The Artisan’s Touch: Kings County Bourbon Blender’s Reserve 6 Year Old Bourbon Whiskey

At Rare Finds Liquor Store, we have a deep appreciation for the craft distilling movement, where small-scale production and unwavering attention to detail create truly remarkable spirits. In the world of American whiskey, one New York producer has consistently punched far above its weight, earning a reputation for quality that rivals the giants of Kentucky. We are proud to feature a bottle that exemplifies their dedication: the Kings County Blender’s Reserve 6 Year Old Bourbon Whiskey. This is a sophisticated and deliberate expression of Kings County Bourbon, a testament to the art of the blend and a must-try for the enthusiast seeking depth and complexity from the craft scene.
It’s crucial to understand from the outset: this is not a standard blended whiskey. In the common bourbon vs whiskey discussion, a “blended whiskey” often refers to a mix of neutral spirits and straight whiskey. The Kings County Blender’s Reserve is something entirely different and far more elite. It is a masterful blend of multiple straight bourbons, each at least six years old, curated to achieve a flavor profile greater than the sum of its parts. This is a bourbon whiskey for purists who appreciate nuance.
Brooklyn’s Bourbon Pioneers: The Kings County Story
Kings County Distillery is a foundational pillar of the modern craft spirits renaissance. Housed in the historic Brooklyn Navy Yard, they are New York City’s oldest operating whiskey distillery. Their approach is grounded in tradition but driven by a relentless pursuit of quality. They focus on grain-to-glass production, using organic New York corn and traditional copper pot stills.
The Blender’s Reserve represents the pinnacle of their craft. Unlike large bourbon whiskey brands that prioritize consistency above all, Kings County uses this series to showcase the blender’s artistry. By selecting and marrying specific barrels, they can highlight unique characteristics—perhaps a barrel with more spice, another with profound sweetness, and another with a rich oak backbone—to create a harmonious and complex final product. This small-batch, hands-on approach is what makes this bourbon for sale so special.
Demystifying the “Blender’s Reserve”: A Mark of Quality
The term “Blender’s Reserve” on this bottle is a mark of prestige, not a dilution. To appreciate it, let’s clarify the categories within the American whiskey landscape:
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Straight Bourbon: A whiskey from a single distillery, aged in new charred oak, with no added coloring or flavoring.
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Blended Whiskey (Common Usage): A mix containing a percentage of straight whiskey and neutral grain spirits (like vodka). This is often a more affordable, lighter category.
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A Blended Straight Bourbon (What Kings County Is): This is a blend of multiple straight bourbons from different barrels, and sometimes different distilleries, with no neutral spirits added. It is 100% straight bourbon whiskey, just a blend of them.
The Kings County Blender’s Reserve falls into this elite third category. The “blender” is the artist, and the “reserve” indicates a special, limited selection. This makes it a fascinating bourbon to study, as it showcases the skill required to build a perfect flavor profile from component parts.
Tasting Profile & Sensory Journey
Tasting the Kings County Blender’s Reserve is an exercise in appreciating balance and maturity. The six-year age statement is significant in the craft world, indicating a whiskey that has been given ample time to develop a mature character.
The Appearance:
The whiskey presents a warm, burnished gold color, hinting at its respectable age and interaction with the oak barrel.
The Nose: A Complex and Inviting Bouquet
The aroma is immediately engaging and layered. Classic notes of vanilla and caramel from the oak form a sweet foundation. This is complemented by the distinct grain-forward character Kings County is known for—a note of sweet corn and toasted cereal. Deeper layers reveal themselves as dried apricot, a hint of orange zest, and a soft, baking spice blend of cinnamon and nutmeg. There’s a notable absence of harsh ethanol, speaking to its quality and maturity.
The Palate: Rich, Balanced, and Thoughtful
On the palate, the whiskey is surprisingly robust and full-bodied for its proof. The entry is sweet and creamy, with flavors of honey, toffee, and roasted pecans. The mid-palate introduces a pleasant spice kick—white pepper and a touch of rye-like character—that perfectly balances the sweetness. The blend showcases its complexity here, as flavors of dark chocolate, leather, and oak emerge without becoming bitter or astringent. The mouthfeel is smooth yet substantive, a testament to the quality of the barrels selected for this batch.
The Finish: A Long and Satisfying Conclusion
The finish is medium to long, warm, and dry. The sweet notes slowly fade, leaving behind a pleasant, oaky spice and a lingering hint of dark caramel. It’s a clean, sophisticated finish that invites another sip to further unpack its layered profile.
Why Kings County Blender’s Reserve Belongs in Your Collection
In a market flooded with bourbon whiskey brands, this bottle stands out for several compelling reasons:
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A Benchmark for Craft: It proves that exceptional, age-stated bourbon can come from outside Kentucky. It is a flag-bearer for the quality achievable in the craft distilling movement.
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The Art of the Blend: For the enthusiast interested in the nuances of whiskey production, this bottle is a masterclass in how blending can be used to achieve a specific, refined flavor profile.
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Distinctive Character: It offers a unique, grain-forward profile that distinguishes it from many mainstream, mass-produced bourbons.
Technical Details & Production
Age / Proof / Bottling
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Age: 6 years minimum maturation (hence “6 Year Old”)
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Bottled at cask strength: 140 proof (70% ABV)
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Limited edition: only 300 bottles were produced in this run.
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Style: Classified as a straight bourbon whiskey (meets the legal criteria of bourbon and aged in new charred oak, no additives)
Mash Bill & Character
While the exact mash bill is not always fully disclosed, reviewers have cited that this release leans toward a high corn content, with some wheat or malted barley components. By Breaking Bourbon, the noted mash is 75% corn, 20% wheat, 5% malted barley for this batch.
Blending & Selection
The Blender’s Reserve 6 Year is a curated blend drawn from older barrels in the Kings County inventory, particularly aged in smaller 15‑gallon casks, which intensify wood influence and accelerate maturation. The use of small casks and extended wood contact helps produce a darker, more dessert‑forward profile.
The Value of an Age-Stated Craft Bourbon
In an era where age statements are becoming increasingly rare, a six-year age statement from a respected craft producer like Kings County carries significant weight. The Kings County Bourbon Blender’s Reserve offers tremendous value for a whiskey of its age, provenance, and artisanal quality. For those looking to buy bourbon online that represents the best of the craft movement, this bottle is an intelligent and rewarding choice. It is a bourbon for sale that delivers a sophisticated drinking experience worthy of any serious spirits shelf.
Bourbon vs Whiskey: Where This Fits
In your store content and for customers, it’s helpful to clarify how this whiskey fits into the broader whiskey / bourbon taxonomy:
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Whiskey (or whisky) is the broader category of distilled grain spirits (Scotch, Irish, rye, bourbon, etc.).
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Bourbon is an American whiskey that must meet legal standards: at least 51% corn in mash, aged in new charred oak, distilled under certain limits, bottled at minimum proof, and no flavoring or coloring added.
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A straight bourbon is one aged at least two years and without additives.
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Kings County 6 Year Blender’s Reserve is clearly a straight bourbon whiskey, and a bold, small‑batch example within the American bourbon tradition—even though it is produced in New York rather than Kentucky.
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In marketing terms, you can also refer to it as American whiskey / craft American whiskey, while still emphasizing its core identity as bourbon.
Emphasizing bourbon whiskey, straight bourbon, bourbon whiskey brands, and the distinctions of bourbon vs whiskey helps both search engines and enthusiasts understand precisely what you’re offering.
Collectibility, Rarity & Value Proposition
This release is rare by design:
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Only 300 bottles were produced, making it a truly limited edition.
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Its high proof, dessert-forward profile, and use of small casks make it appealing to collectors who seek bold, expressive bourbons with character.
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It is sometimes priced and traded at a premium in secondary markets, partly due to its scarcity and the reputation of Kings County as a rising craft whiskey name.
For Rare Finds Liquor Store, this bottle provides a compelling “hero” product—something you can build marketing, storytelling, and exclusivity around.
Your Curated Source for Exceptional American Whiskey
Finding a dedicated craft product like Kings County can be a challenge. A general search for “bourbon for sale near me” may not lead you to this Brooklyn gem.
This is the very purpose of Rare Finds Liquor Store. We act as your curator, seeking out the most compelling and high-quality spirits from established giants and pioneering craft producers alike. When you choose to buy bourbon whiskey online from us, you gain access to a carefully selected portfolio of bottles you won’t find everywhere.
We are committed to being the best place to buy bourbon online for enthusiasts who value story, craftsmanship, and authentic flavor.
If you are ready to explore the heights of craft bourbon and taste a whiskey where the blender’s art takes center stage, your journey leads here. The Kings County Blender’s Reserve 6 Year Old Bourbon Whiskey is a rare find from the heart of Brooklyn, a sophisticated dram that proudly showcases what modern American whiskey can achieve.




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