Kentucky Owl Confiscated is a premium small batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon released by Master Blender Dixon Dedman in 2019, paying direct tribute to one of the most dramatic chapters in Kentucky distilling history. In 1916, just ahead of national Prohibition, federal agents descended on the original Kentucky Owl distillery founded by Dixon's great great grandfather Charles Mortimer Dedman in 1879. Roughly 250,000 gallons of mature Kentucky Owl bourbon were seized and shipped to a federal warehouse in Frankfort, Kentucky, where the entire stock was lost to a suspicious fire shortly thereafter, never to be tasted again. The original distillery shuttered, and Kentucky Owl faded from the market for nearly a century until Dixon Dedman revived the family brand in 2014 as the Wise Man's Bourbon. Confiscated is a tribute to those lost barrels and was the first Kentucky Owl release made available in all 50 US states, marking the brand's national debut. Bottled at 96.4 proof in the brand's signature vintage label livery, Confiscated is approachable and complex, designed to stand up neat, on the rocks, or in a cocktail.
ABV / Proof
| Brand |
Kentucky Owl |
| Producer |
Kentucky Owl, Bardstown, Kentucky |
| Master Blender |
Dixon Dedman |
| Type |
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Small Batch |
| Mash Bill |
Undisclosed |
| Age |
No Age Statement, minimum 4 years per Kentucky Straight standard |
| Cask |
New Charred American Oak |
| ABV |
48.2% |
| Proof |
96.4 |
| Bottle Size |
750ml |
| Country |
USA |
| Released |
2019 |
| Notable |
First Kentucky Owl release distributed in all 50 US states |
| Packaging |
Vintage style label featuring riverside distillery illustration and signature owl emblem |
Tasting Notes
Color: Warm amber with copper highlights.
Nose: Floral gardenia and honeysuckle layered with grape, red apple, orange peel, wet banana bread, and toasty sourdough crust.
Palate: Rounded mouthfeel with graham crackers, toffee, muted sweet cinnamon spice, fresh squeezed orange, and white grape balanced by toasted oak and tobacco.
Finish: Medium long with lingering oak, baking spice, and a hint of cayenne warmth.
FAQ
Why is it called Confiscated? The name commemorates the 1916 federal seizure of the original Kentucky Owl bourbon inventory just before Prohibition. The seized barrels were shipped to a Frankfort warehouse and were ultimately lost in a suspicious fire, ending the original distillery's run. Confiscated is a tribute to those lost stocks and to founder C.M. Dedman's legacy.
How does Confiscated compare to Kentucky Owl Batch releases? The Batch releases are barrel proof, hyper limited, and sit at the top end of the lineup with proofs typically over 110. Confiscated is a more approachable, lower proof small batch designed for broader availability and easy sipping. The recently discontinued Kentucky Owl Last Rye Batch 4 is a defining limited release for collectors of the brand.
Who distills Kentucky Owl Confiscated? Kentucky Owl does not publicly disclose its source distillery or mash bill. Master Blender Dixon Dedman selects and blends mature Kentucky Straight Bourbon stocks for each release.
Where can I buy Kentucky Owl Confiscated online? Available here at Liquor On Broadway while stock lasts, with fast insured shipping nationwide.
