Lucky Seven The Hold Up 9 Year Bourbon 750ML

Lucky Seven The Hold Up 9 Year Bourbon 750ML is a 100-proof (50% ABV) Kentucky Straight Bourbon aged nine years in new American oak, bottled at 750ml. It earned 92 points from Whiskey Advocate, rated "Outstanding — A Whiskey of Superior Character and Style," placing it among the more distinguished sourced bourbons in its price tier.

Quick Facts: ABV: 50% (100 Proof)  |  Origin: Kentucky, USA  |  Age: 9 Years  |  Bottled at: Bardstown Bourbon Company

Production & Heritage

Lucky Seven Spirits sources The Hold Up from an undisclosed Kentucky distillery, with bottling handled at the Bardstown Bourbon Company facility. The mashbill — 74% corn, 18% rye, and 8% malted barley — leans into that classic high-rye profile that delivers spice alongside sweetness. What separates this expression from standard sourced releases is the barrel selection process overseen by Master Blender Ashley Barnes: every barrel is individually sampled and plotted onto a detailed sensory matrix, scientifically matching complementary flavor profiles before blending. That methodical approach ensures each batch lands with clarity and no muddled competing notes.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with warm caramel and vanilla candy before transitioning into grilled peach and plum. Underneath, layers of toasted oak, nougat, and a dusting of cinnamon spice develop with time in the glass.

Taste: The entry is led by rich caramel and dark fruit — raisin and plum carry through from the nose with real weight. Mid-palate, the 18% rye asserts itself with a robust backbone of cinnamon, clove, and cracked black pepper. Sweet corn, molasses, roasted nuts, and brown sugar round out the peak, giving it a dense, full-bodied character that punches above its proof.

Finish: Long and layered, with rye spice slowly receding into rolling waves of fruit, vanilla, and lingering caramel. The warmth is steady without harshness, and the oak tannins provide just enough grip to keep you reaching for another sip.

How to Drink The Hold Up

At 100 proof, The Hold Up rewards neat pours — the extra proof carries those dark fruit and spice notes without overwhelming the palate. A few drops of water open up the sweeter caramel and nougat qualities for those who prefer a gentler experience. In cocktails, the nine-year maturity and spice-forward profile hold their own:

• Old Fashioned: The caramel-and-cinnamon backbone pairs naturally with bitters and a citrus peel, needing very little additional sweetness.
• Manhattan: The dark fruit and clove spice complement sweet vermouth without being buried by it.
• Boulevardier: The high rye content and 100-proof muscle stand up to Campari's bitterness, while the bourbon's brown sugar notes balance the drink.

Best For

• Gifting a bourbon enthusiast who appreciates sourced whiskey done with transparency and care
• Side-by-side tastings comparing high-rye Kentucky bourbons at the 9-year age mark
• After-dinner sipping alongside dessert or a cigar
• Stocking a home bar with a versatile 100-proof bourbon that works neat or in stirred cocktails

Frequently Asked Questions

What does The Hold Up taste like? The Hold Up delivers a rich, full-bodied profile dominated by caramel, dark fruit (plum, raisin), and pronounced rye spice including cinnamon, clove, and black pepper. Sweetness from brown sugar, molasses, and vanilla candy balances the heat throughout.

How does The Hold Up compare to Knob Creek 9 Year? Both are 100-proof, 9-year-old Kentucky bourbons, but The Hold Up's small-batch sensory-matrix selection process tends to produce more layered dark fruit and nougat complexity, while Knob Creek 9 Year generally leans heavier into nutty oak and caramel. The Hold Up's 74/18/8 mashbill also carries slightly more rye spice than Knob Creek's profile.

Is The Hold Up good for sipping neat? Yes — the 100-proof bottling strength delivers concentrated flavor without harsh alcohol burn, and the nine years of aging provide enough oak structure and fruit depth to reward a slow, contemplative pour.

Where is The Hold Up made? The Hold Up is sourced from an undisclosed Kentucky distillery and bottled at Bardstown Bourbon Company in Bardstown, Kentucky — the heart of bourbon country and home to several major distilling operations.

What foods pair well with The Hold Up? Smoked brisket or pulled pork works well with the bourbon's rye spice and caramel sweetness. Dark chocolate complements the plum and clove notes. Pecan pie mirrors the roasted nut and brown sugar flavors. Aged cheddar or Gruyère provides a savory counterpoint to the fruit-forward profile. Crème brûlée echoes the vanilla and caramel tones in the finish.

What sizes does The Hold Up come in? Lucky Seven The Hold Up 9 Year Bourbon is available in the standard 750ml bottle.

Is The Hold Up worth the price? The Hold Up positions as a mid-premium bourbon — its 9-year age statement, 100-proof bottling, and 92-point Whiskey Advocate score place it competitively against established names like Knob Creek and Russell's Reserve at a similar or slightly higher price point, with the added appeal of a carefully curated small-batch selection process.

Why The Hold Up?

In a crowded field of sourced Kentucky bourbons, The Hold Up earns distinction through Ashley Barnes' sensory-matrix barrel selection — a scientific approach to blending that produces measurably more consistent and complex results than typical small-batch methods. The 92-point Whiskey Advocate score validates what the glass confirms: this is a bourbon where dark fruit, layered spice, and caramel integrate without a single note stepping out of line. At nine years old and 100 proof, it sits in a sweet spot between youthful intensity and mature refinement. For drinkers seeking a Kentucky straight bourbon with genuine depth and a transparent production philosophy, The Hold Up makes a compelling case.