Daviess County Lightly Toasted Bourbon 750ML

Daviess County Lightly Toasted Bourbon 750ML is a Kentucky straight bourbon blended from two distinct mashbills and finished in lightly toasted American oak barrels, bottled at 96 proof (48% ABV). What distinguishes this expression is its unusual production approach — rather than using a single four-grain mashbill, it mingles a wheated bourbon with a traditional ryed bourbon before applying the toasted barrel finish.

Quick Facts: ABV: 48% (96 Proof)  |  Origin: Bardstown, Kentucky  |  Aged Over 4 Years, Toasted Barrel Finish  |  Distillery: Lux Row Distillers

Production & Heritage

Lux Row Distillers operates out of Bardstown, Kentucky — often called the bourbon capital of the world — under the Luxco/MGP family of brands. The Daviess County name itself is a historical nod to the Kentucky county that was once home to numerous pre-Prohibition distilleries. For this Lightly Toasted expression, two separate straight bourbons are blended: a wheated bourbon built on a mashbill of 68% corn, 20% wheat, and 12% malted barley, and a ryed bourbon comprising 78% corn, 10% rye, and 12% malted barley. Both components are aged over four years in charred new American oak barrels, then the blended liquid undergoes a secondary finishing period in lightly toasted — rather than charred — American oak barrels. This toasting process applies gentler, more even heat to the wood, coaxing out caramelized sugars and vanilla compounds without the aggressive char-driven tannins of standard bourbon aging.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with warm buttered toast and banana, followed by layers of maple syrup, caramel, and vanilla. Deeper investigation reveals toasted oak, light black pepper, and a subtle thread of Christmas baking spices.

Taste: The entry is soft and honeyed, immediately suggesting the wheat bourbon's influence with cane sugar sweetness and a cereal-grain richness often described as reminiscent of honey-drizzled toasted oats. At mid-palate, the rye component asserts itself with gentle spice — cinnamon and a touch of almond — while brown sugar and caramel carry through to a rounded peak of roasted nuts and oak.

Finish: Medium-long, with a signature toasted coconut macaroon quality that lingers alongside warm vanilla and soft baking spice. The texture remains creamy throughout, fading gradually with a whisper of toasted grain and oak tannin.

How to Drink Daviess County Lightly Toasted

Neat or with a single ice cube is the most rewarding approach, allowing the toasted barrel influence to open slowly without being overwhelmed by dilution. The 96-proof backbone also gives this bourbon enough structure to hold its own in cocktails. An Old Fashioned benefits from the built-in sweetness and toasted oak, reducing the need for heavy sweetener additions. A Paper Plane works well because the bourbon's honeyed spice complements the bittersweet Amaro and citrus elements. A Bourbon Milk Punch takes advantage of the creamy, toasted coconut finish for a naturally dessert-leaning drink.

Best For

• Bourbon drinkers exploring dual-mashbill blends for the first time
• Gifting to someone who appreciates barrel-finished whiskey with nuance
• After-dinner sipping alongside dessert courses
• Building a home bar collection focused on toasted-barrel expressions

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Daviess County Lightly Toasted taste like? This bourbon leads with honey, caramel, and buttered toast, then develops roasted nut and baking spice flavors before finishing with a distinctive toasted coconut character. The blend of wheated and ryed bourbons creates a balance of soft sweetness and mild spice.

How does Daviess County Lightly Toasted compare to Woodford Reserve Double Oaked? Both are Kentucky bourbons finished in secondary barrels, but they differ significantly in approach — Woodford Reserve Double Oaked uses a second heavily charred barrel for its finish, producing more intense dark fruit and chocolate notes, while Daviess County uses a lightly toasted barrel that emphasizes caramel, vanilla, and toasted coconut with less tannic grip. Daviess County also distinguishes itself by blending two separate mashbills rather than relying on a single grain recipe.

Is Daviess County Lightly Toasted good for sipping neat? Yes, the 96-proof strength provides enough intensity to carry the toasted barrel flavors without being overwhelming, and the dual-mashbill blend delivers a layered complexity that rewards slow, attentive sipping.

Where is Daviess County Lightly Toasted made? It is produced at Lux Row Distillers in Bardstown, Nelson County, Kentucky. The Daviess County brand name references an historic Kentucky county with deep roots in American whiskey production prior to Prohibition.

What foods pair well with Daviess County Lightly Toasted? Toasted pecan pie complements the bourbon's roasted nut and caramel notes. Crème brûlée mirrors its vanilla and caramelized sugar character. Aged Gouda echoes the nutty, butterscotch profile. Smoked pork belly aligns with the toasted oak and warm spice, while banana foster amplifies the banana and brown sugar elements found on the nose.

What sizes does Daviess County Lightly Toasted come in? The standard offering is a 750ml bottle, which is the most widely available format.

Is Daviess County Lightly Toasted worth the price? Daviess County Lightly Toasted positions in the mid-premium tier for Kentucky bourbon, and its dual-mashbill construction with a secondary toasted barrel finish delivers a level of complexity that competes well against more expensive single-process bourbons in the same price range.

Why Daviess County Lightly Toasted?

The defining feature here is the marriage of two fundamentally different bourbon styles — wheated and ryed — before the toasted barrel finish ever enters the equation. This layered production creates a flavor profile with more dimension than most single-mashbill bourbons can achieve in a single barrel type. The lightly toasted finishing barrels add a restrained sweetness and coconut-inflected warmth that distinguishes this bottle from the increasingly crowded field of double-oaked and barrel-finished bourbons. At 96 proof with over four years of base aging, it strikes a balance between accessibility and depth that makes it both a standout sipper and a versatile cocktail foundation.