July 16, 2024
By Rebecca Herman McBrayer
Wayne and I visited Old Louisville Whiskey Co as our last stop of a fantastic three-day bourbon experience in the Frankfort, KY area and what a terrific capstone that visit was for our weekend. It was Wayne’s birthday weekend (Feb 22-24) and we had kicked things off with a Bourbon Session at the Ripy Mansion featuring Revival Vintage Spirits. The next day we visited Wild Turkey, where we were able to meet Jimmy Russell. We also made rather quick stops at Lawrenceburg Bourbon Co, Four Roses, Woodford, and Castle & Key. We also enjoyed a private experience with David Meier at Glenns Creek Distilling and a bourbon thieving/blending experience at J. Mattingly 1845. Yes, we were a bit tired but excited about our visit because it had come so highly recommended.
As the name indicates, it is located in Old Louisville. As summarized from their Our Story page, the Old Louisville Whiskey Co. was founded by a husband-and-wife duo, Amine and Beth Karaoud, who are passionate about whiskey and their historic Louisville neighborhood. They sold properties including Red Castle Liquors to invest in their own Kentucky whiskey company. The brand is a labor of love, honoring the neighborhood’s rich history and Kentucky bourbon making tradition. Aged for a minimum of 7 years, their small-batch bourbon is a testament to their commitment to quality over quantity. Each bottle pays tribute to the historic neighborhood, celebrating tradition, history, and family. Supporting this local family-owned business means enjoying a drink that honors tradition and history.
Our Private Tour Experience
They currently offer one tour option – a private tour – described as: Come join us for a one of a kind bourbon tour experience. We will evaluate how bourbons are made and aged and how some are finished to create a one of a kind product. We will experience five different bourbons or whiskeys that we thief straight from the barrel. We will lastly offer the opportunity to bottle your own single barrel bourbon and each bottle will be hand labeled, giving your bourbon our personal touch.
As we followed the GPS, we weren’t sure where it was taking us. As we parked, we knew we were in the correct place based on the door design. We were the only car in the parking lot just before noon on a Saturday morning. We entered and it was quiet and we didn’t see anyone. A moment later, a very nice gentleman came out front to introduce himself. It was Amine, the owner. He apologized for keeping us waiting (it was less than a minute) and said they had quite a private event there the night before. We laughed and shared that we knew something about it from the Facebook posts of one of the Scotchy Bourbon Boys. That seemed to truly break the ice and Amine guided us to the back room. We were chatting and I did not take any pictures to start, but bellow are pictures from their website.
Amine explained the process. They source their whiskey and then focus on time and wood. How long does it need to marry with the wood to have the ideal maturation? Which wood will provide the most unique flavor profile? Should it be aged in one barrel and then finished in another? The options and combinations are endless.
Next, Amine shared the story behind each barrel. One by one we learned about the journey of the whiskey and the barrel(s), and then he thieved a sample for us to experience. This was repeated several times and we enjoyed each one. He even pulled samples from barrels “not quite ready” so we could see the difference. We had a great conversation throughout and could easily see his heart for this process and what was being created.
Ultimately, we selected whiskey from four barrels to be bottled. Amine thieved each one into their bottle and hand-wrote the label and/or details on the bottle. He also signed each bottle for us. It was a wonderful way to wrap up a fabulous three days and we are so grateful that we made the decision to experience Old Louisville Whiskey Co and get to know Amine.
Comparison Tasting of Four Cask Strength Bottles
| Bottle 1 | Bottle 2 | Bottle 3 | Bottle 4 |
| Mashbill: Unknown | Mashbill: 51% Corn, 45% Wheat, 4% Barley | Mashbill: 51% Corn, 49% Barley | Mashbill: 75% Corn, 21% Rye, 4% Barley |
| Proof: 119 | Proof: 116.6 | Proof: 114.2 | Proof: 101 |
| Age: NAS (typically at least 7 years) | Age: Barreled 04/2017, Bottled 02/2024 | Age: NAS (typically at least 7 years) | Age: NAS (typically at least 7 years) Columbian Oak |
| Nose: Wayne > vanilla, caramel, smokey Rebecca > caramel, vanilla, pie cruse, baking spice | Nose: Wayne > wheat, bread like Rebecca > caramel, nuts, cherry, baking spices | Nose: Wayne > nutty, honey Rebecca > vanilla, oats, brown sugar | Nose: Wayne > vanilla cream, butterscotch, ginger Rebecca > caramel, cherry, marshmallow, cinnamon |
| Nose Rank: Wayne > 3 Rebecca > 4 | Nose Rank: *Preferred* Wayne > 2 Rebecca > 2 | Nose Rank: Wayne > 1 Rebecca > 3 | Nose Rank: Wayne > 4 Rebecca > 1 |
| Tasted Neat: Wayne > brown sugar, cinnamon; finish cinnamon and leather Rebecca > caramel, vanilla, pie cruse, baking spice, and oak; finish medium with cinnamon and black pepper | Tasted Neat: Wayne > wheat, cherry, baking spices; finish baking spices and pepper Rebecca > vanilla cream, hazelnut, cherry; finish medium with cinnamon | Tasted Neat: Wayne > nutty, honey, cinnamon; finish black pepper Rebecca > oatmeal with brown sugar, heavy cream, and a touch of cinnamon; finish medium cinnamon and pecan | Tasted Neat: Wayne > smokey, wood, cinnamon; finish light black pepper Rebecca > butterscotch, toasted marshmallow, plum; finish short with oak and nutmeg |
| Taste Rank: Wayne > 2 Rebecca > 3 | Taste Rank: Wayne > 3 Rebecca > 2 | Taste Rank: *Preferred* Wayne > 1 Rebecca > 1 | Taste Rank: Wayne > 4 Rebecca > 4 |
| Other Notes: Great bottle much like many bourbons that we enjoy. | Other Notes: Being wheated, a bit more time might really enhance it. | Other Notes: Very unique taste profile due to the 49% barley. | Other Notes: Perhaps it is the “lower” proof that kept this one from ranking higher. Still a great pour. |
Discussion and Final Notes
As with any tasting, it is strictly opinion on a particular day. We each struggled with determining a ranking because there was something in each batch that we really enjoyed. Ultimately, it came down to what we enjoyed “most” at that moment in time. We could do this again next week or next month and have somewhat different results. This is one of the things that we truly appreciate about bourbon.
After the tasting, we headed to the patio for a cigar. Wayne selected Bottle 3 (51% Corn, 49% Barley) and a La Palina cigar. I selected Bottle 4 (75% Corn, 21% Rye, 4% Barley in Columbian Oak) and an Isla del Sol cigar. We each enjoyed our selections and felt they paired nicely.
We really enjoyed spending the original time with Old Louisville Whiskey Co in February and revisiting “virtually” this past weekend through reminiscing and tasting the Straight Bourbon Whiskey that we purchased. We cannot say enough great things about Amine and what he and his wife are doing in this historic Louisville neighborhood. When you have an opportunity, taste what they are doing – better yet – plan a visit!
Cheers,
Rebecca
Photos by Rebecca Herman McBrayer (unless otherwise indicated)
Make the trip to Old Louisville Whiskey Co. 7.5 miles, less than 15 mins, from downtown Louisville, and a few miles from the Louisville International Airport.
Straight Bourbon Whiskey Spirit Requirements
Bourbon Whiskey – Made in the U.S, distilled at <= 160 proof, barreled at <= 125 proof, aged in new, charred oak containers, bottled at >= 80 proof. Straight bourbon means it is aged at least 2 years (and must have an age statement if less than 4). For additional information on bourbon requirements, please read this post – Bourbon Whiskey.
The bourbons in this review were purchased by us. We were not compensated by the spirit producers for this review. This is simply our opinion based on what we tasted on this day. Please drink responsibly.
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