Sips & Sites & Bites

If you’re a fan of bourbon that tells a story with every sip, 15 STARS just dropped something worth hunting down. The Bardstown-based brand has released its newest expression, Artisan Collection, and it’s already making waves. With only 1,290 bottles in the run, this limited-edition blend is crafted for collectors, connoisseurs, and anyone who appreciates a pour with both age and artistry.

The Artisan Collection brings together straight bourbons aged 15 and 12 years, sourced from Kentucky and Indiana. That’s no small feat, and the result speaks for itself. At the Spring 2025 John Barleycorn Awards, this whiskey was crowned Best Bourbon, a recognition that highlights the meticulous blending and what the brand calls “Flavor Proofing” … a technique designed to dial in balance and depth at just the right proof.

So, what’s in the glass? Bottled at 109 proof, the nose greets you with sweet maple and caramel before unfolding into a basket of dried fruit … think orange citrus, black cherry, plum, and apple. It doesn’t stop there; notes of nutmeg, cracked pepper, tobacco, and oak cut through the sweetness, giving it complexity and intrigue.

On the palate, caramel and vanilla step forward first, followed by bold oak and old leather … reminders of the whiskey’s long rest in barrel. Dark fruit tones of prune, raisin, and plum emerge next, layering richness with every sip. The finish lingers with plum, caramel, dark chocolate, roasted nuts, oak, and leather. It’s a journey from start to finish, the kind of pour that rewards you for slowing down.

Co-founder Ricky Johnson describes it best: “The bourbon’s mashbill contains a high corn content, which gives the liquid a dessert sweetness. The sweetness helps to seamlessly balance the oak notes that come with the high age statement.” And that’s exactly what you’ll find, a harmony between richness and maturity.

Retailing at $179, the Artisan Collection is positioned as a premium bottle, but for those who prize craftsmanship and limited releases, it may be worth the splurge. You can find it at select retailers nationwide, online at 15STARS.com, or if you’re lucky, during the Kentucky Bourbon Festival where it made its debut.

In a world full of new bourbon releases, the Artisan Collection stands out as a thoughtfully blended, award-winning whiskey that feels both classic and modern. If you see one of those 1,290 bottles, consider it your invitation to sip a little piece of bourbon artistry.