1792 Aged Twelve Years is the age stated annual limited release from Barton 1792 Distillery in Bardstown, Kentucky, the oldest continuously operating distillery in the Bourbon Capital of the World, established in 1879 on 196 acres around the legendary Tom Moore Spring. First introduced in July 2019 and released in a single batch each summer, this bourbon is built on the same high rye mash bill as the flagship 1792 Small Batch but matured for a full twelve years in new charred American white oak before being bottled at 96.6 proof. The result is a richer, more complex pour than the standard release, leaning into deeper oak, vanilla, cocoa, and a long smoky finish that only extra years in the barrel can deliver. This expression has become heavily allocated and is one of the more elusive shelfer pickups in the Sazerac portfolio, regularly trading well above sticker on the secondary market.
ABV / Proof
| Brand |
1792 |
| Distillery |
Barton 1792 Distillery, Bardstown KY |
| Producer |
Sazerac Company |
| Type |
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey |
| Mash Bill |
High Rye Recipe (undisclosed, est. 74% Corn, 15-18% Rye, 8-10% Malted Barley) |
| Age |
12 Years |
| Barrel |
New Charred American White Oak |
| ABV |
48.3% |
| Proof |
96.6 |
| Bottle Size |
750ml |
| Country |
USA |
| Release |
One batch released each summer (debut July 2019) |
| Master Distiller |
Danny Kahn |
| Awards |
Whisky Advocate 93 pts, Double Gold International Spirits Challenge 2020, 96 pts Ultimate Spirits Competition 2020, Silver SFWSC 2021 |
Tasting Notes
Color: Deep amber with rich copper highlights from twelve years in oak.
Nose: Super complex aromas up front with caramel, vanilla, toffee, golden honey, and well integrated oak.
Palate: Full and slightly creamy with rich vanilla and cocoa, gentle high rye spice, butterscotch, and a touch of dark cherry, all settling into a hint of pleasant baking spice.
Finish: Long, with delicate fruit notes giving way to oaky smokiness, candied pecan, and a dry oak tannin close.
FAQ
How is 1792 Aged Twelve Years different from the standard 1792 Small Batch? Same high rye mash bill, but with twelve years of barrel time versus the small batch's roughly 8 year average, plus a higher 96.6 proof versus 93.7 proof. The 12 Year delivers significantly deeper oak, more developed cocoa and vanilla, and a longer, drier finish.
How rare is the 12 Year compared to other 1792 limited releases? 1792 releases an annual lineup of limited editions including Full Proof, Bottled in Bond, Sweet Wheat, High Rye, Single Barrel, and Port Finish. The Aged Twelve Years is among the more allocated of the line due to its age statement and gets harder to find each year as 12 year stocks tighten across Kentucky.
What does the 1792 name mean? 1792 is the year Kentucky was admitted to the United States. The Barton 1792 Distillery itself dates to 1879 and is the oldest fully operating distillery in Bardstown, Kentucky, sitting on 196 acres with 29 barrel aging warehouses and the historic Tom Moore Spring as its water source.
Where can I buy 1792 Aged Twelve Years online? Available here at Liquor On Broadway while stock lasts, with fast insured shipping nationwide.
