Daviess County Straight Bourbon 750ML

Daviess County Straight Bourbon 750ML is a 96-proof (48% ABV) Kentucky straight bourbon that blends two distinct mashbills into a single 750ml bottle. What distinguishes this expression from most bourbons on the shelf is its unusual dual-mashbill approach — a wheated bourbon and a high-rye bourbon married together — a technique rarely seen in American whiskey production.

Quick Facts: ABV: 48% (96 Proof)  |  Origin: Kentucky, USA  |  Straight Bourbon  |  Distillery: Lux Row Distillers

Production & Heritage

Daviess County is produced by Lux Row Distillers and sourced from Heaven Hill, one of Kentucky's largest and most established bourbon producers. The defining characteristic of this bourbon lies in the blending of two separate mashbills after distillation: a standard bourbon mash of 78% corn, 10% rye, and 12% malted barley combined with a wheated bourbon mash of 68% corn, 20% wheat, and 12% malted barley. While many distilleries blend barrels of varying ages, blending two fundamentally different bourbon recipes is a far less common practice, giving this expression a layered complexity that neither mashbill would achieve on its own. The rye component brings spice and structure, while the wheat adds softness and body.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Peanut brittle leads immediately, followed by waves of oak, cocoa, and vanilla. Dried fruit and a light copper note emerge underneath, with hints of biscuit and citrus rounding out the nose.

Taste: The palate opens with more peanut brittle — a signature through-line in this bourbon — layered with rich oak and salted caramel. At mid-palate, the dual mashbills make themselves known: warm baking spice and pepper from the rye mash meet syrupy vanilla and honey from the wheated mash. Late notes of apricot, cocoa, and graham cracker add depth as the sip develops.

Finish: Long and warm with a persistent spice that lingers well past the swallow. The oak tannins provide just enough grip to keep the sweeter caramel and honey notes in check.

How to Drink Daviess County

At 96 proof, this bourbon is robust enough to hold up over ice but rewards patient sipping neat — a few drops of water help open up the peanut brittle and cocoa aromatics. Three cocktails where the dual-mashbill profile shines: an Old Fashioned, where the caramel-forward sweetness pairs naturally with bitters and orange peel; a Boulevardier, where the rye spice and wheat softness balance Campari's bitterness without getting lost; and a Bourbon Sour, where the honey and apricot notes complement fresh citrus juice beautifully.

Best For

• Bourbon drinkers exploring dual-mashbill blending techniques
• Gifting to a whiskey enthusiast who appreciates production-driven storytelling
• Side-by-side tastings comparing wheated versus high-rye bourbon profiles
• Weekend sipping sessions where you want proof and complexity without a steep price tag

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Daviess County taste like? Daviess County Straight Bourbon is defined by a prominent peanut brittle note threaded through layers of caramel, oak, vanilla, and baking spice. The dual-mashbill blend creates a profile that is simultaneously soft and honeyed from the wheat, and peppery and structured from the rye.

How does Daviess County compare to Woodford Reserve Double Oaked? Both occupy a similar approachable, dessert-leaning space in the bourbon category, but Woodford Reserve Double Oaked is generally considered slightly bolder, more complex, and richer due to its secondary barrel finish. Daviess County trades that oak intensity for a distinct peanut brittle signature and the unique textural interplay of its blended mashbills.

Is Daviess County good for sipping neat? Yes — at 48% ABV it delivers enough proof to carry full flavor without being harsh, and the wheated component adds a smooth, rounded mouthfeel that makes it very approachable for neat drinking.

Where is Daviess County made? Daviess County is a Kentucky bourbon produced by Lux Row Distillers, with the whiskey sourced from Heaven Hill's distillery operations in Kentucky. The brand name itself references Daviess County, Kentucky, a historically significant bourbon-producing region.

What foods pair well with Daviess County? Pecan pie or pralines mirror the peanut brittle and caramel notes directly. Smoked pork shoulder benefits from the bourbon's spice and sweetness cutting through the fat. Dark chocolate truffles complement the cocoa and vanilla layers. Sharp aged cheddar contrasts the wheat-driven softness with tangy richness. Grilled stone fruit like peaches echoes the apricot notes found at mid-palate.

What sizes does Daviess County come in? The standard expression is widely available in the 750ml format.

Is Daviess County worth the price? Daviess County positions itself in the mid-range value tier — priced accessibly for a 96-proof straight bourbon with an unusual dual-mashbill production method. For drinkers interested in how blending distinct bourbon recipes affects flavor, it represents a strong value compared to single-mashbill bourbons at a similar price point.

Why Daviess County?

The dual-mashbill approach is the defining reason this bourbon exists — and the reason it deserves attention. Where the vast majority of straight bourbons rely on a single grain recipe, Daviess County deliberately marries a wheated and a high-rye bourbon to create a profile neither could produce alone. The result is a textural complexity — soft wheat sweetness interlocked with rye-driven spice — that earned it solid marks from critics including an 87/100 from Whiskey for the Ages. At 96 proof and sourced from Heaven Hill, the liquid itself carries serious pedigree behind a production concept that genuinely sets it apart from the crowded Kentucky bourbon field.