Dark Arts 8 Year Old Barley Legal Bourbon Batch 2 Indiana Straight Bourbon Whiskeys (2026) 75cl Sometimes luck and alchemy collide. On Dark Arts’ first barrel tasting and buying trip...
Dark Arts 8 Year Old Barley Legal Bourbon Batch 2 Indiana Straight Bourbon Whiskeys (2026) 75cl
Sometimes luck and alchemy collide. On Dark Arts’ first barrel tasting and buying trip to Indiana, they were introduced to a unique recipe that had yet to reach the market. With a mash bill of 51% corn and 49% rye, Barely Legal Bourbon earns its name by crossing the bourbon threshold by the narrowest of margins. The rye is split between traditional and malted rye, creating layers of spice, depth, and character. From the first taste, we knew we had found something distinctly Dark Arts and worthy of sharing with the world.
Utilizing only two main grain varieties, Dark Arts Barely Legal Bourbon delivers a sip that’s unsurprisingly a balance of sweet and spice.
Their Barely Legal Bourbon is named after the fact that the whiskey just qualifies as a bourbon due to it containing 51% corn, the minimum required to be labeled bourbon.
51% Corn, 39% Rye, 10% Malted Rye
TASTING NOTES
Nose: On the nose, you can detect the delightful aroma of ripe orchard fruits and a gentle infusion of rye spice. There is also a hint of caramelized sugar, a touch of tangy lemon zest, and the comforting scent of graham crackers.
Palate: When you take a sip, you’ll discover the smooth and indulgent taste of honeyed chocolate. There’s a satisfying blend of cherry cola and citrus notes, enhanced by a sprinkle of cinnamon spice.
Finish: As you savor the finish, you’ll experience a rich and buttery mouthfeel. A delightful wave of vanilla, caramel, and fruity flavours lingers on your palate, mingling with the subtle infusion of oak spice.
Awards:
Double Platinum - Ascot Awards (2025) Double Gold - SFWSC (2025) Best American Whiskey: Gold - New Orleans Bourbon Festival (2025)
About Dark Arts Whiskey House
Dark Arts is a blending, rebarreling, and finishing house in downtown Lexington, Kentucky, with a process that is anything but ordinary. Inspired by the alchemists of old, our Master Blenders wield underutilized maturation and blending techniques to transform wood, fire, grain and water into liquid gold. Using equal parts mastery and belief in the unknown, we procure high-quality ingredients, create custom blends, and age them in unconventional barrels to craft unique and elevated whiskeys.
This is more than just whiskey. It’s alchemy; wood, fire, grain and water transformed into liquid gold. Inspired by the alchemists of old, Our Master Blenders take good whiskey and elevate it to extraordinary using equal parts mastery and belief in the unknown. Don’t settle for ordinary. Defy convention and unleash your spirit.
In the heart of the bourbon industry, where tradition and heritage thrive, our founders embarked on a quest for something more. As whiskey enthusiasts, they were excited by the industry's rapid growth but sensed a void—an untapped magic waiting to be unleashed. Their journey began with a revelation: the art of whiskey making is not just science, but an alchemical fusion of flavours and possibilities. Driven by a passion for elevating the role of Master Blenders to artists, prioritizing taste, and defying convention, Dark Arts Whiskey House was born.
The Two Founders: Chief Alchemist is Macaulay Minton, master taster and blender known for bold, sought-after expressions, with a background in microbiology, distillation, and one of the industry’s largest private barrel programs. David Peet David Peet, a seasoned entrepreneur and whiskey enthusiast, founded Dark Arts to bring back exceptional bourbon at a fair value after years of rising prices and dwindling quality.
Macauley Minton into 2026 and beyond continues his quests for interesting wood types, blending & finishing methods and is without doubt continuing his pursuit of this, a future Hall Of Famer for the bourbon industry. Dark Arts continues to be one of the main topics of discussion annually at the Kentucky Bourbon Festival commanding long lines to a stand that is never quiet.
60% ABV
75cl
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