Description

Chicken Cock Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Chicken Cock Whiskey traces its origins back to the 1830s in Bourbon County, Kentucky, where farmer and distiller James A. Miller began producing whiskey. By 1856, he had built a dedicated distillery in Paris, KY. After Miller’s death in 1860, his clerk, George G. White, took over operations and began marketing the whiskey under the name “Chicken Cock,” inspired by the proud and defiant symbol of the rooster. Under White’s leadership, the distillery expanded rapidly in the late 1800s, producing thousands of barrels annually. The brand successfully defended its name in an 1889 trademark lawsuit and gained widespread recognition. However, a devastating distillery fire in 1890 led to major financial setbacks. Around the turn of the century, Chicken Cock was absorbed by the Whiskey Trust (Kentucky Distilleries & Warehouse Co.), and production eventually shifted away from its original facility.

During Prohibition, Chicken Cock was one of the few whiskeys legally sold for medicinal purposes and became famous as “the whiskey in a tin can,” especially after being served at Harlem’s iconic Cotton Club, where it was enjoyed by jazz legends like Duke Ellington. After Prohibition, the brand struggled to maintain its former reputation, and by the 1950s, it had faded from the market entirely.

In 2011, entrepreneur Matti Anttila revived the brand after discovering its rich history in museum archives. Initially sourcing aged bourbon while reestablishing operations, the brand partnered with Bardstown Bourbon Company for distillation by 2017. In celebration of its heritage, Chicken Cock released an award-winning 8-year bourbon for its 160th anniversary, earning high accolades across major spirits competitions. In 2024, the brand opened a new experiential visitor site in Bardstown, Kentucky, marking a full-circle return to its historical roots and solidifying its modern comeback.

Chicken Cock Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is a full-bodied bourbon distilled, aged, and bottled in Kentucky. It features a rich mahogany hue and is crafted from a mashbill of 70% corn, 21% rye, and 9% malted barley. Aged a minimum of four years, it offers a nose that balances oak tones with sweet notes of dried fruit, caramel, and vanilla. On the palate, soft oak tannins lead into toasted oak lactones, followed by a creamy, buttery mouthfeel accented with sweet butterscotch. The finish lingers with flavors of vanilla wafer and salted caramel.  It is a refined, approachable bourbon with both character and complexity.

Chicken Cock Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Notes To Your Senses:

• APPEARANCE: Rich mahogany
• AROMA: Balanced oak tones with sweet notes of dried fruit, caramel, and vanilla
• TASTE: Creamy and buttery accented with sweet butterscotch
• FINISH: Lingering with flavors of vanilla wafer and salted caramel
• ABV: 45%