Blade and Bow 22-Year Kentucky Straight Bourbon Review & Tasting Notes (2023)

Stitzel-Weller is akin to the Holy Grail for some whiskey drinkers. What’s that? You’ve not heard of it? No worries; I can tell you all you need to know.

 

Our story began in the pre-Prohibition era when a liquor distributor, W.L. Weller & Sons, officially joined forces with the A. Ph. Stitzel Distillery. They formed the Stitzel-Weller Distilling Company in 1935. As you probably know, Prohibition had just ended by then, and distilleries were slowly returning to life.

 

Except during Prohibition, Weller and Stitzel had already been working together; they possessed a medicinal license to sell spirits and were one of the few distributors left. As such, their task was slightly less daunting.

 

The Stitzel Weller Distillery, popularly known as Old Fitzgerald Distillery, was built by Julian “Pappy” Van Winkle, Sr., Arthur Phillip Stitzel, and Alex T. Farnsley. Six years into the operation, Farnsley died. Six years beyond that, Stitzel passed away, leaving Van Winkle to run things.

 

Julian Van Winkle, Jr. took the helm when his father perished in 1965. Then, in 1972, Van Winkle sold the Stitzel-Weller Distillery to Norton-Simon. Part of the deal included Julian’s continued access to the very old stocks in inventory and to keep the Van Winkle brand alive. Norton-Simon legally changed the distillery’s name to its popular one.

 

Due to mergers and acquisitions, the distillery changed hands (Somerset Imports, Distillers Corporation Ltd, Guinness PLC, and United Distillers). As what often happens, house brands were sold off, notably to Heaven Hill and Buffalo Trace. The distillery ceased distilling operations in 1992, although the rickhouses still held liquid gold. While everything was on hiatus, United Distillers changed the name back to Stitzel-Weller Distillery. In 1997, United Distillers became Diageo. The distillery resumed operations in 2014.

 

Today, I’m exploring Blade and Bow 22-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon. It was aged and bottled at the Stitzel-Weller Distillery. Its name is a tribute to the five brass keys left hanging on the distillery’s doors before it reopened. Blade and Bow has a Kentucky Straight Bourbon that utilizes a solera method to incorporate tanked Stitzel-Weller whiskey with what was distilled more recently from multiple sources. The 22-year expression is not procured in the same manner.

 

Considering that any remaining unblended stocks of Stitzel-Weller are nearly depleted and that the distillery wasn’t operational 22 years ago, a reasonable question is, Is this Stitzel-Weller distillate?   I asked my contact if this was indeed Stitzel-Weller’s Bourbon or if it was Stitzel-Weller-like. The answer I received was:

 

Blade and Bow 22-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is a limited and rare release whiskey that pays homage to the artful passion and renowned craftsmanship of the legendary Stitzel-Weller Distillery. A small amount of this whiskey is released each year from Stitzel-Weller, the historic distillery that now serves as the home to a number of high-quality whiskeys.

 

Who is responsible for the majority of this 22-year-old Bourbon? Your guess is as good as anyone’s; I won’t even hazard one. Diageo is keeping that card close to its vest.

 

This annual release from Blade and Bow coincides with Bourbon Heritage Month. To obtain a bottle, you’ll need about $550.00 and be at either one of the few select retailers, the Stitzel-Weller Distillery or Garden & Gun Club at the distillery in Louisville. It is packaged at 46% ABV (92°), and I’m stunned they’re selling it in 750ml bottles.

 

Diageo was kind enough to send me a sample of Blade and Bow 22 in exchange for my no-strings-attached, honest review. In full disclosure, I’m excited as hell to try this. I’ll try not to let it impact my review.

 

I will also state that my Bottle, Bar, or Bust rating will not include the value statement. I’m assuming by the time you read this and find a bottle, it is priced way beyond the $550.00 mark. While I don’t subscribe to or approve of the secondary market, my guess is that’s where most folks will find it.

 

Let’s #DrinkCurious and see how well the hype matches my palate.

 

Appearance: I sipped this Bourbon neat from my Glencairn glass. As you’d likely imagine, the whiskey was a deep caramel color. The medium-weighted rim discharged thick, fast tears.

 

Nose:  While many whiskeys release an aroma while breathing in my glass, this was not the case with Blade and Bow 22. But, when I brought the glass to just under my nostrils, I smelled apricots, figs, cherries, and crème brulee. I encountered thick, heavy caramel when I parted my lips and drew the vapor inside.  

 

Palate: The texture was thin and slick. At first, I tasted nutmeg, toasted oak, and black cherries. As it crossed the middle of my palate, I found crème brulee, old leather, and orange peel. The back featured brown sugar, rye spice, and white pepper.  

 

Finish: The white pepper dies out quickly and clears the way for crème brulee, leather, tobacco, and cherries. The duration is medium with a slow fall-off of flavors, with the tobacco clinging at the end.

 

Bottle, Bar, or Bust: I understand that with such limited quantities of any 22-year Bourbon, it must be proofed down to make it last. I would have loved to taste this at perhaps eight proof points higher. It could have used some more oomph. This is a common complaint I have with several ancient, proofed-down Bourbons (Elijah Craig 18 immediately comes to mind). I wanted more oak.

 

Despite my nitpicking, Blade and Bow 22 is a tasty pour. It is one of those once-in-a-blue-moon whiskeys you must experience, given the opportunity. Would I drink this again? Yes. Am I sad that I only have about 20ml of it left? Also yes. And that means Blade and Bow 22 earns a Bottle rating. Cheers!

 

My Simple, Easy-to-Understand Rating System

• Bottle = Buy It
• Bar = Try It
• Bust = Leave It

 

Whiskeyfellow encourages you to enjoy your whiskey as you see fit but begs you to do so responsibly.