Compare
1792 Small Batch vs Kentucky Owl Batch 12
Comparing 1792 Small Batch and Kentucky Owl Batch 12 reveals a matchup between a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple and an uncut, cask-strength bruiser.
Key Specifications
| Feature | 1792 Small Batch | Kentucky Owl Batch 12 |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 93.7 proof (46.9% ABV) | 115.8 proof (57.9% ABV) +22 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$26 – $34 ~$320 less | ~$300 – $400 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Limited |
- 1792 Small Batch and Kentucky Owl Batch 12 do not publish an official mash bill.
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
1792 Small Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Kentucky Owl Batch 12
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
1792 Small Batch Kentucky Owl Batch 12
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 6/8 oak: 1792 Small Batch 6 out of 10, Kentucky Owl Batch 12 8 out of 10
heat 5/7 heat: 1792 Small Batch 5 out of 10, Kentucky Owl Batch 12 7 out of 10
fruit 5/4 fruit: 1792 Small Batch 5 out of 10, Kentucky Owl Batch 12 4 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: 1792 Small Batch 4 out of 10, Kentucky Owl Batch 12 3 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: 1792 Small Batch 6 out of 10, Kentucky Owl Batch 12 6 out of 10
spice 7/7 spice: 1792 Small Batch 7 out of 10, Kentucky Owl Batch 12 7 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Oak is doing most of the differentiating here.
- 1792 Small Batch: Barton's flagship and one of the most under-discussed bottles at its price. A high-rye character with cocoa and orange peel, and considerably more going on than the shelf position suggests.
- Kentucky Owl Batch 12: A high-end blend of young and older sourced Kentucky bourbons. Leather, smoky oak and caramel, with a peppery, spice-forward palate.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with 1792 Small Batch if you want an overlooked, spice-forward Kentucky bourbon that punches above its price without hunting for it.
- Go with Kentucky Owl Batch 12 if you want a spicy, leathery, high-end blended bourbon with more proof behind it and with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned (1792 Small Batch); neat (Kentucky Owl Batch 12).