1792 Bourbon
1792 Bourbon is a small-batch Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey produced at the Barton 1792 Distillery in Bardstown, Kentucky. The brand takes its name from 1792, the year Kentucky was admitted to the Union as the 15th state, tying its identity directly to the state's long tradition of bourbon-making.
Now owned by the Sazerac Company, 1792 has grown from a single flagship expression into a broader lineup that includes higher-proof, single-barrel, and limited annual releases. The bourbons are known for a distinctive rye-forward mash bill that gives them a spicier, more assertive character than many sweeter, corn-heavy competitors.
1792 Bourbon is a small-batch Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey produced at the Barton 1792 Distillery in Bardstown, Kentucky.
Read more about 1792 Bourbon
1792 Bourbon is a small-batch Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey produced at the Barton 1792 Distillery in Bardstown, Kentucky. The brand takes its name from 1792, the year Kentucky was admitted to the Union as the 15th state, tying its identity directly to the state's long tradition of bourbon-making.
Now owned by the Sazerac Company, 1792 has grown from a single flagship expression into a broader lineup that includes higher-proof, single-barrel, and limited annual releases. The bourbons are known for a distinctive rye-forward mash bill that gives them a spicier, more assertive character than many sweeter, corn-heavy competitors.
History and the Barton 1792 Distillery
The Barton 1792 Distillery in Bardstown is one of Kentucky's oldest continuously operating distilleries, with roots in the town often called the 'Bourbon Capital of the World.' The 1792 brand itself was launched in the early 2000s and was originally marketed as a bottled-in-bond style small batch before evolving into the small-batch flagship known today.
The distillery and brand became part of the Sazerac Company, a New Orleans-based, family-owned spirits company that also owns brands such as Buffalo Trace. Under Sazerac's ownership, 1792 expanded its portfolio while continuing to source, distill, age, and bottle at the Bardstown facility.
Bardstown's climate, with its hot summers and cold winters, drives the temperature swings that push whiskey in and out of the charred oak barrels during aging, contributing to color and flavor development in the finished bourbon.
House Style and Production
1792 is built around a rye-forward mash bill, meaning the recipe uses a comparatively higher proportion of rye grain alongside corn and malted barley. This gives the bourbons a signature spicy, peppery backbone balanced by caramel, vanilla, and oak from barrel aging.
The whiskey is a Kentucky straight bourbon, meaning it is aged in new charred oak barrels for the required minimum period and meets the legal standards for straight bourbon. Small-batch bottling involves mingling a selected group of barrels to achieve a consistent flavor profile.
Tasting notes across the range commonly include brown sugar, dried fruit, black pepper, toffee, and toasted oak, with higher-proof expressions delivering a bolder, more concentrated experience.
The Range and What to Expect
The flagship 1792 Small Batch is the everyday expression, typically bottled at 93.7 proof, offering an approachable but spice-driven profile suited to sipping and cocktails alike. Beyond the core release, 1792 offers several premium and specialty bottlings.
Notable expressions include 1792 Full Proof (bottled at 125 proof, a bold barrel-entry-proof release), 1792 Single Barrel (each bottle drawn from one hand-selected barrel), 1792 Bottled in Bond (100 proof, meeting bottled-in-bond legal requirements), and 1792 Small Batch. The brand also periodically issues limited annual releases such as Sweet Wheat, High Rye, and Aged Twelve Years, though availability varies by year and region.
When buying, consider proof and intended use: the Small Batch is versatile and cocktail-friendly, while Full Proof and Single Barrel appeal to enthusiasts seeking intensity and barrel-to-barrel character. Limited releases are produced in smaller quantities and tend to sell out quickly.