BACKGROUND: Pure Kentucky is a sourced bourbon bottled by Kentucky Bourbon Distillers, LTD, the same company responsible for Willett Family Estate Bourbon and Rye Whiskeys, Willett Pot Still Reserve Bourbon, Noah’s Mill Bourbon, Rowan’s Creek Bourbon and others. Prior to 2012, the label carried a 12 year age statement, but it was later removed from the bottle. Most sources indicate, however, that the bourbon continues to be aged for roughly the same amount of time today. At 107 proof and costing just $38 a bottle, it is an affordably priced higher-octane bourbon. NOSE: I find the nose to be wonderfully delightful with smells of leather, oak, tobacco and the dusty and woody air inside a distillery rickhouse. It also smells a bit like the pages inside a leather-bound antique book that has not been opened for several years. If a bourbon nose can be termed as masculine, this one would fit the bill. PALATE: The leather and other notes from the nose remain present on the palate, but mint is the most dominant initial flavor. The bourbon is not overly sweet at first sip, but toffee-like sweetness because readily apparent before the glencairn is empty. Strangely, the first sip resulted in a prolonged tingling sensation on my lips and tongue, which might be attributable to the proof, but I often drink high-proof bourbons and never before experienced anything similar. FINISH: The finish is a long one, and a Kentucky hug revisits with each sip. Barrel char and oak stop by for a visit during the finish, as well. Though you can tell this Pure Kentucky spent more than a decade in the barrel, the finish is not drying like many well-aged bourbons. FINAL ASSESSMENT: This is a great full-bodied bourbon that makes me feel I should drink it while wearing a smoking jacket, holding a meerschaum pipe, and reading a book with a monocle. I am not a fan of many of the Willet products that KBD also bottles, but I’m quite happy with this purchase. It is a bottle that I will be pulling off of the shelf often.