Compare
Kentucky Owl Batch 12 vs 1792 Small Batch
Comparing Kentucky Owl Batch 12 and 1792 Small Batch reveals a matchup between an uncut, cask-strength bruiser and a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Kentucky Owl Batch 12 | 1792 Small Batch |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 115.8 proof (57.9% ABV) +22 proof | 93.7 proof (46.9% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$300 – $400 | ~$26 – $34 ~$320 less |
| Availability | Limited | Widely available easier to find |
- Kentucky Owl Batch 12 and 1792 Small Batch do not publish an official mash bill.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
Kentucky Owl Batch 12
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
1792 Small Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Kentucky Owl Batch 12 1792 Small Batch
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 8/6 oak: Kentucky Owl Batch 12 8 out of 10, 1792 Small Batch 6 out of 10
heat 7/5 heat: Kentucky Owl Batch 12 7 out of 10, 1792 Small Batch 5 out of 10
fruit 4/5 fruit: Kentucky Owl Batch 12 4 out of 10, 1792 Small Batch 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: Kentucky Owl Batch 12 3 out of 10, 1792 Small Batch 4 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Kentucky Owl Batch 12 6 out of 10, 1792 Small Batch 6 out of 10
spice 7/7 spice: Kentucky Owl Batch 12 7 out of 10, 1792 Small Batch 7 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Oak is doing most of the differentiating here.
- 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.
- 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.
Which One Should You Choose?
- 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.
- Go with 1792 Small Batch if you want an overlooked, spice-forward Kentucky bourbon that punches above its price without hunting for it.
Best enjoyed neat (Kentucky Owl Batch 12); neat, rocks, old-fashioned (1792 Small Batch).