Pie crust | Graham cracker | Allspice | Pipe tobacco | Caramel | Hint of leather

Baking spices | Allspice | Vanilla wafer | Seasoned oak | Caramel | Dense & complex

Cinnamon | Nutmeg | Black pepper | Savory leather | Brown sugar | Lingering sweet-spicy mix

The K.Luke brand was created by husband-wife team Jonathan and Jennifer Maisano and named after their two children, Kaitlyn and Lucas. Since 2014, Jonathan Maisano has selected 350 barrels for his store, Maisano's Fine Wine and Spirits. According to Maisano, during that time, he tasted more than 1,400 barrels and felt like it was finally time to create his own brand based on his skill of picking barrels. He is also a first level certified Sommelier through the Court of Master Sommeliers.

Most of K.Luke whiskeys are blends of whiskeys originating from multiple distilleries and states. The batch 10 blend yielded a total of 1,809 bottles, which is consistent relative to recent batches and over double the yield of the brand’s initial batches, though it’s still a very small yield when compared to many other bourbons.

The fact that the Maisano’s are still relatively new to bourbon production but bring experience to the table is evident with this release, and I mean that in the best way possible. This is not a bourbon that’s disconnected from its audience or one that was just put out to meet a deadline, the attention to detail here is clear, and it shows. There’s a richness to it that kind of surprises you for a lesser known, small batch sourced brand. The bourbon exudes a high degree of complexity, with waves of flavors that include many of my favorites: graham cracker, tobacco, caramel, leather, and a range of spices.

At $110, K.Luke Small Batch Barrel Strength Straight Bourbon isn’t a low-priced purchase by any means, but it could go toe to toe with higher priced more sought after bourbons from Kentucky majors any day in a blind taste test. For bourbon drinkers willing to splurge on a high proof pour, K.Luke Batch 10 delivers.