Lost Lantern Single Cask Series Kings County Distillery New York Straight Rye Whiskey The Prime Barrel Pick #119

One of the biggest differentiators of our club is our willingness to take a chance on something completely out of left field or an intriguing experiment. Recently, we stumbled upon not one, not two, but three separate Kings County Empire Rye barrels. Two are 53-gallon barrels, and one is a 15-gallon barrel. This experiment is interesting because 53-gallon barrels are relatively new to Kings County, and their profile vastly differs from their 15-gallon counterparts. So, what does that mean?

This 15-gallon barrel is right within the profile that diehard Kings County fans know and love—dark, bold, and flavorful. We’re talking rich oak, well-developed spice, brown butter, and a hint of cherry.

On the other hand, the 53-gallon barrels are entirely different—beautiful, but in their way. What stands out is a unique butterscotch note I’ve never tasted in any previous Kings County products. The rye is gentler and more refined, and honestly if you’ve been put off by Kings County’s bolder profile before, this might be right up your alley. One would be forgiven if one would confuse one of these ryes for a bourbon. One of the 53-gallon barrels is sweet, with molasses, brown sugar, and that same butterscotch note—it drinks dangerously smooth for its proof. The second one has a more pronounced cherry note—if you like E.H. Taylor Rye, this one will be a hit. Honestly, I like this version of Kings County better than E.H. Taylor. We loved them so much we couldn’t choose—so we committed to both.

Now, you might wonder, “Do we need three different versions of Kings County Rye?” The answer is, "Absolutely!" Each one is distinct in more ways than one—including their presentation (no spoilers yet!). 

Pick this one up and compare it to the other KCD Rye we have recently launched. Then, see how different two rye whiskies from the same producer can be.