By Richard Thomas
Rating: B+
(Credit: Richard Thomas)
The bourbon negociant 15 Stars has garnered an enviable reputation for a newcomer to store and bar shelves, and making that splash has undoubtedly been a source of relief for the Johnsons (the owners). In 2025, they revamped their First West series as a fully fledged brand of regular release whiskeys.
Briefly, 15 Stars built up their reputation with some very well blended one-shot whiskey releases, and some of those were called First West. They have taken that name and turned into a regular brand extension. For now, this takes the form of a trio: First West Small Batch, First West Toasted Oak and First West Extra Aged. The latter, an eight year old expression, is the top of the trio and what I will address today.
The company has drawn on sourced whiskey, but also has a production contract with Bardstown Bourbon Company (BBCo) since 2021. First West Extra Aged is a blend of eight and nine year old bourbon, so their custom-made whiskey from BBCo cannot be part of it. It has been bottled at 100 proof.
The Bourbon
The look is a light, bright amber. The nose leads with orange peel and cinnamon, going halfway to being the kind of bourbon that smells like Constant Comment tea. However, it’s not nearly that tannic. The oak has just a hint in the nose, and a current of caramel runs straight through it. Halfway to Bigelow Constant Comment is exactly right.
On the palate, that orange aspect becomes full-on marmalade (I had some with my toast this morning, so it’s very present in my memory), accented with vanilla and oak. The finish opens mildly oaky, before taking on a note of cocktail cherry, and that is a genuinely tasteful combination to have on your tongue for as long as it lingers. the only downside, in fact, is that the finish is a bit short.
The Price
Expect to pay $80 a bottle for First West Extra Aged Bourbon.
