Old Kentucky Tavern

[BourbonJoe]

Who makes (made) this bourbon? Is it still made?

Thanks,

Joe :usflag:

[cowdery]

Kentucky Tavern (I don't recall an "Old" in the name) was the flagship brand of Glenmore Distillers, a Louisville company owned by the Thompson family. Glenmore was sold to what is now Diageo in 1992 and I believe the Kentucky Tavern brand is now owned by David Sherman.

Known as "KT," Kentucky Tavern was a popular local brand in Louisville, a solid, standard bourbon along the lines of Very Old Barton. It was named after an actual bar and restaurant that stood for many years near Cherokee Park on Louisville's tony east side. Kentucky Tavern, the bar and restaurant, was resurrected at its original location in the late 70s or early 80s and was one of my main hangs when I lived there. It's a good spot.

After the demise of Glenmore, Kentucky Tavern, the whiskey, became in some markets a "Kentucky whiskey" and in others, a blend. Regardless of how it's labeled today, it is a bottom-shelf product, although if you happen to find some bottled before 1992, it should be quite good.

[BourbonJoe]

Regardless of how it's labeled today, it is a bottom-shelf product, although if you happen to find some bottled before 1992, it should be quite good.

My bottle is a 100 proofer from the mid 50's. Who do you think made it during those times?

Joe :usflag:

[cowdery]

My bottle is a 100 proofer from the mid 50's. Who do you think made it during those times?

Joe :usflag:

Glenmore, and it should be pretty good. (but not a wheater, as I noted in the other thread. That was but a brief interlude when the brand was on its way down.)

[dougdog]

Glenmore, and it should be pretty good. (but not a wheater, as I noted in the other thread. That was but a brief interlude when the brand was on its way down.)

Joe/Chuck

Along with Kentucky Tavern, Glenmore also had a product around the late 70's called "Silver Label", Both KT and SL were mid shelf bourbon's IIRC, But like most whiskies of that era they were not at all bad to drink. Even today, I still don't mind pouring one of those old vintage bourbons for a short travel back in time.

Joe, I've never seen or tasted the 100 proof version yet...is it "bonded"?...that sounds like an interesting one!

I'm with Chuck...I've never known KT to be called "Old" on the label...not to say it couldn't have...can you post a picture of the label?

dp

[kbuzbee]

When I was growing up, Kentucky Tavern was "The" Bourbon in our home. It's the only one I can remember my folks drinking... Can't imagine it was other than mid shelf, even then. My folks were not extravagant people. Even so, I suspect this is the standard for "bourbon" somewhere deep in my psyche... not that I EVER tried it when I was that young.... well..... :grin:

Ken

[Gillman]

In the mid-80's when I first moved to Toronto, I was familiar with this brand since a number of restaurants carried it at the time. I do not remember seeing it at LCBO but it must have been brought in by one of the licensed importers. There was a place downtown after work I used to go sometimes which had it. I thought it was excellent. As I recall it had a medium body and round full taste. Sometime later it became wheat-recipe for a while but in the late 80's it was still rye-recipe. I used to chase it with draft Canadian beer (this is pre-micro days): good combination.

Gary

[BourbonJoe]

I'm with Chuck...I've never known KT to be called "Old" on the label...not to say it couldn't have...can you post a picture of the label?

dp

Joe :usflag:

[cowdery]

Very cool. That has to have been a special bottling. Normal Kentucky Tavern was in a standard round bottle with a black and white label, that maybe had a little silver foil on it.

At first glance, that logo reminded me of Yellowstone Mellow Mash, which also was a Glenmore product. (Yellowstone Mellow Mash was, incidentally, Buddy Thompson's favorite bourbon.)