15 STARS has unveiled First West Explorer, the fourth release in its First West collection and the first expression made entirely from bourbon distilled at the brand’s own facility in Bardstown, Kentucky. The release, announced on May 27, also marks the debut of the distiller’s proprietary baby black corn mashbill.
First West Explorer joins First West Small Batch, First West Toasted Oak, and First West Extra Aged in the lineup. It carries an MSRP of $49.99 and is bottled at 95 proof.
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The expression is classified as a four-grain bourbon, featuring rye, wheat, and malted barley as flavoring grains. However, the use of both baby black corn and yellow corn delivers what the brand describes as a five-grain bourbon profile.
The blend combines Kentucky Straight Bourbons aged five and six years. It is refined through 15 STARS’ signature Flavor Proofed process.
“We’re incredibly excited to introduce our first fully distilled 15 STARS expression, especially as it showcases the very first mashbill we ever produced using our proprietary baby black corn,” said Ricky Johnson, co-founder of 15 STARS. “That black corn, paired with wheat as the flavoring grain, creates a bourbon that’s naturally sweet and exceptionally smooth.”
Johnson added: “Blending it with our yellow corn rye bourbon adds another layer of complexity, resulting in a truly distinctive pour.”
Official tasting notes from the brand describe the nose as offering “bold sweetness of cherry, banana pudding, vanilla wafers, and meringue contrasted by fresh wood and tobacco.” The palate delivers “a rich mouthfeel with notes of pear, raisin, and sugar mellowed with baking spice, herbal teas, cigar box, and seasoned oak.” The finish features “orange citrus and white pepper, while fresh wood develops into old oaks as the pour sits.”
First West Explorer is housed in the collection’s signature blue bottle, a design the brand says pays homage to the first glass bottles ever made in Kentucky and used for bourbon.
15 STARS distills over a dozen different mashbills at its Bardstown facility, including proprietary heirloom corn varieties such as black, red, white, and blue heritage corns. The brand has accumulated more than 200 whiskey awards, including 33 best-in-class or finalist recognitions.
First West Explorer is available at select retailers nationwide and online at 15STARS.com.
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