Blade and Bow Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is a heartfelt tribute to one of the most legendary names in American whiskey, the historic Stitzel-Weller Distillery in Louisville, Kentucky, the hallowed site where Old Fitzgerald, Rebel Yell, and the original Pappy Van Winkle were once made. The brand takes its name from the two parts of a skeleton key, the blade and the bow, and every bottle is adorned with a decorative brass key, a nod to the five keys of bourbon making: grain, yeast, fermentation, distillation, and aging. What makes this bourbon special is its solera aging system, a method borrowed from the great port and sherry houses of Spain and Portugal. In this fractional blending process, a tiered system of barrels is never fully emptied, so that every bottle contains a thread of older whiskey, including some of the last precious stocks distilled at Stitzel-Weller before it fell silent in 1992. That heritage liquid is married with other carefully aged bourbons matured in new charred American oak, creating a consistent, balanced, and characterful profile. While it carries no age statement, the whiskey in the system is reported to be six years and older. Bottled at an approachable 91 proof, it is fruit forward and smooth, with ripe orchard fruit, caramel, and gentle baking spice. For the bourbon lover who appreciates history in the glass, the romance of a lost distillery, and a genuinely well made everyday pour, Blade and Bow delivers heritage, craft, and a beautiful bottle all at once. Enjoy it neat, on the rocks, or in a refined Old Fashioned.
ABV / Proof
| Brand |
Blade and Bow |
| Producer |
Diageo (honoring Stitzel-Weller Distilling Co., Louisville, Kentucky) |
| Category |
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey |
| Expression |
Solera Aged, Core Release |
| Age |
No Age Statement (solera includes whiskey 6 years and older, plus older Stitzel-Weller stock) |
| Maturation |
New Charred American Oak, Solera fractional blending system |
| ABV |
45.5% |
| Proof |
91 |
| Bottle Size |
750ml |
| Country |
United States |
Tasting Notes
Color: Warm amber.
Nose: Ripe pear and apricot with vanilla, light oak, and a hint of warm baking spice.
Palate: Caramel and toasted oak with dried fruit, nutmeg, and light tobacco.
Finish: Clean and medium length, with soft vanilla, spice, and subtle leather.
FAQ
What is the solera aging system? It is a fractional blending method, borrowed from port and sherry making, in which tiered barrels are never fully emptied. This ensures every bottle contains a portion of older whiskey for consistency and depth.
Does it really contain Stitzel-Weller bourbon? Yes. Through the solera system, the blend preserves a thread of some of the last bourbon distilled at the historic Stitzel-Weller Distillery before it closed in 1992.
What proof is it? It is bottled at 91 proof, or 45.5 percent ABV.
Does it have an age statement? No. It is a non age statement bourbon, though the whiskey in the solera is reported to be six years and older, with much older heritage stock blended in.
What does the key on the bottle mean? The brass key represents the five keys of bourbon making, grain, yeast, fermentation, distillation, and aging, and recalls the keys to the old Stitzel-Weller rickhouses.
Where can I buy Blade and Bow online? Available here at Liquor On Broadway while stock lasts, with fast insured shipping nationwide.
