Kentucky Best Bourbon 750ML is a wheated Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey bottled at 40% ABV (80 proof) in a 750ml format. Distilled at Heaven Hill in Bardstown, Kentucky, and bottled by Luxco, this expression stands out for its use of wheat rather than rye as the secondary grain — a mashbill approach that yields a softer, rounder character than most standard bourbons on the shelf.

Quick Facts: ABV: 40%  |  Origin: Bardstown, Kentucky, USA  |  4+ Years Old  |  Distillery: Heaven Hill

Production & Heritage

Heaven Hill Distillery, founded in 1935 in Bardstown, Kentucky, is the largest family-owned and operated distillery in the United States. Kentucky Best is produced using a wheated mashbill — at least 51% corn with wheat and malted barley — and aged for a minimum of four years in new charred American oak barrels. The substitution of wheat for rye in the grain bill places this bourbon in the same stylistic family as storied wheated expressions from the Heaven Hill portfolio, delivering a gentler, less spicy profile than rye-forward bourbons. Luxco handles the bottling and distribution, bringing Heaven Hill's distillate to market under the Kentucky Best label.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with honey and melted butter, followed by darker dried-fruit notes of plum and raisin. A faint biscuity, yeasty quality rounds out the aromatics, giving it a warm, bakery-like presence.

Taste: On the palate, caramel and honey arrive first, followed by a wave of soft fruit and a noticeable grain sweetness at mid-palate. Baking spice emerges gently alongside light oak tannins, though the overall impression leans decidedly toward the sweeter, softer end of the bourbon spectrum. The mouthfeel is medium-bodied and approachable.

Finish: The finish is warm and moderately long, with lingering honey and subtle oak. It fades cleanly without excessive heat, consistent with the 80-proof bottling strength.

How to Drink Kentucky Best

At 40% ABV, Kentucky Best drinks easily neat or on the rocks without needing water to tame any rough edges. Its soft, sweet profile also makes it a reliable cocktail bourbon. A Bourbon Smash highlights the honey and fruit notes against fresh lemon and mint. A classic Whiskey Sour benefits from the wheated sweetness, which balances citrus without requiring heavy simple syrup. In an Old Fashioned, Kentucky Best provides a mellow, caramel-forward backbone that pairs naturally with orange peel and bitters.

Best For

• Introducing bourbon newcomers to the wheated style
• Batch mixing cocktails for a gathering without overextending the budget
• Casual weeknight sipping neat or over ice
• Building a side-by-side tasting comparing wheated versus rye-forward bourbons

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Kentucky Best taste like? Kentucky Best delivers a sweet, approachable profile dominated by honey, caramel, and soft fruit, with subtle grain and biscuity undertones. The wheated mashbill keeps spice minimal, making this a mellow, easy-drinking bourbon.

How does Kentucky Best compare to Larceny Bourbon? Both are wheated bourbons distilled at Heaven Hill in Bardstown, Kentucky, sharing the same fundamental grain philosophy. Larceny is aged longer (six-plus years versus four-plus), carries a slightly higher proof, and generally delivers deeper oak influence and complexity.

Is Kentucky Best good for beginners? Yes — the combination of 80 proof and a wheated, low-spice profile makes Kentucky Best one of the gentler entry points into straight bourbon. It drinks smoothly neat and works well in cocktails without overwhelming unfamiliar palates.

Where is Kentucky Best made? Kentucky Best is distilled at Heaven Hill Distillery in Bardstown, Kentucky, one of the largest bourbon-producing operations in the state. It is bottled by Luxco, a spirits company also headquartered in the region.

What foods pair well with Kentucky Best? Grilled peaches or stone-fruit desserts complement the bourbon's natural fruit and honey notes. Smoked pulled pork works well against its caramel sweetness. Sharp cheddar cheese provides a savory contrast to the soft grain character. Pecan pie mirrors the toasted-oak and brown-sugar tones, and dark chocolate with sea salt highlights the subtle baking-spice finish.

What sizes does Kentucky Best come in? Kentucky Best Bourbon is primarily available in the standard 750ml bottle format.

Is Kentucky Best worth the price? Kentucky Best positions firmly as a budget-tier wheated bourbon, and its value proposition rests on the combination of Heaven Hill distillate, a four-year age statement, and a wheated mashbill at a very accessible price. It delivers solid everyday-drinking quality rather than sipping complexity, and punches above its weight as a cocktail base.

Why Kentucky Best?

The most compelling fact about Kentucky Best is its pedigree: this is Heaven Hill bourbon wearing an unassuming label. Heaven Hill's expertise with wheated mashbills stretches back decades, and even at a budget price point, the distillate carries recognizable markers of that house style — clean honey sweetness, restrained oak, and a round mouthfeel. For drinkers curious about how wheat changes bourbon's flavor profile, this four-year-old expression provides a straightforward, affordable reference point. It will not compete with older, higher-proof wheated bottlings on depth or complexity, but it offers an honest, well-made Kentucky straight bourbon at an entry-level investment.