Augusta Distillery of Augusta, Kentucky, will officially launch Buckner’s 17, the newest bourbon in its award-winning Buckner’s series, during the distillery’s June 15 event: Buckner’s, BBQ and Bluegrass. Guests will be among the first to purchase bottles of the 17-year-old, unfiltered bourbon (retail price: $399.99) while enjoying homestyle barbecue from regional favorite Rescue BBQ and the musical stylings of Slippery Creek Band.
In addition, Alex Castle—Augusta Distillery’s first master distiller—will guide an exclusive tasting experience and distillery tour one day ahead of the official Buckner’s 17 release on June 14. She will lead two tastings, at 3:30 p.m. and 5 p.m., that include all four Buckner’s expressions—10, 13, 15 and 17—a commemorative bottle of Buckner’s 17 and choice of tulip, rocks or Glencairn glassware. A limited number of tickets for Castle’s behind-the-scenes tasting are available at AugustaKYDistillery.com for $699.
“Buckner’s 17 has had a lot of craft and care poured into it, and we are excited to finally give our fellow bourbon lovers a taste,” said Ryan Edwards, president of Augusta Distillery. He notes the bourbon is the highly anticipated follow-up to its award-winning brothers, Buckner’s 15 and Buckner’s 13, the latter of which was named World’s Best Bourbon in the San Francisco World Spirits Competition (2023). “This event is not just an opportunity to try some quality bourbon, but also for the public to get to know us.”
Buckner’s 17 is a single-barrel, cask-strength, unfiltered bourbon that has matured for 17 years, creating a rich amber hue, complex combination of smokey flavors, and notes of honeyed vanilla, caramel and buttery cream on the finish.
Buckner’s, BBQ and Bluegrass is open to the public on June 15, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Normal distillery retail sales, operations and tours will be available throughout the day, as well. Tickets for the private tasting with Castle will be held, June 14 at 3:30 p.m. and 5 p.m., are limited and can be found on Augusta Distillery’s website here.