Old Louisville 9-Year Bourbon
Overall Score: 7.75/10
Overall Value: 3.25/5
Distillery: Old Louisville (Sourced)
Classification: Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Company: Old Louisville Whiskey
Release Date: 2026
Proof: 124.4
Age: 9-Years
Mashbill: Undisclosed
Color: Amber
MSRP: $100 (2026)
The Barrel Bros’ Review
The nose on this Old Louisville 9-Year single barrel bourbon opens with a base of vanilla pudding and sweet aged oak, quickly layering in a candy shop profile. You’ll find notes of Cotton Candy, Banana Runts, and chocolate-covered cherries — even a fun Vanilla Cherry Coke vibe and a hint of citrus.
On the palate, expect a heavy presence of caramel, honey, and salt water taffy, balanced by a unique strawberry cremesaver note and plenty of chocolate. There’s a solid amount of oak without being overbearing, making for a very easy-to-like, sweet, and approachable experience.
Unfortunately, the finish is where the momentum stalls. After such a punchy start, the sweetness tends to disappear rather quickly. What remains is a dry, slightly numbing oak sensation and a hint of brown sugar that feels a bit thin. It’s a bit of a letdown compared to the great nose and palate, leaving the experience on a somewhat muted note.
The Old Louisville is a bit of a head-scratcher. While the first two-thirds of the pour are great, the underwhelming finish makes the $100 MSRP a tough pill to swallow for some drinkers. It’s a solid, high-quality bourbon that you’ll definitely enjoy if a friend pours you a glass, but at this price point—and considering you’re unlikely to find it on sale—you might find yourself wishing for just a bit more on the experience. Still, for those who prioritize a rich, candy-forward profile and a great nose, it remains a bottle worth experiencing.
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: 8/10
Value: 3.5/5
THE NOSE:
The nose is very sweet. I get notes of rich vanilla pudding, Cotton Candy fruitiness, and sweet aged oak.
It’s subtle but I also got a bit of citrus and nuttiness. The nose is rich, full bodied, and delightful.
I was almost sad to move on from it.
THE TASTE:
The mouthfeel is juicy and oily.
I get caramel, salt water taffy, and strawberry cremesavers.
Maybe even a little bit of a butter flavor, but it could just be that it’s very rich.
THE FINISH:
I’ll be honest the finish kinda just disappeared for me… I was expecting a lot of those punchy rich profiles to carry over but they really didn't.
Even the sweetness really dies out.
Mostly what I’m left with is like brown sugar that has lost its flavor and is a bit dry.
BUY OR PASS?
The nose and the taste on this pour were exceptional, and then the finish was kinda exceptionally lacking. I was hoping this was going to be a knockout but I cant put it in that category.
I do still think it's at least deserving of the price point that it's at, and I did really enjoy it.
The Hunter Says
Score: 7.5/10
Value: 3/5
THE NOSE:
This has a really cool mix going on.
It smells just like a Vanilla Cherry Coke, mixed with some dry oak.
I also picked up that specific Banana Runts candy scent and some chocolate-covered cherries.
It’s definitely a fun one to nose.
THE TASTE:
It’s very sweet and easy to like. You get plenty of honey, vanilla, and chocolate.
There’s a solid amount of oak in there too, but it doesn't take over the show.
It’s not the most complex bourbon I’ve ever had, but it’s definitely an enjoyable sip.
THE FINISH:
This is where it loses me a little. The oak sticks around and leaves the mouth feeling dry and a bit numb.
Usually, when a finish dries out my palate like that, it’s a bit of a letdown.
BUY OR PASS?
This is a tough bottle to rank. It’s "pretty good," but "pretty good" is a hard pill to swallow when you’re dropping $100 on a single barrel. If you spent your own money on this, you might feel a little bit of buyer's remorse.
On the other hand, if a buddy poured you a glass, you’d definitely enjoy drinking it. It’s a solid bourbon, but it’s just not the kind of bottle you’re going to call your friends to brag about finding.
