Chicken Cock
Chicken Cock is a historic American whiskey brand with roots dating back to the 19th century, originally established in Paris, Kentucky. Known in its early days as 'The Famous Old Bourbon,' the brand became especially notable during the Prohibition era, when its whiskey was reportedly sold in speakeasies including the famous Cotton Club in New York City.
After decades of dormancy, the Chicken Cock name was revived in the modern era, and the brand now offers a range of bourbons and ryes, some featuring its signature tin-wrapped bottles that echo its vintage heritage. The lineup blends traditional Kentucky whiskey character with a story rooted deeply in American drinking history.
Chicken Cock is a historic American whiskey brand with roots dating back to the 19th century, originally established in Paris, Kentucky.
Read more about Chicken Cock
Chicken Cock is a historic American whiskey brand with roots dating back to the 19th century, originally established in Paris, Kentucky. Known in its early days as 'The Famous Old Bourbon,' the brand became especially notable during the Prohibition era, when its whiskey was reportedly sold in speakeasies including the famous Cotton Club in New York City.
After decades of dormancy, the Chicken Cock name was revived in the modern era, and the brand now offers a range of bourbons and ryes, some featuring its signature tin-wrapped bottles that echo its vintage heritage. The lineup blends traditional Kentucky whiskey character with a story rooted deeply in American drinking history.
History and Heritage
Chicken Cock traces its origins to Paris, Kentucky, in the mid-1800s, where it was distilled and marketed under the memorable 'Chicken Cock' name with the tagline 'The Famous Old Bourbon.' The brand built a reputation over the following decades as a recognizable American whiskey.
During Prohibition, Chicken Cock gained a degree of notoriety, with its whiskey said to have been served in illicit venues such as the Cotton Club. Like many pre-Prohibition brands, it faded from prominence after distilling was disrupted, and the label eventually went dormant for much of the 20th century.
In recent years the brand was revived, reintroducing Chicken Cock whiskey to the market. The modern releases lean into the brand's storied past while presenting contemporary bourbon and rye expressions for today's whiskey drinkers.
Range and House Style
The modern Chicken Cock portfolio centers on Kentucky-style bourbon and rye whiskeys. Expressions in the range typically deliver the classic American whiskey profile — notes of caramel, vanilla, oak, and baking spice for the bourbons, with rye releases showing more peppery, spicy character.
Chicken Cock has released a variety of limited and special editions over time, including cask-finished and higher-proof offerings alongside its core whiskeys. Availability of specific expressions can vary, so the collection shown here reflects what we currently have in stock.
A distinctive feature of certain Chicken Cock bottlings is the tin-wrapped presentation, a nod to the brand's vintage packaging that makes it stand out on the shelf and as a gift.
Buying and Serving
When choosing a Chicken Cock whiskey, consider whether you prefer the sweeter, rounder profile of a bourbon or the spicier bite of a rye. Standard-proof expressions are approachable neat or on the rocks, while higher-proof and specialty releases reward slow sipping.
Chicken Cock's bourbons and ryes also work well in classic cocktails. Use the bourbon in an Old Fashioned, Whiskey Sour, or Mint Julep, and reach for the rye when you want extra spice in a Manhattan or Sazerac.
We ship Chicken Cock nationwide where permitted. Browse the current selection above to see the specific expressions available, and check individual product pages for proof, mash details, and tasting notes.