CALUMET FARM 12 YEAR KENTUCKY STRAIGHT BOURBON WHISKEY
KENTUCKY, USA
For us, the sweet spot for Calumet Farms is their 10-15 Year range, when their bourbons are at their balanced best, and when those gorgeous, deep cherry notes come full forward.
And this 12 Year, from their vaunted Single Rack Black Series, and crafted by Hall of Fame master distiller Steve Nally, is arguably the greatest bourbon yet we've had from them … though, truthfully, we don't think there's much argument.
Made in extremely small batches, and with a production of just 19 barrels, this is a bourbon for all palates and all occasions: one to sip neatly in the small hours and one to break out for parties, one to pour neat in a snifter and one to mix with vermouth and bitters for an absolutely killer Manhattan.
On the nose, the initial hit of vanilla and toasted oak gives way, toward the end, to a light dusting of spice that really primes you for the complexity to come. The palate is as layered as a cake: with notes of caramel, baking spice, and smoky wood, and, of course, and wonderfully — weaving in and out of these — notes of dark cherry, of red licorice, of Swedish Fish. The achievement here is that there is nothing scattershot about any of this. It’s an integrated, dimensional experience.
The 102 proof situates it perfectly for versatility, as a bourbon that’s strong enough to stand alone and deliver a wallop, but that also will play well with others.
Now, a bit of context on the rarity …
The Single Rack Black designation means exactly what it says: bourbons in this series come from a single, hand-selected rack in the ideal maturation spot inside the rickhouse. That is to say: a center cut, where temperature and airflow do the most flattering work. Only 19 barrels make the cut for each release. And every bottle is sequentially numbered.
The mash bill is further testament to the commitment to craft. It’s a high-rye mix: 74% corn, 18% rye, and 8% malted barley.
If you’re curious about the name, the brand pays tribute to the legendary Calumet Farm, the 1,000-acre thoroughbred operation founded in Lexington in 1924 and arguably the most storied horse-racing dynasty in American history.
The whiskey itself isn't distilled at the farm. It's made in partnership with the Bardstown Bourbon Company, where Nally and his team oversee production of some of the best bourbons in the country.
This is an essential add to the bar cart, and one that we’re sure will become a work horse (sorry, couldn’t resist) at all your gatherings to come.
Secure yours today!
*Offer NOT valid in-store. This offer is made pre-arrival, with wines estimated to be delivered to your preferred store in Fall 2026. All sale prices are the lowest available at Total Wine & More and ONLY valid through Concierge Sales. No further discounts or coupons may be applied. The price reflected on your order form is subject to change after the order is placed in the event of a change in tariffs or taxes that are imposed by the U.S. government, or in the case of currency fluctuations of 10% or greater. Offer not valid in KS, MI, NC, NY, TN, VA, & WA. This offer will expire on Sunday, June 21, 2026.