Calumet Farm 18 Year Trophy Decanter 750ML

Calumet Farm 18 Year Trophy Decanter 750ML is an 18-year-old barrel-proof Kentucky straight bourbon bottled at 59% ABV (118 proof) in a 750ml presentation. This limited 2025 release took home Best of Show Whiskey at the 2025 Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA) Tasting Competition, earning the distinction of "World's Best Bourbon Whiskey" from that organization. It also commemorates the centennial anniversary of Calumet Farm, originally founded in June 1924 in Fayette County, Kentucky.

Quick Facts: ABV: 59% (118 Proof)  |  Origin: Kentucky, USA  |  18 Year Age Statement  |  Source Distillery: Barton Distillery  |  Non-Chill Filtered

Production & Heritage

Calumet Farm traces its roots to roughly 1,000 acres of bluegrass-covered limestone hills in Fayette County, Kentucky, where the original farm was established in 1924. The bourbon itself is produced by Western Spirits Beverage Company and bottled by Three Springs Bottling Company, both located in Bowling Green, Kentucky, using barrels sourced from Barton Distillery. The mashbill is 74% corn, 18% rye, and 8% malted barley, matured for a full 18 years in new American white oak barrels with a heavy #4 char sourced from Kentucky Cooperage in Lebanon, Kentucky. The whiskey is non-chill filtered, retaining the full body and oil-rich texture that extended aging in heavily charred oak develops over nearly two decades.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Robust waves of toasted oak and caramel lead into darker layers of pipe tobacco, leather, and black cherry. Behind those initial impressions, rich dark fruit and vanilla linger quietly, hinting at the depth to come.

Taste: The entry is full-bodied and velvety, with immediate toffee and butterscotch that give way to seasoned oak and baking spices at mid-palate. Black pepper and charred oak build through the peak, while the high rye content pushes a persistent spice thread against the sweeter vanilla and dark fruit undertones. At 118 proof, the intensity is commanding but never harsh—the 18 years of maturation have smoothed the barrel-proof heat into something more integrated.

Finish: Long and robust, anchored by dark chocolate, aged leather, and lingering rye spice. The heavy char influence carries through as a final tannic dryness that slowly fades into residual sweetness.

How to Drink Calumet Farm 18 Year

At 118 proof, this bourbon rewards a neat pour with a few drops of water to open the oak and dark fruit complexity without muting the barrel-proof intensity. It also holds up well on a single large ice cube as the gradual dilution reveals new layers over time. For cocktails, the 18 Year's bold structure makes it a standout in an Old Fashioned, where the toffee and baking spice amplify the cocktail's core profile; a Boulevardier, where the dark fruit and leather complement Campari's bitterness; or a Manhattan, where the rye-forward spice and deep oak pair naturally with sweet vermouth.

Best For

• Gifting a serious bourbon collector who values age-stated, barrel-proof releases
• Marking a milestone anniversary or retirement with a whiskey that itself represents decades of patience
• Adding a 2025 WSWA Best of Show winner to a curated home bar
• Side-by-side tasting sessions comparing ultra-aged Kentucky bourbons

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Calumet Farm 18 Year taste like? It presents a rich, layered profile dominated by toffee, butterscotch, and seasoned oak with prominent baking spices and black pepper. The finish carries dark chocolate, leather, and lingering rye spice from the 18% rye mashbill.

How does Calumet Farm 18 Year compare to Elijah Craig 18 Year? Both are 18-year-old Kentucky bourbons, but Calumet Farm 18 Year is bottled at a higher barrel proof of 118, while Elijah Craig 18 Year is typically bottled at 90 proof. The Calumet Farm expression is also non-chill filtered and uses a heavier #4 char on its barrels, which tends to amplify the charred oak and dark fruit character compared to the more restrained oak profile of the Elijah Craig.

Is Calumet Farm 18 Year good for sipping neat? Yes—despite its 118-proof intensity, the 18 years of maturation have rounded the heat considerably, and the non-chill filtration preserves a rich, oily mouthfeel that makes it well-suited to neat sipping. A few drops of water can further unlock its darker fruit and spice layers.

Where is Calumet Farm 18 Year made? The bourbon is sourced from Barton Distillery in Kentucky and bottled by Three Springs Bottling Company in Bowling Green, Kentucky. The Calumet Farm brand is tied to the historic Calumet Farm property in Fayette County, Kentucky, established in 1924.

What foods pair well with Calumet Farm 18 Year? Smoked brisket or pulled pork complements the charred oak and spice; dark chocolate truffles echo the finish's cocoa notes; aged sharp cheddar stands up to the barrel-proof intensity; pecan pie mirrors the toffee and butterscotch sweetness; and a charcuterie board with cured meats and dried cherries bridges the leather and dark fruit qualities.

What sizes does Calumet Farm 18 Year come in? The Trophy Decanter expression is available in the standard 750ml bottle size.

Is Calumet Farm 18 Year worth the price? It positions squarely in the ultra-premium tier for Kentucky bourbon, justified by its 18-year age statement, barrel-proof bottling, non-chill filtration, and the 2025 WSWA Best of Show Whiskey distinction. For collectors and enthusiasts seeking well-aged, high-proof bourbon with verified critical recognition, the value proposition is strong within its competitive set.

Why Calumet Farm 18 Year?

Winning Best of Show Whiskey at the 2025 WSWA Tasting Competition puts this release in rare company among American whiskeys evaluated in blind tasting by industry professionals. The combination of a genuine 18-year age statement, barrel-proof bottling at 118 proof, and non-chill filtration represents a trifecta that relatively few bourbon releases can claim simultaneously. The heavy #4 char from Kentucky Cooperage barrels contributes a pronounced depth of charred oak and dark fruit that distinguishes it from lighter-charred aged bourbons in the same price tier. As a limited centennial release marking Calumet Farm's 100th anniversary, it also carries a scarcity factor that adds long-term collectibility to its drinking merits.