15 STARS Unveils Kentucke County — A New Line Showcasing Two Expressions Celebrating 250 Years of American Spirit

Rooted in American History, Kentucke County™ by 15 STARS Offers Well-Crafted Pours and Commemorative Bottles

BARDSTOWN, Ky. (April 30, 2026) – Today, award-winning 15 STARS Fine-Aged Bourbon debuted a limited-edition line honoring America’s 250th anniversary and the birthplace of bourbon: Kentucke County™ by 15 STARS. The new brand features two expressions, Kentucke County™ 12 Year-Old American Whiskey and Kentucke County™ 6 Year-Old Straight Bourbon Whiskey, both in commemorative, collectible bottles.

In 1776, the same year the American colonies declared their independence, Kentucke County was established as Virginia’s western frontier county. The region would later evolve into the Kentucke District, within which Bourbon County was created and bourbon whiskey was named. Kentucke County™ by 15 STARS revives the first naming of Kentucky that started it all.

“Bourbon, America and Kentucky all began together,” said Ricky Johnson, co-founder of 15 STARS. “We carry the spirit and craftsmanship of early Kentucky in our bones and express it in every bottle, delivering the aged flavor of whiskeys often priced twice as high.”

Kentucke County™ 12 Year-Old American Whiskey ($57.99 MSRP / 90 Proof)

A blend of straight bourbon and American whiskey, distilled from a bourbon mash bill and aged 7 years in second-use oak before an additional 5 years in new charred oak.

• Nose: bold notes of oak, palm, vanilla extract, dark chocolate, and nutmeg are mellowed by pear, sweet cherry, herbal tea, and honey

• Palate: pear, cherry, and apple are complemented by oak, cinnamon, pepper, and caramel

• Finish: fruit sweetness lingers from the palate but fades into an incredibly long caramel, wood, and tobacco finish

Kentucke County™ Straight Bourbon Whiskey - Aged 6 Years ($37.99 MSRP / 90 Proof)

A blend of two Kentucky straight bourbon whiskeys, each with a minimum age of 6 years.

• Nose: floral notes of honeysuckle mixed with banana, candied fruit, caramel, damp forest, and seasoned oak.

• Palate: sweet flavors continue with vanilla, apricot, and golden raisin, complemented by cinnamon, old wood, and leather.

• Finish: honey and caramel give way to rich notes of maple syrup and tobacco.

The two expressions offer all bourbon drinkers the chance to enjoy a premium age-stated pour at a remarkably approachable price. For whiskey enthusiasts and collectors, the commemorative bottles offer a meaningful addition to the shelf, paying tribute to the birthplace of bourbon while celebrating the 250th anniversary of America.

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

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About 15 STARS Portfolio

15 STARS patiently and meticulously crafts award-winning bourbon and whiskey using proprietary methods of blending, flavor proofing, processing, and finishing to produce whiskeys of exceptional complexity and depth. 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 an unprecedented 33 best-in-class or finalist wins. In support of the brand's rich palate of whiskey flavors for blending, 15 STARS distills over a dozen different mash bills in Bardstown, KY, and uses many proprietary heirloom corn varieties (black, red, white, and blue) that the family grows for its specialty popcorn business, Black Jewell Popcorn. The 15 STARS portfolio of historic brands includes 15 STARS, First West, and Kentucke County™. Each expression celebrates the shared origins of early Kentucky, America, and bourbon, brought to life through the craftsmanship and character shaped on the American western frontier. To keep that story alive, 15 STARS maintains a museum of American frontier artifacts that inspire its founders to craft bourbons capturing the character and spirit of the frontier in every expression. For more information, visit 15STARS.com or follow on social @15STARSbourbon.