Drink the Bottles

  We have long been fans of what Rick and Ricky Johnson are doing over at 15 Stars Bourbon.  They have always focused on rich, exciting flavors and their blending is second to none.  There has never been a release that we have tasted where we weren't instant fans.  So, when we found out that they were releasing a new label - First West - that included some of their own distillate in the blend, we jumped at the opportunity to give this some attention. This is the  First West Toasted Oak Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey , a blend of 5, 6, and 7 year old bourbons, which is really impressive for a first-release label.  The Johnsons have included some of their bourbon that they personally crafted from their proprietary red, white and blue corns, making this, at least for us, a much-anticipated and welcome new phase of their business. We were immediately impressed by the packaging of this bourbon.  The initial releases in the First West series also include ...

  Sourcing and blending whiskey is nothing new.  The practice has been going on for hundreds of years since the first whiskey was produced.  But in order to be successful at blending whiskey, you need to have an understanding of the whiskey itself, the mash bills, the age statements, how to marry the various barrels and an impeccable taste for quality.  Owners of 15 Stars, Rick and Ricky Johnson, are a father and son duo that formed the company in 2019 but didn't release their first product until the spring of 2022.  These entrepreneurs and whiskey pros have been steadily growing their brand since then, paying attention to every detail (including the 15 stars bottle closure, offering a nod to Kentucky becoming the 15th state) and sourcing only what they feel are the finest bourbon barrels available from Kentucky, Indiana and Tennessee. If you consider yourself a "bourbon purist", you might be rolling your eyes about now.  And you would be extremely remiss....