Chicken Cock Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Review

04/06/23
Chicken Cock Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Review

(photos by Brandon Chesbro: Outsider)

Originally established in 1856 in Paris, Kentucky, Chicken Cock Whiskey earned a reputation far and wide—from California to New York—as the “Famous Old Brand.” But Prohibition plucked the Chicken’s power, and it was sold to a Canadian conglomerate. Later, Chicken Cock was purchased by an American company and sold for medicinal purposes. Unfortunately, even after the repeal of Prohibition in 1933, Chicken Cock never regained its strut. The brand eventually died off in the 1950s.

However, Chicken Cock was resurrected in 2011. And the brand has dropped steady releases since 2017 (sourced from multiple distilleries). As of 2022, Chicken Cock’s flagship bourbon has been distilled by Bardstown Bourbon Company in Bardstown, KY.

Let’s sip this Chicken to see if it cock-a-doodle-doos, because the bottle is absolutely stunning.

At A Glance

  • Company: Grain & Barrel Spirit
  • Distillery: Bardstown Bourbon Company
  • Location: Bardstown, KY
  • Style: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
  • Age: Not Stated
  • Mashbill: 70% corn, 21% rye, 9% malted barley
  • Proof: 90
  • MSRP: $55
  • Website | Insta

Chicken Cock: What We Say

Noselight alcohol, field corn, light caramel, raw leather, mint tea
Palatecaramel popcorn, sweet cinnamon, herbal tea, spearmint
Finishmedium-short, kettle corn, spearmint
What You Can Expect to Pay$55-$70
Buy It: Now, Soon, Later, NeverSoon
Outsider Rating81/100

The nose on Chicken Cock opens with very light alcohol, commensurate with its proof, followed by field corn, like the kind you’d buy to feed deer or wildlife. It’s not overtly sweet (like sweet corn) but definitely corny with a touch of starchy sugar. There’s also a waft of light caramel and raw, newer leather. A deeper nosedive yields unsweetened herbal tea with fresh mint from the garden, just like mom would make in a big jug in the sun on hot summer days. Really enjoyable nose.

On the palate, light caramel and corn are forefront, just like a bag of caramel popcorn. A touch of sweet cinnamon follows, but it’s not hot or spicy. Finally, there’s a note of herbal tea with fresh spearmint (just like from the nose).

The finish is medium-short, with just a bit of lingering kettle corn and mint. The nose and palate are totally in sync for a sweet treat. Personally, I like a little more heat, but this Chicken definitely clucks. And the $60 price tag? It’s a bit high based on just the juice. But, your paying a premium for the stunning glass bottle (and fun name). So yeah, put a bottle of Chicken Cock on the bar.

What Chicken Cock Says About Its Bourbon Whiskey

Distilled, aged, and bottled in Kentucky, Chicken Cock Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey has a rich, elegant mahogany hue; a nose which balances oak tones with sweet notes of dried fruit, caramel, and vanilla; and a palate that opens with soft tannins. A creamy, almost buttery mouthfeel is complemented by butterscotch notes and toasted oak, resolving with a vanilla finish. At 90 proof, there is a slight, welcome bourbon heat. The bourbon is bottled in a replica of the Prohibition-era Chicken Cock bottle.

Sip the Chicken neat for a sweet treat. And here’s a thought. If you’re attending (or hosting) a Kentucky Derby party in May, bring a bottle of Chicken Cock to the shindig. The name is fun. The bottle is stunning. And the Chicken will make a helluva Mint Julep with its sweet notes of corn and spearmint.