Kentucky Nectar Spring Bourbon 2026

Few brands are making bigger splashes in whiskey circles right now than Old Commonwealth. From their 10-year Old Commonwealth and 15-year D.H. Cromwell to the 16-year Colonel Randolph and the widely popular Kentucky Nectar Bourbon. I recently ran a poll about honey finished bourbons, and Kentucky Nectar was one of the names that came up again and again. Today we are back with their Spring 2026 Bourbon. 
 
Originally built in 1889 in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, the Old Commonwealth Distillery has been home to Hoffman Distillery, Ezra Brooks, and Commonwealth Distilling over the past 135 years. In 2019, it was purchased by Zachary Joseph and Andrew English, a nephew and uncle who bonded over the distillery’s history and its venerable products. Along with family friend and partner Troy LeBlanc, the trio are reviving iconic labels once produced there and preserving the facility’s heritage through immersive tour experiences.
 
Originally released in 1967, Old Commonwealth Distillery has revived the Kentucky Nectar brand as a double barreled wheated Kentucky straight bourbon finished in honey casks, offered at cask strength. Bottled at 105 proof, this release continues to build a strong reputation for balance and drinkability. 
 
 On the nose there’s ample charred oak, honey, crème brûlée, nutmeg, peaches steeped in brown butter. The charred oak, more prominent when first poured, softens over time, allowing the honey and sweet wheat notes to push forward.
 
On the palate it’s char first, then a pop of sweet honey, baking spices, then cinnamon crumb cake drizzled with honey.
 
And for the finish, sweet cream vanilla arrives first, before a fast dry down. The lingering note is definitively honey graham crackers.