Lux Row 12-Year
Overall Score: 8.75/10
Overall Value: 3.5/5
Distillery: Undisclosed
Classification: Straight Bourbon
Company: Lux Row Distillers
Release Date: Ongoing
Proof: 118.4
Age: 12 years
Mashbill: Undisclosed
Color: Dark Chestnut
MSRP: $190 (2023)
The Barrel Bros’ Review
The nose of the Lux Row 12-year brings a rich and layered sweetness. There’s browned butter, strawberry jam, and fig newtons mixed with deeper notes of grape and blackberry. It balances between fruity brightness and rich dessert tones like chocolate, vanilla, nougat, and even a candy bar sweetness. A touch of nuttiness and oak rounds things out, while a faint earthy note—like the woods after rain—adds depth.
The mouthfeel is rich and oily, almost like olive oil, coating the tongue. Classic bourbon flavors—caramel, honey, and maple syrup—show up strong, backed by raisin and fig sweetness. Cherry and berry fruit notes add brightness, while a subtle nuttiness hints at peanut butter. The proof is noticeable, delivering a satisfying punch, but it never feels overwhelming.
The finish is long, sweet, and evolving. Fruity fig and raisin linger with chocolate and nougat candy bar notes, eventually giving way to light oak, cinnamon, and leather. It stays pleasant, never bitter, and holds onto that sweet character deep into the aftertaste.
Lux Row 12-Year is an excellent bourbon that delivers a dessert-like profile without losing balance. Its combination of syrupy fruit, nutty richness, and candy sweetness makes it stand out, and the high proof ensures a bold experience.
In terms of quality, it can easily stand alongside heavy hitters like Elijah Craig Barrel Proof or Stagg. While availability is limited, if you see it at MSRP—or especially on sale—it’s absolutely worth the price.
If you’re looking for specific notes from our Barrel Bros, read their individual reviews below!
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Individual Reviews
The Rye Guy Says
Score: 9/10
Value: 3/5
THE NOSE:
The nose has a richness to it like browned butter, and a bit of fruitiness similar to strawberry jam or fig newtons.
It has a really sweet presence that is very syrupy and perhaps a bit nutty.
I get this pleasant memory of the smell of the woods after a light rain.
THE TASTE:
The mouthfeel is like a juicy olive oil. The palate tastes like Sunburst Raisins drizzled with maple syrup.
I do get a small bit of nuttiness, like rich peanut butter. There is a small bit of alcohol bite but only enough to remind you of the proof.
I also get sweet fig moving into the finish.
THE FINISH:
The finish is sweet fig and a bit of leather.
Milky way candy bar. It really sits in the mouth and develops a bit of a cinnamon profile.
Just lovely stuff.
BUY OR PASS?
This really reminds me of my favorite Rye whiskeys, so I wouldn’t be surprised if one of the barrels they blended was one. The flavors are all just my favorite, and the experience of finding it and knowing it’s only available at the distillery is a bonus.
This bottle was a fun part of our whiskey trip to Kentucky and holds a special place in my heart. So it’s fair to say I may be a bit biased, but even so it’s still a great pour.
The Hunter Says
Score: 8.5/10
Value: 4/5
THE NOSE:
This one kicks off with a bold wave of grape and blackberry — sweet and fruity. Think Pixy Stix-level sugar, but balanced.
After a few sniffs, the oak finally shows up, though it doesn’t overpower anything.
Deeper in, you start getting rich dessert notes like chocolate, vanilla, and even the nougat center of a 3 Musketeers bar.
THE TASTE:
It lands super sweet on the tongue — in a good way.
Classic bourbon flavors like caramel and honey come through strong, boosted by the high proof and age.
There’s a subtle fruitiness that’s hard to name, but it adds a nice layer. The profile doesn’t shift much, but what it delivers is rock solid.
THE FINISH:
The sweetness hangs out for a long time, which I love.
After about half a minute, some oak starts to show up, but not enough to ruin the vibe.
It stays pleasant and never turns bitter.
BUY OR PASS?
This is an excellent pour — one of the best I’ve had. It easily holds its own against top-tier bottles like Elijah Craig Barrel Proof and Stagg.
The only downside? At 118+ proof, you probably can’t drink it all night unless you’re okay with paying for it the next morning.
