Peerless Small Batch Bourbon is the flagship barrel proof bourbon from Kentucky Peerless Distilling Co., one of Louisville's most acclaimed craft distilleries and a revival of the historic Peerless brand once run by founder Corky Taylor's great grandfather, Henry Kraver. After Prohibition silenced the original distillery, the Taylor family resurrected Peerless in 2014, reclaiming the original distilled spirits plant number, DSP-KY-50, and returning bourbon to the Peerless name in 2019 for the first time in over a century. True to the distillery's exacting philosophy, every drop is honestly crafted and never sourced, made with strictly sweet mash fermentation, where fresh water and grain are used in every batch rather than backset, bottled at barrel proof with no water added, and never chill filtered, preserving the full body and craft flavor. The result is a remarkably refined bourbon that drinks well beyond its years. This bottling is presented at 108.9 proof. Where the Peerless rye leans into hay and pepper, the bourbon is rooted in fruit, florals, and oak. Expect a rich nose of citrus, cedar, honeysuckle, caramel, and a balance of spicy oak, a layered palate of caramel and toasted oak giving way to brown sugar, cinnamon, dry cocoa, leather, and chocolate covered cherry, and a long, satisfying finish where sweet citrus, florals, and oak tussle with cocoa and spice. Awarded a Gold Medal at the 2024 San Francisco World Spirits Competition and prized by enthusiasts, it is a standout craft bourbon for the serious whiskey lover. Enjoy it neat, or add a few drops of water to open it up.
ABV / Proof
| Distillery |
Kentucky Peerless Distilling Co., Louisville, Kentucky |
| Category |
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (small batch, barrel proof) |
| Expression |
Peerless Small Batch Bourbon |
| Process |
Sweet mash; non chill filtered; bottled at barrel proof, no water added; grain to bottle |
| Age |
No Age Statement (approximately 4 years or more) |
| ABV |
54.45% |
| Proof |
108.9 |
| Bottle Size |
750ml |
| Country |
United States |
Tasting Notes
Color: Rich amber.
Nose: Citrus, cedar, honeysuckle, caramel, and spicy oak.
Palate: Caramel and toasted oak giving way to brown sugar, cinnamon, dry cocoa, leather, and chocolate covered cherry.
Finish: Long and satisfying, with sweet citrus, florals, oak, cocoa, and spice.
FAQ
What makes Peerless Bourbon special? It is a grain to bottle, sweet mash, barrel proof bourbon, never sourced and never chill filtered, from the revived historic Peerless distillery in Louisville.
What proof is it? Peerless bottles at barrel proof with no water added, so proof varies by batch. This bottling is 108.9 proof, or 54.45 percent ABV.
What is sweet mash? Sweet mash uses fresh water and grain for every fermentation rather than reusing backset, as in the more common sour mash process. It is a more demanding, less common approach.
How is it different from Peerless Rye? Where the rye leans into hay and pepper spice, the bourbon is rooted in fruit, florals, and oak, with caramel and cocoa depth.
Is it chill filtered? No. Like all Peerless whiskey, it is non chill filtered and bottled at barrel proof for full flavor.
Where can I buy Peerless Small Batch Bourbon online? Available here at Liquor On Broadway while stock lasts, with fast insured shipping nationwide.
