Blade & Bow Stitzel Weller 91 Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (2026) 75cl
In recent years, some of the longest established brands have been catching up to modern times and our likes as bourbon drinkers and have been responding. Introducing....
Blade and Bow Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey uses the Solera System, a unique aging and blending process to preserve the heritage of Stitzel-Weller Distillery by blending bourbon of various ages. A historic method in other categories, it is an uncommon practice found in the bourbon industry.
The beauty is in the blending. Tiered fractional blending allows for a vast range of ages to come together, creating a complex yet approachable liquid, using the best of both the older and newer distillates. The Solera System allows us the opportunity to incorporate bourbon from the Stitzel-Weller Distillery into every bottle. The aromatic brightness of the young shines through the rich character and structure of the older liquid, highlighting the depth of what is possible using the Solera System. Barrels are never fully drained, ensuring this union of ages is ever present in each bottle of Blade and Bow Kentucky Straight Bourbon.
Blade and Bow Kentucky Straight Bourbon is aged in charred American white oak barrels. Not only does Blade and Bow stand out in taste, but our Kentucky Straight Bourbon can be found in a beautiful hexagonal bottle and on the neck one of the five collectable keys that are adorned by hand.
TASTING NOTES
Nose: The nose is light and airy and starts with aromas of peaches, honey, hay, and light oak. These scents are encapsulated within a dose of ethanol, which I wasn’t expecting to be so prominent for a 91 proof bourbon.
Palate: The peaches from the nose carry over and are joined with white pepper, vanilla, oak, and a little grain spice. It’s light and enjoyable with a nice balance of sweet and a dash of spice. The palate makes this really easy to sip on.
Finish: The finish starts with a spurt of light heat up front that mellows into sweeter notes. The fruit flavor and vanilla carry through and mingle with light oak. They’re further joined by a hint of aged leather at the end. These fade leaving just the oak to man the party, which lingers for longer than expected.
About Blade & Bow
The Blade and Bow story began with the founding of the legendary Stitzel-Weller Distillery—the cathedral of bourbon—in 1935, a Louisville icon and home to the fathers of bourbon.
With a commitment to craftsmanship and artistry, Stitzel-Weller reimagined what Kentucky Bourbon could be until distilling stopped in 1992.
Stitzel-Weller is a legendary bourbon distillery founded in 1935 in Shively, Kentucky, known for pioneering high-quality, wheated bourbon and producing iconic brands like W.L. Weller and Old Fitzgerald.
Stitzel-Weller Distillery was established on Derby Day, May 5, 1935, by Julian “Pappy” Van Winkle Sr., Arthur Philip Stitzel, and Alex Farnsley through the merger of W.L. Weller & Sons and the A. Ph. Stitzel Distillery. Both companies had survived Prohibition by selling medicinal whiskey, and the new distillery aimed to redefine Kentucky bourbon with a focus on craftsmanship and artistry. The facility became known for its Old Fitzgerald bourbon, which it acquired from the Old Judge Distillery in 1933.
Stitzel-Weller is renowned for using wheat instead of rye in its mashbill, creating a smoother, sweeter bourbon that stood out from traditional rye-based recipes. The distillery emphasized long aging periods, often over a decade, and maintained a philosophy that distilling was an art, not a science, famously displaying a sign outside stating “no chemists allowed”. Legendary master distillers, including Pappy Van Winkle, personally oversaw production, relying on taste and smell rather than automation.
The distillery produced several iconic bourbon brands, including W.L. Weller, Old Fitzgerald, Rebel Yell, and Cabin Still. Its influence extended to marketing innovations, such as private-label bourbons for Macy’s and Hilton, and it helped popularize wheated bourbon globally. After Pappy Van Winkle’s death in 1965, operations passed to his son, Julian Van Winkle Jr., and the distillery was eventually sold to Norton-Simon in 1972, later becoming part of United Distillers and eventually Diageo
The original distillery ceased production in 1992, but it reopened as a tourism and visitor site in 2014, featuring brands like Blade and Bow, I.W. Harper, and Orphan Barrel. Today, it remains a monument to the fathers of bourbon, offering tours, tastings, and a glimpse into the history of American whiskey craftsmanship.
Stitzel-Weller’s legacy continues to influence modern bourbon, particularly through the Van Winkle family’s ongoing contributions and the enduring popularity of its wheated bourbon style.
45.5% ABV
75cl
