Early Times Kentucky Whiskey 750ML Pet

Early Times Kentucky Whiskey 750ML PET is a double-distilled American whiskey bottled at 40% ABV (80 proof) in a convenient 750ml PET plastic bottle. It earned Grand Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and Gold at the International Spirits Challenge, establishing it as a respected value-tier Kentucky whiskey.

Quick Facts: ABV: 40% (80 Proof)  |  Origin: Kentucky, USA  |  Minimum 3 Years Aged  |  Producer: Sazerac Company

Production & Heritage

Early Times traces its roots to 1860, making it one of Kentucky's longest-running whiskey brands. Now produced under the Sazerac Company since mid-2020, the whiskey is double distilled using a mashbill of 79% corn, 11% rye, and 10% malted barley, then aged a minimum of three years in heat-cycled warehouses. The defining production choice — and what separates Early Times from bourbon — is its maturation in used oak barrels rather than the new charred oak barrels required for bourbon classification. The brand has historically owned its own cooperage, giving it direct control over how barrel character shapes the final spirit.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with gentle vanilla and soft oak, followed by hints of lime, new leather, and a faint licorice candy sweetness. With time in the glass, delicate rose petal and almond notes emerge from behind the initial grain character.

Taste: The palate entry is soft and approachable, with a gum-like sweetness giving way to toffee, praline, and light caramel at mid-palate. Toasted marshmallow mingles with subtle pineapple and orange slice notes as the whiskey develops across the tongue. The used-barrel aging delivers a mellower, less aggressive oak influence than typical bourbons at this price point.

Finish: The finish is moderate in length with a slightly resiny quality and lingering caramel sweetness. It fades cleanly without excessive burn, consistent with its 80-proof bottling strength.

How to Drink Early Times

Early Times performs well on the rocks or with a splash of water, where its soft vanilla and toffee notes open up without losing structure. Its mellow profile and accessible price point make it a reliable mixing whiskey for several classic cocktails.

• Whiskey Sour: The caramel and citrus undertones complement fresh lemon juice without fighting for dominance.
• Highball: The light, clean grain character stretches beautifully with soda water, making a refreshing everyday serve.
• Old Fashioned: The vanilla-forward profile provides a soft canvas for bitters and orange peel without overwhelming sweetness.

Best For

• Stocking a home bar with a dependable, versatile mixing whiskey
• Introducing new whiskey drinkers to Kentucky-style spirits without overwhelming heat
• Tailgating, camping, or outdoor events where a shatterproof PET bottle is practical
• Batch-mixing cocktails for casual gatherings and cookouts

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Early Times taste like? Early Times delivers a soft, mellow flavor profile centered on vanilla, toffee, and toasted marshmallow, with subtle hints of citrus and praline. It is notably smooth with restrained oak influence due to its used-barrel aging.

How does Early Times compare to Old Grand-Dad Bottled in Bond? Early Times is considerably more mellow, offering a softer and more subtle flavor profile, while Old Grand-Dad Bottled in Bond is spicier with pronounced cinnamon and rye-driven heat at a higher 100 proof. The two represent very different ends of the Kentucky whiskey spectrum — one favoring smoothness, the other bold character.

Is Early Times good for cocktails? Early Times is widely regarded as one of the best budget-friendly mixing whiskeys available, with its mild vanilla-caramel profile blending seamlessly into Highballs, Whiskey Sours, and Old Fashioneds without overpowering other ingredients.

Where is Early Times made? Early Times is produced in Kentucky by the Sazerac Company, which acquired the brand in mid-2020. It was previously distilled at the Early Times Distillery in the Shively neighborhood of Louisville, Kentucky.

What foods pair well with Early Times? Smoked pulled pork works well alongside the whiskey's caramel sweetness. Pecan pie mirrors and amplifies its praline notes. Sharp cheddar provides a savory counterpoint to the vanilla character. Grilled stone fruit like peaches echoes the subtle fruit undertones. Cornbread with honey butter complements the corn-forward mashbill.

What sizes does Early Times come in? Early Times Kentucky Whiskey is available in a standard 750ml bottle (including this PET plastic format), as well as 1L and 1.75L sizes commonly found across the United States.

Is Early Times worth the price? Early Times positions firmly in the value tier of Kentucky whiskeys, and its Grand Gold medal from the San Francisco World Spirits Competition suggests it punches above its weight class. For mixing and everyday sipping, it represents strong value within its price range.

Why Early Times?

Early Times stands apart in the crowded Kentucky whiskey market for one clear reason: its deliberate use of used oak barrels for aging, a choice that produces a distinctly softer, more approachable spirit than new-charred-barrel bourbons. That production decision, paired with a high-corn 79% mashbill and minimum three-year maturation in heat-cycled warehouses, results in a whiskey that has earned both Grand Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and Gold at the International Spirits Challenge. With over 160 years of heritage behind the name, Early Times remains one of the most recognizable and accessible Kentucky whiskeys on the market — a genuine workhorse bottle that delivers consistent quality whether poured neat, on ice, or shaken into a cocktail.