Chicken Cock Bourbon 750ML

Chicken Cock Bourbon 750ML is a 90-proof (45% ABV) Kentucky Straight Bourbon whiskey with deep Prohibition-era roots and a Double Gold medal from the New York International Spirits Competition. Revived by Grain & Barrel Spirits and distilled at Bardstown Bourbon Company under Master Distiller Gregg Snyder, this expression carries one of American whiskey's most storied brand names back into the modern market.

Quick Facts: ABV: 45% (90 Proof)  |  Origin: Paris, Bourbon County, Kentucky  |  Kentucky Straight Bourbon  |  Distillery: Bardstown Bourbon Company

Production & Heritage

The Chicken Cock brand dates to the 19th century and became legendary during Prohibition, when it was smuggled across the Canadian border concealed in tin cans — earning the nickname "the whiskey in a tin can" — and poured at iconic speakeasies like Harlem's Cotton Club. Today the bourbon is produced through Bardstown Bourbon Company's collaborative distilling program in partnership with Grain & Barrel Spirits, headquartered in Paris, Kentucky, in the heart of Bourbon County. The mashbill runs 70% corn, 21% rye, and 9% malted barley, and every step of the process is supervised by Chicken Cock Master Distiller Gregg Snyder to maintain a traditional Kentucky bourbon profile with a meaningful rye backbone.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Heavy corn sweetness opens first, then gives way to vanilla, lemon curd, and summer flowers. A thread of light toasted oak and graham cracker runs underneath, adding warmth without dominating the nose.

Taste: Caramel apple and prominent baking spices land immediately on entry, building a rich, approachable base. At mid-palate, graham cracker and stone fruit emerge alongside vanilla and a gentle layer of dry toasted oak. The rye content provides just enough structure to keep the sweetness honest.

Finish: Medium-long and warm, with caramel sweetness that gradually dissolves in a clean, satisfying arc. A final flicker of black pepper closes things out, leaving a balanced, slightly spiced impression.

How to Drink Chicken Cock Bourbon

At 90 proof, this bourbon works well neat or with a single large ice cube that slowly opens the stone fruit and vanilla notes without diluting them too quickly. In cocktails, the caramel-forward profile and rye spice give it versatility: try it in an Old Fashioned, where the baking-spice backbone stands up to bitters and sugar; a Bourbon Smash, where lemon and mint amplify the citrus curd and floral notes already in the spirit; or a Paper Plane, where its sweetness balances the bitter Amaro and tart Aperol components.

Best For

• Whiskey history enthusiasts drawn to Prohibition-era brands
• Building a home bourbon bar with a classic Kentucky straight expression
• Hosting a bourbon tasting flight alongside other Bardstown Bourbon Company collaborations
• Gifting someone who appreciates heritage American whiskey with a conversation-starter label

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Chicken Cock Bourbon taste like? It leads with caramel apple and baking spices, transitions through graham cracker and stone fruit at mid-palate, and finishes with warm vanilla and a touch of black pepper. The overall impression is sweet, approachable, and traditionally Kentuckian.

How does Chicken Cock Bourbon compare to Wild Turkey 101? Both are traditional Kentucky bourbons with corn-forward sweetness and rye spice, but Wild Turkey 101 is bottled at a higher 101 proof and leans heavier into baking spice and char. Chicken Cock Bourbon is slightly softer at 90 proof, with more pronounced caramel and stone fruit character.

Is Chicken Cock Bourbon good for sipping neat? Yes — the 90-proof strength is approachable enough for neat sipping without being thin, and the balanced sweetness and medium-long finish reward slow drinking.

Where is Chicken Cock Bourbon made? It is produced at Bardstown Bourbon Company in Bardstown, Kentucky, through a collaborative distilling partnership with Grain & Barrel Spirits, which is based in Paris, Kentucky, in historic Bourbon County.

What foods pair well with Chicken Cock Bourbon? Smoked pork ribs complement the caramel and oak notes; aged cheddar mirrors the bourbon's richness; pecan pie echoes its corn-driven sweetness; dark chocolate with sea salt bridges the baking spice and vanilla; and cornbread with honey butter highlights the grain character of the mashbill.

What sizes does Chicken Cock Bourbon come in? The standard release is available in a 750ml bottle.

Is Chicken Cock Bourbon worth the price? It positions as a mid-range Kentucky Straight Bourbon, competing in the same bracket as 1792 Small Batch and Elijah Craig Small Batch — a solid value for a Double Gold medal winner with genuine historical provenance.

Why Chicken Cock Bourbon?

Few bourbon brands carry a backstory as vivid as Chicken Cock's Prohibition-era smuggling history and its place on the bar at the Cotton Club. The modern revival is more than nostalgia, though — the 70/21/9 mashbill distilled at Bardstown Bourbon Company under Gregg Snyder's supervision delivers a genuinely well-made Kentucky straight bourbon that earned a Double Gold at the New York International Spirits Competition. In a crowded field of heritage-label relaunches, this one backs up the legend with liquid that stands on its own against established flagship bourbons in its price tier.