Búho de Kentucky

Kentucky Owl is a revived American whiskey brand with roots in the late 19th century, celebrated today for its small-batch, high-proof bourbons and ryes crafted for serious whiskey enthusiasts. Known as “The Wise Man’s Bourbon,” Kentucky Owl combines heritage with modern blending artistry, producing richly flavoured, complex whiskeys in limited quantities.

Origins in the 1800s

The brand was originally founded in 1879 by Charles Mortimer Dedman in Bardstown, Kentucky, now recognised as the bourbon capital of the world. Dedman produced and aged his bourbon in large warehouses, building a strong reputation for quality.

However, Kentucky Owl’s early history came to an abrupt end with Prohibition in 1916 (Kentucky enacted it before the federal ban). The government seized the company’s stock, reportedly 250,000 gallons, for “medicinal purposes,” but legend has it much of the whiskey mysteriously disappeared, never to be recovered.

The Revival

For nearly a century, the brand lay dormant until 2014, when Dixon Dedman, the great-great-grandson of the founder, revived Kentucky Owl. Rather than distilling on-site, Dixon focused on sourcing exceptional barrels from Kentucky and blending them into distinctive, high-proof small batches. This approach quickly won acclaim among bourbon collectors and connoisseurs for its intensity, layered complexity, and rarity.

In 2017, Kentucky Owl was acquired by the Stoli Group, giving it the resources to expand while retaining its boutique ethos. Plans were announced for a new distillery and visitor centre in Bardstown, further cementing its place in Kentucky’s whiskey landscape

Our Selection

Our Kentucky Owl range features both bourbon and rye releases, from the more accessible Wiseman Bourbon to rare, cask-strength small batches that are highly sought after by collectors. Whether you’re looking for a bold, high-proof dram to sip neat, a standout bottle for your whiskey cabinet, or a gift for a serious bourbon lover, Kentucky Owl offers the depth, history, and craftsmanship worthy of its “Wise Man” moniker.