When a true bourbon gem crosses your path, you know it. For those who chase single barrel releases, the thrill is in the find and the pour. Brook Hill Bourbon’s “King’s Leap,” bottled by Rare Character Whiskey Company, is exactly that kind of bottle—a pour that feels like a piece of Kentucky heritage in your glass.
Brook Hill is not a new brand to whiskey historians, but it might be fresh on shelves for modern bourbon fans. Rare Character revived this pre-prohibition label to bring only their finest barrels into the light under the Brook Hill name. “King’s Leap,” single barrel 306, is a shining example of why people whisper about Rare Character releases in hushed tones.
A Legacy Poured into a Glass
Rare Character has a knack for finding barrels that feel timeless. This bottle, one of the first two barrels to hit Massachusetts, shows just how seriously they treat the Brook Hill name. Bottled at a big 129.35 proof and aged a decade in Kentucky, “King’s Leap” is straight Kentucky bourbon through and through—undisclosed mash bill, minimum 51% corn, but you know you’re tasting Kentucky tradition in every sip.
Nose: A Balanced Dance of Sweet and Spice
The first pour brings that rush you hope for when you open something special. Bring the glass to your nose and you’re greeted by caramel chews and the comforting warmth of cinnamon coffee cake. There’s nothing overly sweet or trendy here—no bubblegum or candy corn. This is deep, classic bourbon.
Hints of crushed graham cracker come next, layered gently beneath that spice-forward first impression. The nose feel is soft and creamy, like silk draped over dry cigar leaf and worn leather. Let the glass sit for a bit and you’ll find garden flowers soaked in sun peeking through, reminding you that good bourbon always rewards patience.
A swirl and a deep sniff reveal leather typical of older bourbon barrels—rich, seasoned, and slightly earthy. Coming back after a sip, graham cracker warmth drifts in again, followed by warm hay and the familiar scent of late summer cornfields. As the glass empties, you get fresh coffee bean, nutmeg, and leather again—simple, nostalgic aromas that round out a Kentucky classic.
Palate: Kentucky Roots, Bottle-Proof Power
The first sip makes you pause. You know you’re drinking proper Kentucky bourbon when that rush of spice and warmth holds your tongue and throat in a firm but gentle grip. The texture is full-bodied and viscous, coating your palate with silky caramel and bright vanilla notes that wrap around each other in perfect balance.
The proof shows up but doesn’t bully your taste buds. Instead, it deepens the story: cherry pipe tobacco floats in, followed by a leathery undertone that stays long after you swallow. A hint of crème brûlée sweetness softens the spice edge, and on slow sips you catch dark chocolate, raisin, and roasted cashews—like walking into an old bar lined with polished wood and good memories.
Letting it linger gives you that crackle of shishito peppers on cast iron—hot, buttery, and satisfying. Near the end, you’ll taste something like vintage cola and a whisper of hot tamales. The finish fades slow and steady, like flipping through an old family album.
A Barrel for Collectors and Sippers Alike
Bourbon fans who chase single barrels know the feeling: some bottles get opened for friends; others you tuck away for slow, private evenings. Brook Hill King’s Leap is the latter. It’s priced at $250—a serious number for a serious pour—but there’s no regret when you taste how dialed in it is.
At ten years old, this whiskey has enough maturity to carry bold oak and leather notes, yet there’s still plenty of bright spice and sweet grain to remind you this is a living thing, not just an old relic. The high proof feels earned, not forced—everything here is in balance, a sign of a masterful pick from Rare Character.
Final Thoughts: The Good Old Days in a Bottle
Rare Character has bottled a reminder that great bourbon is more than mash bills and proofs—it’s a feeling. “King’s Leap” is a masterclass in bringing out Kentucky’s best notes: spice, oak, leather, and a swirl of old-time sweetness.
If you find yourself near a store with one of these on the shelf, don’t hesitate. Grab it, open it with respect, and pour it in a proper glass. Let it rest, let it breathe, and take your time. This isn’t a pour for a quick sip before bed. This is a pour for the porch, the campfire, the long talk with an old friend.
Brook Hill Bourbon King’s Leap is a single barrel worth remembering—one that reminds you why Kentucky still holds the crown when it comes to straight bourbon whiskey.
If you’re lucky enough to find bottle 42 of 102, or any bottle from barrel 306, pour a glass and thank Pablo Moix and Rare Character for not keeping it all to themselves.
