{"title":"Old Pogue","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"old-pogue-masters-select-small-batch-bourbon-750ml","title":"Old Pogue Masters Select Small Batch Bourbon 750ML","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOld Pogue Masters Select Small Batch Bourbon 750ML\u003c\/strong\u003e 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 \u003cem\u003eWine Advocate\u003c\/em\u003e, which called it a \"sensational effort\" defined by vanilla, smoke, marmalade, and caramelized citrus.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQuick Facts:\u003c\/strong\u003e ABV: 45.5% (91 Proof)  |  Origin: Maysville, Mason County, Kentucky  |  Small Batch Bourbon  |  Distillery: Old Pogue Distillery (DSP-KY-3)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eProduction \u0026amp; Heritage\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAroma:\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTaste:\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFinish:\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eHow to Drink Masters Select\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAt 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:\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOld Fashioned\u003c\/strong\u003e — The brown sugar and clove notes amplify beautifully under a muddled sugar cube and Angostura bitters.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMint Julep\u003c\/strong\u003e — The bourbon's inherent evergreen and fresh mint character makes it a natural match for this classic Kentucky serve.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eManhattan\u003c\/strong\u003e — Its fig and nougat undertones pair exceptionally with sweet vermouth, creating a rich, layered drink.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eBest For\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBourbon collectors seeking pre-Prohibition recipe revivals with documented provenance\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGifting a whiskey enthusiast who values heritage and a strong critical pedigree\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAfter-dinner sipping alongside dark chocolate or aged cheese\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eExploring the intersection of contract distillation and historic family recipes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat does Masters Select taste like?\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow does Masters Select compare to Blanton's?\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs Masters Select good for sipping neat?\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhere is Masters Select made?\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat foods pair well with Masters Select?\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat sizes does Masters Select come in?\u003c\/strong\u003e Old Pogue Masters Select Small Batch Bourbon is available in the standard 750ml bottle.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs Masters Select worth the price?\u003c\/strong\u003e Masters Select positions as a premium small batch bourbon, justified by its 95-point \u003cem\u003eWine Advocate\u003c\/em\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eWhy Masters Select?\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFew 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 \u003cem\u003eWine Advocate\u003c\/em\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Old Pogue","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44836694327465,"sku":"23324","price":99.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0680\/1024\/6313\/files\/old_pogue_masters_select__22363.jpg?v=1730466791"}],"url":"https:\/\/theliquorbarn.com\/collections\/old-pogue.oembed","provider":"The Liquor Barn","version":"1.0","type":"link"}