Earlier this month, we had the pleasure of attending the launch of Kentucky Owl’s new Maighstir Edition just in time for World Whiskey Day, at the special Kentucky Owl Cooking School!

For those that don’t know Kentucky Owl, it is a fast growing UP US Whiskey brand, and in the top 25 of whiskey brands in US. Charles Mortimer Deadman began the brand in the late 19th century and operated until prohibition, when 250 000 gallons were seized. In 2014, it was begun again by Charles’ great-great grandson, Dixon Dedman who worked along Kentucky’s Bourbon Trail, and worked to bring back the brand, which he has done, and it is now operating under Stoli Group, known for producing a popular and high quality product. With a range of options sold, we have experienced a tasting, while also learning about their new limited edition product.

Reinventing traditional whiskey, while paying homage to the centuries-old craft, The Maighstir Edition is a collaboration of premium scotch and bourbon, reinventing the traditional whiskey whilst also acknowledging its origins. Kentucky Owl’s Master Blender, and one of Scotch whiskeys most revered individuals, Maureen Robinson, led us through the bespoke whiskey tasting.

Having Maureen to release this product is fitting since Maighstir translates as ‘Master’ in Gaelic.

With an extensive whisky resume, having been acknowledged in the Whiskey Hall of Fame, it was amazing to learn from Maureen. Her knowledge is just incredible and we could have listened to her for days. She walked us through the history of the product, how it is made, as well as tasting notes, and explaining the difference between scotch whisky and American whiskey and the blends that are possible. It was so great to hear from such a knowledgeable and experienced whiskey distiller.

The different products we tried by Kentucky Owl include:

⁃ Wiseman Rye: 50.4% alc and it is a nice Rye, well balanced, with flavours of 5 spice, root beer and caramel.

⁃ Confiscated bourbon: it pays homage to the barrels of Whiskey seized by the Federal Government before Prohibition with notes of oak, caramel, vanilla, cinnamon banoffee and dark chocolate on the nose. Also, spicy citrus zest on the finish.

⁃ Kentucky Owl: a fruity bouquet of berries, sweet creamy, oily feel in the mouth, 48%, stewed fruits, fresh fruits and liquorice.

⁃ And the new product, the Kentucky owl, maighstir edition: spicy, liquorice, 3 rye 1 wheat, spices, oak, honey, vanilla, citrus, nectarine and pineapple.

Over the course of the tasting, we note our favourites, and it’s all about personal preference, with the group all having the personal favourites, whilst everyone very much enjoying the new special edition product.

Following the whiskey masterclass, we enjoyed a cooking experience at Vive Cooking School in Rosebery’s The Cannery. We used our culinary skills to cook a perfect scotch steak, a great dinner accompaniment to whiskey!

We learnt how to season it, prepare the pan, cook it to the desired level with the following tips:

⁃ Heat the pan, massage the meat with oil and season it with salt, pepper

⁃ Cook for 3 minutes then flip and cook for another minute

⁃ Use a probe to monitor where temp dropping. For a medium steak, you’re looking at 56- 58 degrees

⁃ Pop some butter and herbs in the pan and simmer it slightly

Once it was finished, we served it with beautiful sides; roasted veggies, potatoes, salad and a finishing it off with a lemon meringue tart.

It was a great experience and we thoroughly enjoyed it. For more information, find this extremely limited blend online at boozebud.com RRP $249.90 AUD. 

Thank you to Kentucky Owl, Vive Cooking School and Candid Comms for the invitation to attend.