15 STARS bourbon announced First West, a line extension for the brand featuring three distinctive bourbon expressions: Small Batch, Toasted Oak, and Extra Aged 8-Year-Old Bourbon Whiskey. 

15 STARS First West honors Kentucky as the birthplace of bourbon, blending heritage, and craftsmanship with innovation. From bottle designs inspired by the first bottles crafted in Kentucky and used for whiskey, to Flavor Proofed liquid crafted for optimal taste, the new line welcomes consumers to embark on a journey of discovery, alongside both the early pioneers of Kentucky and today’s bourbon innovators.

The Small Batch and Toasted Oak releases use an aged blend of 5, 6 and 7-year-old Kentucky bourbons, including proprietary red, white, and blue heritage corn in the blend to elevate flavor. This marks the first time 15 STARS is using its own distillate in a blend, presenting richness and character to the expressions. 

The Extra Aged 8-year-old release is extra aged for added complexity with a blend of Kentucky bourbons at 8 & 9 years. Beginning now, 15 STARS First West is available at select retailers nationwide and online at 15STARS.com. 

“Our goal with 15 STARS First West was to create the same high-quality, award-winning whiskey at an approachable cost to our consumers,” Ricky Johnson, co-founder of 15 STARS, said in a news release. “In place of double digit age statements seen with 15 STARS, we are able to bring extra flavors into the First West lineup with our heritage grains and continue to use our process of Flavor Proofing™ to create never before crafted blends.”

• First West Small Batch – Aged 5, 6, and 7 years ($59.99 MSRP / 102 Proof)
• First West Toasted Oak – Aged 5, 6, and 7 years ($69.99 MSRP / 98 Proof)
• First West Extra Aged – Aged 8 and 9 years ($79.99 MSRP / 100 Proof)

“We want to capture the spirit of early Kentucky with its epic story of adventure and discovery, in our bourbon,” Johnson added. “Bourbon collectors and connoisseurs are invited to explore new territories in bourbon, expand their palate with flavor proofing, explore heirloom corns, and celebrate the home of bourbon!” 

Read more: 15 Stars Releases Founders Reserve Fine Aged Rye

About 15 STARS

15 STARS Fine Aged Bourbon crafts award-winning whiskey from their exclusive high-aged whiskey stocks through blending. Founded by father and son blenders Rick and Ricky Johnson, 15 STARS distills over a dozen different whiskey mash bills in Bardstown, KY, some of which include proprietary heirloom corn varieties (black, red, white, and blue) that the family grows for its gourmet specialty popcorn business, Black Jewell Popcorn. The name 15 STARS pays homage to Kentucky as the 15th state with Kentucky’s recognition on the second US flag with 15 stars and 15 stripes and was authorized by President George Washington in 1795. For more information, visit https://15stars.com/.