Daviess County Medium Toasted Bourbon 750ML

Daviess County Medium Toasted Bourbon 750ML is a 96-proof (48% ABV) Kentucky straight bourbon finished in medium toasted American oak barrels. What distinguishes this expression is Lux Row Distillers' dual-mashbill approach, blending both ryed and wheated bourbon recipes before applying the toasted barrel finish — a layered production method uncommon in the category.

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

Production & Heritage

Lux Row Distillers in Bardstown, Kentucky, produces the Daviess County line using a signature technique that combines two distinct bourbon mashbills — one ryed, one wheated — into a single blend. For the Medium Toasted expression, the bourbon first ages traditionally for over four years in standard charred new American oak barrels. It then undergoes a secondary finishing period in barrels that have been toasted but not charred, a deliberate separation of the toasting and charring processes that sets it apart from producers who apply both treatments to the same barrel. This two-barrel approach coaxes different wood sugars and flavor compounds from each vessel, contributing caramelized sweetness and rounded texture without the heavy char influence.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with roasted nuts and warm vanilla, developing into toasted caramel and clove. Hints of oak and gentle baking spice round out the aromatics.

Taste: Entry is bold with a burst of vanilla, quickly followed by thick leather and spicy ginger on the mid-palate. As it develops, pumpkin pie spices — cinnamon, nutmeg — take the lead alongside rich oak, coconut, and dark chocolate. A subtle rye spice keeps the sweetness in check throughout.

Finish: Surprisingly smooth and medium-long, landing on walnuts and caramel with trailing notes of mint, citrus, and lingering oak spice. The texture remains coating without turning astringent.

How to Drink Medium Toasted Bourbon

At 96 proof, this bourbon drinks well neat or with a single ice cube, which opens the toasted oak sweetness without diluting the spice structure. An Old Fashioned benefits from the inherent caramel and vanilla richness, requiring minimal sweetener. A Boulevardier pairs the dark chocolate and cinnamon notes against Campari's bitterness for a deeply layered cocktail. A Gold Rush lets the honey syrup amplify the toasted nut and warm spice character while lemon brightens the finish.

Best For

• Bourbon drinkers exploring toasted barrel finishes for the first time
• Gifting to someone who appreciates Kentucky straight bourbon with added complexity
• Side-by-side tastings comparing toasted versus charred barrel influences
• After-dinner sipping on cool evenings alongside dessert

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Daviess County Medium Toasted taste like? The dominant profile is rich vanilla and caramel supported by cinnamon, dark chocolate, and roasted walnuts, with a rye spice backbone that prevents it from reading as overly sweet. The toasted barrel finish adds a smooth, rounded oak character distinct from heavily charred bourbons.

How does Medium Toasted compare to the standard Daviess County Bourbon? Both use Lux Row's signature blend of ryed and wheated mashbills, but the Medium Toasted expression undergoes an additional finishing step in toasted American oak barrels. This secondary maturation amplifies the caramel, coconut, and warm baking spice notes while softening the oak tannins present in the standard release.

Is Daviess County Medium Toasted good for sipping neat? Yes — at 48% ABV, it sits at a proof point that delivers full flavor without excessive heat, and the toasted barrel finish contributes a smooth, rounded mouthfeel well-suited to neat drinking.

Where is Daviess County Medium Toasted made? It is distilled and aged at Lux Row Distillers in Bardstown, Kentucky, a city widely recognized as the bourbon capital of the world, situated in the heart of the state's distilling corridor.

What foods pair well with Daviess County Medium Toasted? Pecan pie complements the toasted nut and caramel notes directly. Smoked pork belly matches the oak spice with savory richness. Dark chocolate truffles echo the cocoa undertones on the mid-palate. Sharp aged cheddar contrasts the bourbon's sweetness with tangy acidity. Crème brûlée mirrors the caramelized sugar and vanilla at the core of the profile.

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

Is Daviess County Medium Toasted worth the price? It positions as a mid-premium bourbon, and the dual-mashbill blending combined with a secondary toasted barrel finish delivers genuine production complexity that justifies its tier — especially for drinkers interested in how toasting versus charring shapes flavor.

Why Daviess County Medium Toasted?

The clearest differentiator here is the two-step barrel program: traditional aging in charred oak followed by finishing in separately toasted barrels, rather than applying both treatments to one cask. Combined with the unusual decision to blend ryed and wheated mashbills before that finishing stage, this bourbon pulls flavor influence from multiple grain recipes and two distinct wood treatments. The result is a layered whiskey where caramel sweetness, baking spice, and oak richness coexist without any single element dominating. For bourbon drinkers curious about how barrel treatment shapes flavor, this expression serves as a clear and approachable case study at a practical 96 proof.