First, thank you to Augusta Distillery and Kentucky Bourbon Direct for sending me these four samples! Until being contacted by Kentucky Bourbon Direct, I had not had any exposure to the Augusta Distillery, and as you will see, that is why they contacted me. As a reminder, these samples were sent to me with no strings attached, so as always, this review will truly be my opinion of the product, no matter what. From the Augusta Distillery, today’s review is of their Old Route 8 Bourbon and their Buckner’s 10-Year Old, Buckner’s15-Year Old, and Buckner’s 17-Year Old.

Bottle Information

From the Augusta Distillery website: When you live in the one small corner of the world God graciously anointed to be bourbon country, life revolves around it. People prioritize socializing and schedule events around their next sip. It is what we call being “bourbon-centric.” Augusta Distillery was created to extend this elevated existence to all who are willing to downshift, kickback and linger a little longer.

Old Route 8: Take the off ramp and wander along the very river banks where bourbon whiskey first flowed. Old Route 8 invites you to slow down and explore. This exceptional 8-year, cask strength; single barrel bourbon has been crafted in the true Kentucky tradition and patiently matured to offer an elevated experience that can be enjoyed every day. Like the thoroughfare it is named after, Old Route 8 connects bourbon’s past and present and invites you to join in the journey.

Buckner’s 10: Our Buckner’s 10-year, single-barrel bourbon completes the brand’s ultra-premium lineup. As the youngest expression in this esteemed family, it provides a level of maturity not commonly found in younger distillations. Its full-cask strength commands attention while still offering an approachable entry for bourbon drinkers looking to explore top-tier options.

Buckner’s 15: This is the long-awaited follow-up to Buckner’s inaugural offering. The 15-year Single Barrel has matured for a decade and a half to provide an extraordinary pour that leaves a striking first impression, followed by layered complexities on the way to a lingering finish.

Buckner’s 17: Just as captain Philip Buckner evolved from a revolutionary war hero to revered Kentucky statesman, the bourbon bearing his name has advanced as well. buckner’s 17-year, single-barrel, limited release builds on the quality of its 13-year predecessor. Matured for over a decade and a half, this extraordinary bourbon is an unforgettable pour – providing a striking first impression, followed by layered complexities on the way to a lingering finish.

• Bottles:
  • Old Route 8 Limited 8 Year Single Barrel Unfiltered Cask Strength Kentuckey Straight Bourbon Whiskey
  • Buckner’s 10-Year Single Barrel Unfiltered Cask Strength Kentuckey Straight Bourbon Whiskey
  • Buckner’s 15-Year Single Barrel Unfiltered Cask Strength Kentuckey Straight Bourbon Whiskey
  • Buckner’s 17-Year Single Barrel Unfiltered Cask Strength Kentuckey Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• Distiller: Augusta Distillery
• Mash Bills: Undisclosed
• Proof: 115.3, 120.5, 118.8, and 120
• Age: 8-Years Old, 10-Years Old, 15-Years Old, and 17-Years Old
• Year: 2025
• 2025 MSRP: $115, $150, $320, and $420
• Official Website
• Available Online February 4, 2025 at 3 PM Eastern from Kentucky Bourbon Direct

There is a lack of Augusta Distillery inventory in the NoCo area. That brings us to why Kentucky Bourbon Direct, a direct-to-consumer (DTC) company reached out to Bourbon Bossman. Now first, what is a DTC? That answer is quite easy, it is a company that can legally sell bourbon online and ship it directly to your house as a consumer. I have used several of these companies in the past, as often smaller, and even some larger distilleries, cannot release their products in Colorado.

As for Kentucky Bourbon Direct, from what I can tell through researching the company a bit, the company looks to be fairly new in the DTC realm. In October of 2024, the KY Inno Digital Media group wrote about their growth in the marketplace. Looking through their new website, it also looks like they are still working on securing several Kentucky Distilleries, however when they do, this will be a great offering to consumers across the nation. Although I can not speak to the overall purchasing experience of their website, I can speak to the overall ease and enjoyment I have had speaking to one of their team members.

Overall, these four samples are truly my first time reviewing any products from the Augusta Distillery. If we are just talking about just the bourbon itself, all of the samples were above-average bourbons, but Buckner’s 15-Year-Old was damn amazing. However, when you factor the the prices of these bottles ranging from $115 for the Old Route 8 to $420 for the Buckner’s 17-Year-Old, it is going to be hard to swallow for many people; pun intended.

Nonetheless, I will probably be seeking out a bottle of either Buckner’s 10-Year or 15-Year to keep for a special occasion, as those two offerings stand up to many of the well-known age-stated offerings currently on the market. With that said, let’s get our taste on!

• Bottle: Old Route 8 Limited 8 Year Single Barrel Unfiltered Cask Strength Kentuckey Straight Bourbon Whiskey
  • Nose: Dark Red Fruit, Caramel, Vanilla, Oak, and a Slight Dusty Corn Grain
  • Palate: Vanilla, Baking Spice, Red Fruit, Oak, and Caramel
  • Finish: Medium Ending in Sweet Vanilla Bean and Baking Spice
  • My Rating: Mix It!/Drink It! (Good, solid bourbon but nothing to write home about when you add in the price for an 8-Year)

• Bottle: Buckner’s 10-Year Single Barrel Unfiltered Cask Strength Kentuckey Straight Bourbon Whiskey
  • Nose: Vanilla, Stonefruit, Brown Sugar, Oak, and Cherry
  • Palate: Vanilla, Buttercream, Pepper Spice, Cherry, Oak, and Cinnamon
  • Finish: Medium with Notes of Buttercream and Cinnamon
  • My Rating: Drink It! (This is a super solid well above average 10-year Bourbon that I will be looking to purchase for a special occasion)

• Bottle: Buckner’s 15-Year Single Barrel Unfiltered Cask Strength Kentuckey Straight Bourbon Whiskey
  • Nose: A Bit Simplistic with Notes of Oak, Cherry, and Vanilla
  • Palate: Baking Spice, Vanilla, Brown Sugar, Stonefruit, Cacoa, and Oak
  • Finish: Long Beautiful Colorado Winter Hug Ending with Notes of Sweet Vanilla and Baking Spice
  • My Rating: Drink It!/Save It! (Damn… it is a hefty price for this 15-Year Old, but good god that finish is amazing!)

• Bottle: Buckner’s 17-Year Single Barrel Unfiltered Cask Strength Kentuckey Straight Bourbon Whiskey
  • Nose: Floral, Toasted Oak, Baking Spice, and Slight Vanilla
  • Palate: Caramel, Oak, Cherry, Baking Spice, Floral, and Cinnamon
  • Finish: Short to Medium with Notes of Caramel and Dry Oak
  • My Rating: Mix It!/Drink It! (Typically older statements are my jam, but I find this single barrel a bit lacking, especially for the price point…)

Please remember, drinking bourbon is a personal adventure, so do not be afraid to drink it neat, with ice, or add some water. It’s your bourbon, you bought it, and you should enjoy it how you want to enjoy it!

Cheers! Prost! Sláinte!

Bourbon Bossman™