15 STARS announced the fourth release in its acclaimed First West collection: First West Explorer. Joining First West Small Batch, First West Toasted Oak and First West Extra Aged, this new expression represents a defining milestone for the brand as its first with 100% in-house distilled bourbon.

Crafted entirely from 15 STARS distilled whiskey, First West Explorer ($49.99 MSRP / 95 Proof) also debuts the brand’s proprietary baby black corn mashbill, unlocking a richer, more distinctive flavor profile unique to First West Bourbon. 

This unique blend is classified as a four-grain bourbon, featuring rye, wheat and malted barley flavoring grains, but with the addition of both baby black and yellow corn, it more accurately delivers a distinctive five-grain bourbon profile. Aged with intention and refined through the brand’s signature Flavor Proofed process, the result is a bourbon layered with depth, balance, and complexity.

“We’re incredibly excited to introduce our first fully distilled 15 STARS expression, especially as it showcases the very first mashbill we ever produced using our proprietary baby black corn,” Ricky Johnson, co-founder of 15 STARS, said in a news release. “That black corn, paired with wheat as the flavoring grain, creates a bourbon that’s naturally sweet and exceptionally smooth. Blending it with our yellow corn rye bourbon adds another layer of complexity, resulting in a truly distinctive pour.”

Continuing the brand’s tribute to Kentucky and the American frontier as the birthplace of bourbon, First West Explorer is housed in the historic-inspired blue bottle, paying homage to the first glass bottles ever made in Kentucky and used for bourbon. The expression features a blend of Kentucky Straight Bourbons aged five and six years, delivering a richly nuanced pour.

The 15 STARS First West line is available at select retailers nationwide and online at 15STARS.com. 

Read more: 15 STARS Launches New Kentucke County Brand

About 15 STARS Portfolio

15 STARS Fine Aged Bourbon crafts award-winning whiskey from their exclusive and unique high-aged whiskey stocks. Founded by father and son master blenders Rick and Ricky Johnson, the brand has received over 200 of the world’s most coveted whiskey awards including numerous “best in class” recognitions. Always in pursuit of complexity and depth of flavor, 15 STARS distills over a dozen different mash bills in Bardstown, KY, some of which include proprietary heirloom corn varieties (black, red, white, and blue) that the family grows for its specialty popcorn business, Black Jewell Popcorn. The brand name 15 STARS pays homage to Kentucky as the 15th state from Kentucky’s recognition on the second US flag with 15 stars and 15 stripes which was authorized by the US Congress and President George Washington in 1795. For more information, visit 15STARS.com.