K. Luke is back for their second release of 2025, including the return of Toasted Rye. Now I know... I said the same thing for their Batch 11 Bourbon and Toasted Bourbon Batch 4, but somehow the Maisano's have found a way to make the bourbon even more enjoyable, and likely their most nuanced toasted rye batch to date. Not only that, but K. Luke has moved their toasted rye to an annual release, so once this is gone this year, it's gone.
Batch 12 Bourbon is created by sourcing from several different distilleries in Kentucky and Indiana with different mash bills up to 36% rye and a variety of ages. This allows the focus to be on building multilayered and exciting blends instead of the individual components used to create each blend. This batch is enveloping, layered, and exactly what I look for in a bourbon.
We've seen all sorts of directions in the Toasted Rye, most recently with a bit brighter profile in Batch 4 and a bit more barrel char presence in Batch 3. Batch 5 nuances and layers in ways not really seen before, giving a plush and reserved entry to both nose and palate but with a beautiful honied note throughout. Rye fans are sure to enjoy this one, but bourbon drinkers will have a lot to love as well.
K. Luke Batch 12 Bourbon
Wow, this just may be the best nose of a K. Luke bourbon we’ve had so far. Juicy and ripe peaches to buttery peach cobbler and vanilla bean ice cream. Lime ring gummies, grape cotton candy, seductive caramel sauce and worn leather with antique oak. Just a beauty.
The palate has underlying notes of luxardo cherry and torched lemon peel but primarily drives with fresh pecan pralines, dark chocolate, mature oak, and lemon pepper seasoning. It’s sweet, but not too sweet, giving particular highlight to its deep, rounded mouthfeel.
The finish tapers with worn leather and antique oak while holding on to dark chocolate, nougat, expressed citrus oils and mixed spices.
K. Luke Toasted Rye Batch 5
Plush and restrained, this rye leans decadent but it’s all rye at heart, with notes of raisin, date, blackberry, and violet syrup before more classic notes of lemon-lime soda concentrate and vanilla coated baking spices continue on. As the bottle opens, gentle notes of lightly charred oak make themself known.
The palate is divine - much more reserved than we’ve seen in some other toasted batches but no less complex. Rich, mixed fruits lead on the palate before a dense, buttery mid palate of lemon meringue pie and toffee.
The finish lingers beautiful with clover honey and lovely seasoned oak lined with cocoa nib. Lemon bars and soft graham cracker crust too make an appearance in a long, delicately nuanced finish.
