time you reach 110 the oak is leading, so give this one longer in the glass than you gave the other two — the citrus and pine Brown-Forman describes sit behind the wood and need a few minutes to come forward. Water does more visible work here than anywhere else in the collection, which makes this the batch to experiment on once the neat comparison across all three is finished.\u003c\/p\u003e\n        \u003c\/div\u003e\n      \u003c\/div\u003e\n      \u003cdiv\u003e\n        \u003cdiv class=\"mw-index\"\u003e\n          \u003cdiv class=\"mw-index-head\"\u003e\n            \u003cspan class=\"mw-il\"\u003eCollector Index\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"mw-ir\"\u003eMW VAULT\u003c\/span\u003e\n          \u003c\/div\u003e\n          \u003cdl class=\"mw-index-grid\"\u003e\n            \u003cdt\u003eDistillery\u003c\/dt\u003e\n            \u003cdd\u003eBrown-Forman Distillery, Shively, Kentucky\u003c\/dd\u003e\n            \u003cdt\u003eClass\u003c\/dt\u003e\n            \u003cdd\u003eKentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey\u003c\/dd\u003e\n            \u003cdt\u003eRelease\u003c\/dt\u003e\n            \u003cdd\u003eKing of Kentucky Small Batch, Batch 3 of 3, 2026\u003c\/dd\u003e\n            \u003cdt\u003eProof\u003c\/dt\u003e\n            \u003cdd\u003e110\u003c\/dd\u003e\n            \u003cdt\u003eABV\u003c\/dt\u003e\n            \u003cdd\u003e55%\u003c\/dd\u003e\n            \u003cdt\u003eAge statement\u003c\/dt\u003e\n            \u003cdd\u003e12 years on the label\u003c\/dd\u003e\n            \u003cdt\u003eFormat\u003c\/dt\u003e\n            \u003cdd\u003e700 mL\u003c\/dd\u003e\n          \u003c\/dl\u003e\n        \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n      \u003c\/div\u003e\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n  \u003cdiv class=\"mw-dark-band\"\u003e\n    \u003cdiv class=\"mw-wrap\"\u003e\n      \u003cdiv class=\"mw-chap\"\u003e\n        \u003cspan class=\"mw-chap-no\"\u003eNº 06\u003c\/span\u003e\n        \u003ch2 class=\"mw-h3\"\u003eTechnical Specifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n      \u003c\/div\u003e\n      \u003cdiv class=\"mw-table-box\"\u003e\n        \u003ctable class=\"mw-table\"\u003e\n          \u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eSpecification\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDetail\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\u003c\/thead\u003e\n          \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\u003eRelease\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eKing of Kentucky Small Batch, Batch 3 of 3, 2026\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\u003e75% corn, 15% rye, 10% malted barley — stated by Brown-Forman for the Small Batch Collection, and a departure from the 79% corn, 11% rye, 10% malted barley recipe used for the single-barrel King of Kentucky releases.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n          \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYeast\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOne proprietary strain, shared across all three batches\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n          \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBatch construction\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eApproximately 100 barrels blended to a single profile, then divided into three and bottled at different proofs\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n          \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eProofing\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBrought to bottling strength with Kentucky limestone water — not bottled at barrel strength\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\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\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n      \u003c\/div\u003e\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n  \u003cdiv class=\"mw-wrap mw-section\"\u003e\n    \u003cdiv class=\"mw-chap\"\u003e\n      \u003cspan class=\"mw-chap-no\"\u003eNº 07\u003c\/span\u003e\n      \u003ch2 class=\"mw-h3\"\u003eRecords \u0026amp; Assurance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n    \u003c\/div\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 Midnight Whiskey 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=\"\/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\u003eKing of Kentucky Small Batch Batch 3 is bottled at 110 proof, or 55% ABV. It is the highest of the three strengths in Brown-Forman's 2026 Small Batch collection, above Batch 1 at 105 proof and Batch 2 at 107.5, and Brown-Forman gives it the longest and most oak-forward finish of the three.\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\u003eFor an occasion and for a practical reason. Brown-Forman issued the collection on 4 February 2026 to mark the 250th anniversary of the United States and the founding of Kentucky County, Virginia, which became the state of Kentucky — Chris Morris called it the brand's birthday present to America. The practical reason was yield: barrels set aside for the annual King of Kentucky single-barrel release had lost so much to evaporation that some held only 16 percent of the whiskey originally entered, too little to bottle individually. Blending roughly 100 of them let Brown-Forman put whiskey of that age into 36 markets rather than a few dozen bottles.\u003c\/p\u003e\n      \u003ch3 class=\"mw-q\"\u003eIs King of Kentucky Small Batch bottled at barrel strength?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n      \u003cp\u003eNo. King of Kentucky Small Batch is proofed down with Kentucky limestone water to 105, 107.5 and 110 proof across its three batches. That is the main departure from the King of Kentucky Single Barrel, which Brown-Forman has bottled at full barrel strength since reviving the brand in 2018 and continues to release each fall. The two expressions also use different mash bills: 75% corn, 15% rye and 10% malted barley for the Small Batch, against 79% corn, 11% rye and 10% malted barley for the Single Barrel.\u003c\/p\u003e\n      \u003c\/div\u003e\n    \u003c\/details\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n  \u003cdiv class=\"mw-wrap mw-signoff\"\u003e\n    \u003cdiv class=\"mw-rule\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n    \u003cdiv class=\"mw-signoff-row\"\u003e\n      \u003cspan class=\"mw-tag mw-tag-a\"\u003eMidnight Whiskey · The Vault\u003c\/span\u003e\n      \u003cspan class=\"mw-tag mw-tag-m\"\u003eSmall Batch 2026 Batch 3\u003c\/span\u003e\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003c\/div\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:\/\/www.midnightwhiskey.com\/products\/king-of-kentucky-small-batch-2026-batch-3","provider":"Midnight Whiskey","version":"1.0","type":"link"}