Blade and Bow Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
- Jun 21, 2025
- 5 min read
PLEASE REMEMBER TO DRINK RESPONSIBLY
Cigar smoking and drinking alcohol are for adults of legal smoking and drinking age.
PLEASE REMEMBER TO DRINK RESPONSIBLY
Cigar smoking and drinking alcohol are for adults of legal smoking and drinking age.
About This Spirit from the Maker
BLADE AND BOW KENTUCKY STRAIGHT BOURBON WHISKEY
Blade and Bow Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey uses the Solera System, a unique aging and blending process to preserve the heritage of Stitzel-Weller Distillery by blending bourbon of various ages. A historic method in other categories, it is an uncommon practice found in the bourbon industry.
The beauty is in the blending. Tiered fractional blending allows for a vast range of ages to come together, creating a complex yet approachable liquid, using the best of both the older and newer distillates. The Solera System allows us the opportunity to incorporate bourbon from the Stitzel-Weller Distillery into every bottle. The aromatic brightness of the young shines through the rich character and structure of the older liquid, highlighting the depth of what is possible using the Solera System. Barrels are never fully drained, ensuring this union of ages is ever present in each bottle of Blade and Bow Kentucky Straight Bourbon.
Blade and Bow Kentucky Straight Bourbon is aged in charred American white oak barrels. Not only does Blade and Bow stand out in taste, but our Kentucky Straight Bourbon can be found in a beautiful hexagonal bottle and on the neck one of the five collectable keys that are adorned by hand.
45.5% Alc/Vol. Stitzel-Weller Distilling Co., Louisville, KY.
TASTING NOTES
"Beginning with a soft nose reminiscent of fresh fruit, Blade and Bow rewards sippers with a delicious hint of dried apricot and ripe pear on entry before melting into a sweet roasted grain taste mid-palate. The finish includes notes of charred oak and warm winter spices."
AWARDS
Double Gold at the 2024 San Francisco Spirits Competition
Gold Medal at the 2023 ASCOT Awards 2023
Wine Enthusiast Award
PLEASE REMEMBER TO DRINK RESPONSIBLY
Cigar smoking and drinking alcohol are for adults of legal smoking and drinking age.
How We Feel About the Spirit
Unlocking the Story: Jeff’s Return to Blade and Bow Kentucky Straight Bourbon
Some bourbons walk into your life quietly. Others arrive with a little ceremony—maybe a recommendation from a friend, a good story, or, in this case, a literal key dangling from the neck of the bottle. Blade and Bow Kentucky Straight Bourbon was one of the first bottles that ever made its way into our Sipping Room, long before the shelves filled out and long before Jeff could rattle off tasting notes like a seasoned pro. And like any good origin story, this one starts with curiosity, summer sunshine, and a budget under $100.
How It All Began: A Bottle, a Boat, and a Key
A few years back, Jeff decided he wanted to dip his toes into the bourbon world—not the “hunt rare bottles at dawn” level, but the “find something good to enjoy with family after a day on the water” level. He asked around at work, gathered a list of recommendations, and walked into a local liquor store with that list in hand.
Blade and Bow was one of the first bottles he spotted.
He didn’t know much about it then. He didn’t know about the Stitzel‑Weller legacy, the solera aging process, or the quiet cult following. What he did know was that the bottle looked sharp, the price was right, and the little metal key hanging from the neck was intriguing. His first bottle carried Key No. 5, and that tiny detail stuck with him.
Fast‑forward a couple of years. The collection has grown. The palate has matured. The Sipping Room has become a ritual. And when Jeff picked up Blade and Bow again—this time with Key No. 3—the experience hit differently.
This wasn’t just nostalgia. This was validation.
Tasting Blade and Bow Today: Smooth, Sweet, and Surprisingly Layered
Jeff tried this pour neat, and the first thing that struck him was how familiar it felt—classic bourbon notes, but with a little extra charm.
On the Nose
Vanilla and caramel (the expected, comforting duo)
Subtle fruit—apple and pear
A touch of chocolate
A whisper of cinnamon
And when it all comes together? A memory of warm, sweet cornbread
It’s the kind of nose that makes you pause for a second sip before you’ve even taken the first.
On the Palate
At 91 proof, Blade and Bow is surprisingly smooth. Not a lot of heat. Not a lot of fuss.
The mouthfeel leans watery rather than creamy, but the flavors bloom quickly:
Sweetness up front
Apple and pear dancing through the mid‑palate
Vanilla and honey coating the mouth
It’s approachable, friendly, and easy to enjoy—exactly the kind of bourbon that would’ve made sense for Jeff’s early collection, and exactly the kind that still earns its place today.
The Finish
Long. Lingering. Sweet.
The chocolate, apple, and pear notes hang around on the tongue and even on the lips. For the price point, Jeff calls it a “really great bourbon,” and honestly, it’s hard to argue with that assessment.
The Keys, the Curiosity, and the Next Chapter
Blade and Bow’s five‑key story is part marketing, part history, and part collector’s catnip. Jeff now has two of the five keys, and the hunt is officially on. Once you collect all five, you can send a photo to Blade and Bow and receive special rewards—something Jeff has now added to his bourbon bucket list.
But the curiosity doesn’t stop there.
After revisiting this bottle with a more experienced palate, Jeff is now eyeing the 22‑year and 30‑year expressions. They’re rare. They’re pricey. They’re absolutely on his radar.
Because that’s the thing about bourbon: once a bottle becomes part of your story, you can’t help but wonder what the rest of the family tastes like.
Final Thoughts: A Bourbon Worth Unlocking Again
Blade and Bow was one of Jeff’s first steps into the bourbon world, and coming back to it now feels like flipping through an old photo album—familiar, warm, and full of meaning. It’s smooth, sweet, and easy to enjoy, but more importantly, it’s a reminder of where the Sipping Room journey began.
Two keys down. Three to go. And a couple of ultra‑aged bottles waiting somewhere in the future.
Some bourbons are just drinks. This one is a milestone.
PLEASE REMEMBER TO DRINK RESPONSIBLY
Cigar smoking and drinking alcohol are for adults of legal smoking and drinking age.
Related Cocktail
BLADE AND BOW New Fashioned
Ingredients:
1 oz. Blade and Bow Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
.5 oz. elderflower liqueur
Splash of soda
2 orange slices
Cocktail cherry
Preparation:
Add Blade and Bow and elderflower liqueur
Muddle one of the orange slices
Add ice, stir, and top with a splash of soda
Garnish with an orange slice and brandied cherry
PLEASE REMEMBER TO DRINK RESPONSIBLY
Cigar smoking and drinking alcohol are for adults of legal smoking and drinking age.
Disclaimer: Cigar smoking and drinking alcohol are for adults of legal smoking and drinking age. Life’s Rants promotes the responsible and legal enjoyment of premium cigars and alcohol by individuals of legal age. We do not endorse or encourage smoking or drinking among minors.
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