Calumet Farm Small Batch Bourbon 750ML

Calumet Farm Small Batch Bourbon 750ML is a Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey blended from 15-year and 8-year-old barrels, bottled at 86 proof (43% ABV). What distinguishes this small batch release is the inclusion of a well-aged 15-year component — uncommon at this price tier — drawn from a selection of just 50 barrels and aged in deeply charred American oak.

Quick Facts: ABV: 43% (86 Proof)  |  Origin: Bardstown, Kentucky  |  Blend of 15-Year & 8-Year Bourbon  |  Source: Barton Distillery

Production & Heritage

Calumet Farm takes its name from the legendary Thoroughbred horse farm in Lexington, Kentucky, one of the most storied names in American racing. The bourbon itself is sourced from Barton Distillery in Bardstown, Kentucky — a facility with deep roots in bourbon production. The mashbill runs 74% corn, 18% rye, and 8% malted barley, and each small batch is drawn from approximately 50 barrels that have matured in #4 char (deep char) American oak. The brand's signature move is marrying older 15-year-old stocks with younger 8-year-old bourbon, a technique intended to layer depth and complexity while maintaining accessibility at a moderate proof point.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Sweet caramel and butterscotch lead the nose, followed by subtle vanilla and a faint undercurrent of warm baking spice. There is a pleasant aged-oak presence that grounds the sweeter aromatics without dominating them.

Taste: The palate opens with banana bread and light brown sugar, giving way to a mid-palate of vanilla and nutmeg. Smoky char flavor from the deeply charred barrels emerges alongside black tea and a thread of caramel that ties the progression together. The 43% ABV keeps the delivery gentle and approachable, though it does limit some of the intensity the older barrel stock might otherwise contribute.

Finish: Medium in length with oak, cherry, and baking spice forming the backbone. Lingering warmth carries toasted nuts and cinnamon through a clean, softly fading close.

How to Drink Calumet Farm Small Batch

At 86 proof, this bourbon drinks comfortably neat or with a single large ice cube — the lower proof means water or dilution quickly flattens the flavor, so restraint serves it well. In cocktails, the caramel-forward profile and gentle spice adapt nicely across classic templates. An Old Fashioned benefits from the bourbon's inherent sweetness, requiring less added sugar. A Boulevardier gains warm vanilla and oak notes that complement the bittersweet Campari. A Whiskey Sour works well here because the banana bread and brown sugar notes play against citrus without being overpowered.

Best For

• Introducing someone to aged bourbon without overwhelming proof or price
• After-dinner sipping on its own or alongside dessert
• Gifting to a bourbon drinker who appreciates Kentucky heritage and horse-racing culture
• Building a home bar with versatile, cocktail-friendly straight bourbon

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Calumet Farm Small Batch taste like? It delivers a sweet, mellow profile centered on caramel, banana bread, and light brown sugar, with supporting notes of vanilla, nutmeg, and smoky charred oak. The finish is warm and spice-driven with cherry and toasted nut undertones.

How does Calumet Farm Small Batch compare to Basil Hayden Bourbon? Both sit at similar proof points and share an approachable, easy-drinking character that favors smoothness over intensity. Calumet Farm leans more into caramel sweetness and charred-oak depth from its older barrel component, while Basil Hayden tends toward a lighter, more peppery rye-forward profile given its high-rye mashbill.

Is Calumet Farm Small Batch good for sipping neat? Yes — the 86 proof and caramel-rich flavor profile make it a straightforward neat pour, particularly for drinkers who prefer a gentler, less aggressive bourbon experience.

Where is Calumet Farm Small Batch made? The bourbon is sourced from Barton Distillery in Bardstown, Kentucky, in the heart of bourbon country. The Calumet Farm brand itself is named after the historic Calumet Farm horse-racing estate in Lexington, Kentucky.

What foods pair well with Calumet Farm Small Batch? Pecan pie complements the toasted nut and caramel notes directly. Smoked pork shoulder echoes the charred-oak character. Dark chocolate truffles contrast the bourbon's sweetness with bittersweet depth. Sharp aged cheddar provides a savory counterpoint to the brown sugar and vanilla. Bread pudding with caramel sauce amplifies the core flavor profile.

What sizes does Calumet Farm Small Batch come in? The standard bottle is 750ml, which is the most widely available format for this expression.

Is Calumet Farm Small Batch worth the price? It positions in the mid-range tier for Kentucky straight bourbon, and the inclusion of 15-year-old stocks in the blend adds age-statement appeal that is unusual at this level. Expectations should be calibrated to the 86-proof delivery — drinkers seeking barrel-proof intensity may want more, but for a smooth, approachable daily sipper, the value proposition is reasonable.

Why Calumet Farm Small Batch?

The standout element here is the 15-year-old bourbon component in a small batch blend at a mid-range price. Finding well-aged Kentucky straight bourbon stock in an accessible bottle is increasingly difficult as aged inventory tightens across the industry. The 50-barrel batch size and #4 char aging add measurable production specificity beyond generic large-batch blends. While the 86-proof bottling keeps this squarely in the easy-drinking lane rather than the bold-and-complex category, it fills a genuine niche for drinkers who want age, heritage, and a smooth Kentucky pour without chasing allocated releases.