Old Pogue Masters Select Small Batch Bourbon 750ML

Old Pogue Masters Select Small Batch Bourbon 750ML is a 91-proof (45.5% ABV) Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey in a 750ml bottle, rooted in a pre-Prohibition family recipe. This small batch expression earned 95 points from Wine Advocate, which called it a "sensational effort" defined by vanilla, smoke, marmalade, and caramelized citrus.

Quick Facts: ABV: 45.5% (91 Proof)  |  Origin: Maysville, Mason County, Kentucky  |  Small Batch Bourbon  |  Distillery: Old Pogue Distillery (DSP-KY-3)

Production & Heritage

The Old Pogue Distillery holds one of Kentucky's oldest federal distillery permits, DSP-KY-3, with roots tracing back to the 19th century in Maysville, Mason County. The modern distillery opened in 2012, but since its own stocks had not reached full maturity, this expression is contract distilled at Heaven Hill and aged at Willett Distillery — two of Kentucky's most respected operations. The recipe itself was recreated from handwritten notes set down on three sheets of lined notebook paper by H.E. Pogue III, making Masters Select a rare bridge between pre-Prohibition bourbon heritage and contemporary craft production.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: An opening wave of leather greets the nose, followed by layers of honey, cereal grain, and light pine. Deeper inhalation reveals toasted oak, resin, and subtle tobacco.

Taste: The entry is soft and buttery, with fresh popcorn and bread giving way to brown sugar, vanilla, and prune sweetness at mid-palate. As it develops, notes of black tea, clove, cinnamon, fig, and a distinctive two-fingered pinch of fresh mint and evergreen emerge, adding complexity and a savory backbone.

Finish: A leathery barrel char arrives first, carrying clove spice and bitter oak before tapering into an earthy nougat and almond character. The finish is medium-long, with brown butter and chocolate lingering quietly.

How to Drink Masters Select

At 91 proof, Masters Select has enough structure to drink neat or with a single ice cube, which opens the honey and mint notes without washing out the leather and oak complexity. It also holds its ground well in cocktails:

• Old Fashioned — The brown sugar and clove notes amplify beautifully under a muddled sugar cube and Angostura bitters.
• Mint Julep — The bourbon's inherent evergreen and fresh mint character makes it a natural match for this classic Kentucky serve.
• Manhattan — Its fig and nougat undertones pair exceptionally with sweet vermouth, creating a rich, layered drink.

Best For

• Bourbon collectors seeking pre-Prohibition recipe revivals with documented provenance
• Gifting a whiskey enthusiast who values heritage and a strong critical pedigree
• After-dinner sipping alongside dark chocolate or aged cheese
• Exploring the intersection of contract distillation and historic family recipes

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Masters Select taste like? Masters Select leads with buttery grain and brown sugar before developing into a complex mid-palate of clove, fig, evergreen, and fresh mint, finishing with leathery barrel char and earthy nougat.

How does Masters Select compare to Blanton's? Both are well-regarded Kentucky bourbons at similar proof points, with Blanton's leaning toward sweeter caramel and fruit while Masters Select emphasizes leather, oak, and herbal complexity. Reviewers have noted comparable sweetness on the front end, though Masters Select develops more savory, spice-driven depth on the finish.

Is Masters Select good for sipping neat? At 45.5% ABV, Masters Select sits at an ideal proof for neat sipping — high enough to deliver full flavor without excessive heat, especially given its buttery texture and layered complexity.

Where is Masters Select made? Old Pogue Distillery is based in Maysville, Mason County, Kentucky, and holds the federal permit DSP-KY-3. The bourbon itself is contract distilled at Heaven Hill in Bardstown and aged at Willett Distillery, also in Bardstown.

What foods pair well with Masters Select? Smoked brisket or pulled pork complements its leathery, oak-driven profile. Dark chocolate truffles echo the finish's cocoa and nougat notes. Aged Gouda or sharp cheddar pairs well with the brown butter and caramel backbone. Pecan pie mirrors the bourbon's sweetness and nutty almond tones. Grilled stone fruit with honey highlights the mint and evergreen character.

What sizes does Masters Select come in? Old Pogue Masters Select Small Batch Bourbon is available in the standard 750ml bottle.

Is Masters Select worth the price? Masters Select positions as a premium small batch bourbon, justified by its 95-point Wine Advocate rating, pre-Prohibition recipe provenance, and the pedigree of its production partners at Heaven Hill and Willett Distillery. Within the premium bourbon tier, it delivers strong value for collectors and serious sippers alike.

Why Masters Select?

Few bourbons on the market can claim a recipe literally written by hand on notebook paper by a third-generation distiller whose family held one of Kentucky's earliest federal distilling permits. The 95-point score from Wine Advocate and a Double Gold Medal from TheFiftyBest.com in 2012 confirm this isn't just a heritage story — it's a critically validated bourbon. The collaboration between Heaven Hill's distilling expertise and Willett's aging program gives Masters Select a level of depth and craft that standalone contract brands rarely achieve. For anyone drawn to bourbon history made tangible in the glass, this expression stands apart.