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Horse Soldier Barrel Strength vs Kentucky Owl Batch 12
Put Horse Soldier Barrel Strength next to Kentucky Owl Batch 12 and you have an uncut, high-wheat heavyweight set against a full-proof, unfiltered heavyweight.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Horse Soldier Barrel Strength | Kentucky Owl Batch 12 |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Wheated Bourbon, Barrel Proof | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| Mash Bill 1 | 70% corn, 20% wheat, 10% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 111 proof (55.5% ABV) | 115.8 proof (57.9% ABV) +5 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$78 – $85 ~$269 less | ~$300 – $400 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Limited |
- Horse Soldier Barrel Strength and Kentucky Owl Batch 12 do not publish an official mash bill.
- US shelf prices as of 2026-10; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Horse Soldier Barrel Strength
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Kentucky Owl Batch 12
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Horse Soldier Barrel Strength Kentucky Owl Batch 12
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 5/7 spice: Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 5 out of 10, Kentucky Owl Batch 12 7 out of 10
oak 6/8 oak: Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 6 out of 10, Kentucky Owl Batch 12 8 out of 10
sweetness 7/6 sweetness: Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 7 out of 10, Kentucky Owl Batch 12 6 out of 10
fruit 5/4 fruit: Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 5 out of 10, Kentucky Owl Batch 12 4 out of 10
heat 7/7 heat: Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 7 out of 10, Kentucky Owl Batch 12 7 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 3 out of 10, Kentucky Owl Batch 12 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The gap between these two is mostly about spice.
- Horse Soldier Barrel Strength: A barrel-strength wheater from the veteran-founded Horse Soldier brand. Brown sugar and toasted oak lead, baking spice and heat follow, and a splash of water pulls out darker fruit.
- 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 Horse Soldier Barrel Strength if you want a big, barrel-strength wheated bourbon with plenty of brown sugar and warmth at a significantly lower price point.
- Go with Kentucky Owl Batch 12 if you want a spicy, leathery, high-end blended bourbon.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (Horse Soldier Barrel Strength); neat (Kentucky Owl Batch 12).