15 STARS Unveils First West, a New Line Extension Showcasing Three Distinctive Bourbon Expressions

Rooted in the Spirit of the American Frontier, First West Features Three Unique Pours—Each Offering Its Own Flavor Journey

BARDSTOWN, Ky. (July 22, 2025) – 15 STARS award-winning, fine-aged bourbon proudly announces First West, a new line extension for the brand featuring three distinctive bourbon expressions: Small Batch, Toasted Oak, and Extra Aged 8-Year-Old Bourbon Whiskey. 15 STARS First West honors Kentucky as the birthplace of bourbon, blending heritage, and craftsmanship with innovation. From bottle designs inspired by the first bottles crafted in Kentucky and used for whiskey, to Flavor Proofed™ liquid crafted for optimal taste, the new line welcomes consumers to embark on a journey of discovery, alongside both the early pioneers of Kentucky and today’s bourbon innovators.

The Small Batch and Toasted Oak releases use an aged blend of 5, 6 and 7-year-old Kentucky bourbons, including proprietary red, white, and blue heritage corn in the blend to elevate flavor. This marks the first time 15 STARS is using its own distillate in a blend, presenting richness and character to the expressions. The Extra Aged 8-year-old release is extra aged for added complexity with a blend of Kentucky bourbons at 8 & 9 years. These expressions can be enjoyed neat or in a cocktail. Beginning today, 15 STARS First West is available at select retailers nationwide and online at 15STARS.com. 

"Our goal with 15 STARS First West was to create the same high-quality, award-winning whiskey at an approachable cost to our consumers,” said Ricky Johnson, co-founder of 15 STARS. "In place of double digit age statements seen with 15 STARS, we are able to bring extra flavors into the First West lineup with our heritage grains and continue to use our process of Flavor Proofing™ to create never before crafted blends.”

First West Small Batch - Aged 5, 6, and 7 years ($59.99 MSRP / 102 Proof)

• Nose: Subtle sweet notes of banana bread, caramelized apple, sugar cream pie, dried cherry, and honey are balanced by nutmeg, cigar box, and seasoned oak.
• Palate: Fruit flavors of pear, golden raisin, apple, and vanilla rest on top of notes of damp forest and tobacco.
• Finish: A burst of honey-sweetened fruit salad quickly fades into a long finish of oak and tobacco.

First West Toasted Oak - Aged 5, 6, and 7 years ($69.99 MSRP / 98 Proof)

• Nose: Beginning with aged notes of seasoned oak, nutmeg, licorice, and ground pepper the nose opens up to include caramel, peach, plum, banana, and salt water taffy.
• Palate: Sweet flavors of cherry, orange, banana, toffee, and vanilla are surrounded by ever-present oak.
• Finish: Apricot and cherry carry over the sweetness from the palate, eventually giving way to rich caramel, toasted oak, tobacco.

First West Extra Aged - Aged 8 and 9 years ($79.99 MSRP / 100 Proof)

• Nose: Orange peel citrus along with cherry and caramel create a sweet aroma that is contrasted by cinnamon, seasoned oak, leather, and a hint of malted grain.
• Palate: Cherry and seasoned oak appear first followed by orange marmalade and fresh fruit juice to create a viscous and smooth palate.
• Finish: The finish begins with rich flavors of plum and cherry with a hint of citrus which give way to enduring oak and caramelized sugar.

“We want to capture the spirit of early Kentucky with its epic story of adventure and discovery, in our bourbon,” says Johnson. “Bourbon collectors and connoisseurs are invited to explore new territories in bourbon, expand their palate with flavor proofing, explore heirloom corns, and celebrate the home of bourbon!” 

For more information, visit 15STARS.com or follow on social at @15STARSbourbon. 

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About 15 STARS

15 STARS Fine Aged Bourbon crafts award-winning whiskey from their exclusive high-aged whiskey stocks through expertise in blending. Founded by father and son artisan blenders, Rick and Ricky Johnson, the brand has received nearly 200 of the world’s most coveted whiskey awards since its debut in 2022, included in these awards are many “best in class” recognitions. Always in pursuit of excellence in flavor, 15 STARS distills over a dozen different whiskey mash bills in Bardstown, KY, some of which include proprietary heirloom corn varieties (black, red, white, and blue) that the family grows for its gourmet specialty popcorn business, Black Jewell Popcorn. The 15 STARS portfolio of limited-release fine-aged bourbon is now available in over 20 states, as well as online at 15STARS.com. The name 15 STARS pays homage to Kentucky as the 15th state with Kentucky’s recognition on the second US flag with 15 stars and 15 stripes and was authorized by President George Washington in 1795. The 15 STARS First West lineup extends the brand into a more approachable price category with excellence of flavor still the driver of every release. First West continues the tradition of honoring Kentucky as the first state west of the Appalachians and the original western frontier of the United States. For more information visit 15STARS.com or follow on social @15STARSbourbon.