Kentucky OwlShould the words ‘Scotch’ and ‘bourbon’ be uttered in the same sentence, it’s typically from the perspective of competition rather than collaboration. Both America and Scotland play a crucial role in the craft of whisk(e)y making; the latter being the birthplace of whiskey and the former being the birthplace of bourbon whiskey.
Proving one can indeed have the best of both worlds when it comes to whisk(e)y, the Kentucky Owl Maighstir Edition pays homage to the age-old crafts of both nations with a unique Scotch-meets-bourbon expression.
The brainchild of revered master blender Maureen Robinson (a true maighstir, meaning ‘master’ in Gaelic), Kentucky Owl Maighstir Edition blends four-year-old, five-year-old, eight-year-old, and nine-year-old Kentucky straight bourbons—each featuring mash bills containing corn, wheat, and malted barley—to create a peerless liquid that melds the distinct aromas and flavours of both Scotch and bourbon.
On the nose, Kentucky Owl Maighstir Edition boasts aromas of wheat and malted barley, which offset the sweetness of vanilla and caramel, the latter typical of the brand’s bourbon heritage. The palate adroitly combines whisk(e)y flavours that are familiar yet rarely meet — spice and warmth from the rye meet the smooth layered sweetness of wheat, with barley adding a nutty, cereal character. As it evolves, zesty orange and grapefruit linger on the tongue for a long velvety finish.
With a career in Scotch whisky spanning over four decades, Maureen Robinson enjoyed a long tenure at Diageo before taking the reins at Kentucky Owl from master blender John Rhea late last year. Working across the likes of Johnnie Walker and Singleton, Robinson was one of the first women in the industry to earn the title of master blender. Despite her virtuosity in the realm of Scotch, this marks Robinson’s first foray into American whiskey.
“I was inspired by Kentucky Owl’s forward-thinking mindset; wanting to capitalise on current consumer interest in craft spirits,” said Robinson of the collaborative spirit. “The Maighstir Project was a bit of an experiment. One that was incredibly enjoyable to be immersed in, and I think the final product really speaks to our combined creativity and love of dark spirits.”
This isn’t the first time Kentucky Owl has stepped outside country bounds when it comes to whiskey production, having previously worked with Japanese master blender Yusuke Yahisa of Nagahama Whisky on Kentucky Owl Takumi and Irish bonded whiskey blender Louise McGuane of J.J. Corry on a St. Patrick’s Day limited-edition bourbon.
The Kentucky Owl Maighstir Edition is priced at $249.90AUD and is available via BoozeBud.
Words by Henry Blake
