Whiskey Row ShippingPort Blended Bourbon 750ML

Whiskey Row ShippingPort Blended Bourbon 750ML is a Kentucky blended bourbon bottled at 88 proof (44% ABV) in a 750ml bottle. What distinguishes this expression is its multi-distillery sourcing approach — each batch draws from barrels produced at four to five different Kentucky distilleries, with every release carrying a unique color-coded strip stamp identifying its specific blend.

Quick Facts: ABV: 44% (88 Proof)  |  Origin: Kentucky, USA  |  Blended Bourbon  |  Blended by Kentucky Artisan Distillery

Production & Heritage

Kentucky Artisan Distillery, located in Crestwood, Kentucky, handles the blending and bottling of ShippingPort. The name itself pays homage to the historic Shippingport neighborhood in Louisville, once a vital port district along the Ohio River and a center of early Kentucky whiskey commerce. Each batch averages roughly 20 barrels selected from four to five different distilleries, and the mashbill always incorporates corn, rye, wheat, and malted barley — a four-grain profile that sets it apart from more conventional two- or three-grain bourbons. Because the blend composition shifts from batch to batch, no two releases taste identical, and the colored strip stamp on each bottle serves as a visual identifier for that particular run.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with vanilla and caramel corn, quickly followed by cinnamon warmth and a thread of bright lemon citrus. Beneath those top notes, subtle brown spice and rye bread emerge as the bourbon opens up in the glass.

Taste: On the palate, caramel sweetness arrives first, meeting baking spices and a gentle citrus acidity at mid-palate that keeps the sweetness in check. The four-grain mashbill adds textural complexity — wheat softens the body while rye delivers a peppery kick. Notes of fine leather and a hint of toffee-like richness develop as the bourbon sits on the tongue.

Finish: The finish is medium in length, drying out with oak tannins, a wisp of smoke, and lingering cinnamon spice. A faint cocoa note, reminiscent of a Tootsie Roll, rounds out the close.

How to Drink ShippingPort

At 88 proof, ShippingPort drinks comfortably neat or with a single ice cube, which opens up the citrus and caramel layers without diluting the spice. Its versatile four-grain profile also makes it a strong cocktail base. An Old Fashioned benefits from the bourbon's inherent caramel-and-citrus balance, requiring minimal sweetener. A Boulevardier pairs well here because the rye spice and leather notes stand up to Campari's bitterness. A Whiskey Sour highlights the natural lemon-citrus character already present in the spirit, creating a cohesive, bright drink.

Best For

• Bourbon enthusiasts exploring multi-distillery blends and batch variation
• Building a comparative tasting flight across different ShippingPort batch stamps
• A home bar bourbon that transitions easily from neat pours to cocktail mixing
• Gifting to someone curious about Kentucky's blending tradition and four-grain mashbills

Frequently Asked Questions

What does ShippingPort taste like? ShippingPort delivers a core of caramel and vanilla layered with baking spices, lemon citrus, and fine leather. The four-grain mashbill gives it a softer body than many rye-heavy bourbons while still carrying noticeable spice.

How does ShippingPort compare to Barrell Bourbon? Both are blended bourbons assembled from barrels sourced across multiple distilleries, but they differ in execution — Barrell Bourbon is typically bottled at cask strength and carries an age statement, while ShippingPort is proofed down to 88 and focuses on its rotating batch-to-batch variation with a consistent four-grain mashbill of corn, rye, wheat, and malted barley.

Is ShippingPort good for sipping neat? Yes — at 88 proof it sits in a comfortable range for neat drinking, delivering enough flavor intensity without excessive alcohol heat, making it approachable for most palates.

Where is ShippingPort made? ShippingPort is blended and bottled by Kentucky Artisan Distillery in Crestwood, Kentucky, using barrels sourced from four to five different Kentucky distilleries per batch.

What foods pair well with ShippingPort? Smoked brisket or pulled pork complements the bourbon's smoky leather notes. Pecan pie or crème brûlée echoes its caramel-vanilla sweetness. Aged cheddar provides a savory contrast to the citrus and spice. Dark chocolate deepens the cocoa undertone found on the finish. Cornbread with honey butter mirrors the caramel-corn character on the nose.

What sizes does ShippingPort come in? The standard release is available in a 750ml bottle.

Is ShippingPort worth the price? ShippingPort positions as an accessible, mid-range bourbon that delivers above-average complexity thanks to its four-grain mashbill and multi-distillery sourcing, offering solid value for drinkers interested in the blended bourbon category without stepping into premium pricing territory.

Why ShippingPort?

The defining feature of this bourbon is its four-grain mashbill — corn, rye, wheat, and malted barley appear in every batch, a broader grain spectrum than most bourbons on the market. The multi-distillery sourcing across approximately 20 barrels per batch introduces genuine batch-to-batch variation, rewarding repeat buyers who track the color-coded strip stamps. This approach to blending recalls an older Kentucky tradition where the blender's palate, not a single distillery's house style, drives the final product. For drinkers who value variety and want to explore how different barrel selections shape flavor within a consistent grain bill, ShippingPort delivers a distinctive proposition in the Kentucky bourbon landscape.