15 STARS Releases its Latest Award-Winning Bourbon: Artisan Collection

BARDSTOWN, Ky. (September 4, 2025) – Bourbon brand, 15 STARS, proudly announces the launch of its newest award-winning expression Artisan Collection. With a limited production of 1,290 bottles, this whiskey release offers a refined blend of straight bourbon whiskeys aged 15 and 12 years, meticulously sourced from Kentucky and Indiana. Beginning today, with a special release in time for the Kentucky Bourbon Festival, the new Artisan Collection is available at select retailers nationwide and online at 15STARS.com. 

The 15 STARS Artisan Collection was recently awarded Best Bourbon at the Spring 2025 John Barleycorn Awards highlighting the best of bourbon artistry with its skilled craftsmanship, rich blending and Flavor Proofing™, making it a must-have addition for collectors and connoisseurs.

"What makes Artisan Collection special is that the bourbon’s mashbill contains a high corn content, which gives the liquid a dessert sweetness," said Ricky Johnson, co-founder of 15 STARS.  “The sweetness helps to seamlessly balance the oak notes that come with the high age statement."

Bottled at 109 proof, 15 STARS Artisan Collection presents maple, caramel, and a fruit medley on the nose. A smoky combination of nutmeg, pepper, tobacco, oak, and earthy hay field balances the bouquet.

Artisan Collection - Aged 15 and 12 years ($179 MSRP / 109 Proof)

• Nose: Sweet, forward notes of maple and caramel are accompanied by a dried fruit medley of orange citrus, black cherry, plum, and apple. Nutmeg, cracked pepper, tobacco, fresh oak, and hay field balance the sweetness.
• Palate: Caramel and vanilla give way to bold notes of aged oak and old leather, followed by dark fruit notes of prune, raisin, and plum.
• Finish: Plum and caramel introduce a long finish of dark chocolate, roasted nuts, oak, and leather.

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 and unique high-aged whiskey stocks. Founded by father and son master blenders, Rick and Ricky Johnson, the brand has received over 200 of the world’s most coveted whiskey awards including numerous “best in class” recognitions. Always in pursuit of complexity and depth of flavor, 15 STARS distills over a dozen different mash bills in Bardstown, KY, some of which include proprietary heirloom corn varieties (black, red, white, and blue) that the family grows for its specialty popcorn business, Black Jewell Popcorn. The brand name 15 STARS pays homage to Kentucky as the 15th state from Kentucky’s recognition on the second US flag with 15 stars and 15 stripes which was authorized by the US Congress and 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.15 STARS First West lineup continues the tradition of honoring Kentucky as the first state west of the Appalachians, where both the American “West” and bourbon were born. The 15 STARS portfolio fine-aged bourbon is now available in over 20 states, as well as online at 15STARS.com. For more information visit 15STARS.com or follow on social @15STARSbourbon.