A golf-inspired four-grain bourbon that leans on approachability, presentation, and just enough character to stand out.
About 19th Hole Bourbon
19th Hole Bourbon was founded by four friends — Rich Alexander, Sean Davenport, Derek Matson & Matt Gibson — who shared a simple idea: the best part of the round isn’t always the golf. It’s what comes after.
Built around the concept of the “19th hole”, the clubhouse, the patio, the place where scorecards fade and conversations take over, the brand leans heavily into connection. It’s less about the game itself and more about extending the moment: choosing to linger, to share a pour, to keep the day going.
While rooted in golf culture, the broader philosophy is more inclusive. This is positioned as a bourbon for gatherings of any kind — post-round drinks, celebrations, or quieter nights with close friends. The throughline is consistent: bourbon as a vehicle for connection.
That ethos shows up clearly in their stated pillars:
- Tradition – respecting the craft and rituals of bourbon
- Connection – creating space for shared moments
- Quality – delivering a pour worthy of the occasion
It’s a brand built less on technical innovation and more on emotional positioning. And to its credit, it knows exactly where it wants to live.
Stats
- Age: 6 year
- Proof: 90 (45% ABV)
- Mashbill: 60% Corn │24% Rye │ 10% Wheat │ 10% Malted Barley
- Origin: Bardstown Bourbon Company — Bardstown, Kentucky
- Finish: Straight
- Release: Wide Release
- MSRP: $69.99 (19th Hole)
Tasting Notes
- Nose: Waxy, bright fruit leads — think peach with a light sheen. Almond extract follows, adding a slightly confectionary edge, before settling into a familiar dusty Kentucky brown sugar note. There’s a faint touch of sawdust that keeps it tethered to its age and origin.
- Palate: Thin on entry, but not hollow. Dusty brown sugar carries first, then gradually opens into an underripe pear note. A gentle cinnamon spice begins to build mid-palate, adding just enough structure to keep things moving.
- Finish: Where it finds its stride. The spice builds into a satisfying peppery kick with a subtle hint of peppermint cooling things off. Some lingering stone fruit sweetness hangs on, though the overall profile stays fairly linear. Medium-short length, but clean.
There’s a surprising amount of character here for 90 proof and 6 years. Nothing pushes too hard, but everything lands where it should.
It’s an easy, interesting sipper with zero rough edges (and just as importantly) a bottle that feels purpose-built for where it’s meant to live. Golf events, country clubs, casual pours with friends… it fits.
And sometimes, that’s exactly the brief.
Presentation
A golf-forward bottle that tells you exactly what it is at first glance — and most importantly, doesn’t cheapen the experience doing it.
The standout is the golf ball stopper: memorable, tactile, and on-theme. There’s a slight long-term question around durability after repeated pulls, but visually it lands. The rectangular bottle and deep green label keep things grounded, giving it just enough structure to avoid slipping into gimmick territory.
This could have easily gone novelty-first. Instead, it threads the needle — distinct without losing credibility.
Distinctiveness
There’s a bit more going on here than your standard low-proof Bardstown Bourbon Company profile, thanks to the four-grain mash bill. It adds some subtle variation — just enough to occasionally break from the expected.
That said, this is still firmly rooted in familiar Kentucky bourbon territory. You’ll recognize a lot of the core notes, especially if you’ve spent time with BBC-sourced whiskey. The balance works in its favor: grounded and approachable, with a few small moments of differentiation that lift it slightly above the middle of the pack in this category.
Transparency
There’s limited transparency on both the bottle and the official website, particularly around distillery and mash bill specifics. That said, founder Sean was open and willing to share details directly — and supportive of having that information discussed publicly.
That added willingness goes a long way, even if the brand hasn’t fully brought that transparency forward into its core marketing yet.
Value
The four-grain mash bill does some of the heavy lifting here. It’s not just another standard BBC-sourced profile, and that added uniqueness brings a bit of built-in value.
At $70 for a 6-year, 90-proof bourbon, the baseline ask is on the higher side, especially for those prioritizing proof or depth. But that’s only part of the equation.
Where this starts to justify itself is in the full package. The presentation is dialed in, and the niche appeal, particularly for golf enthusiasts or those who value a bottle that looks the part on the shelf, adds a layer of value that goes beyond the liquid alone.
For the right buyer, that combination lands.
Buy this if you:
- You want an easy-drinking bourbon with a bit of personality
- You’re looking for a versatile bottle for neat pours or cocktails
- You appreciate golf-forward presentation that still feels credible
Skip if you:
- You’re chasing depth and complexity
- You prefer higher proof or more viscosity
- Novelty-leaning design is a turnoff
For those who prefer numbers, here’s the full score breakdown:
- Nose: 2.6 / 7
- Palate: 2.5 / 7
- Finish: 3.25 / 7
- Presentation: 6 / 7
- Distinctiveness: 4 / 7
- Transparency: 5 / 7
- Value: 3 / 7
Bourbon Bishop Rating: 3.76 / 7 – Bliss
Passable sipper. Works well in cocktails.
| Score | Descriptor | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 0–1 | Hell No | Drain pour. Seriously undrinkable. |
| 1.1–2 | Purgatory | Bad, but could be worse. Only in extreme cases. |
| 2.1–3 | Only Earthly | Just okay. Best used as a mixer. |
| 3.1–4 | Bliss | Passable sipper. Works well in cocktails. |
| 4.1–5 | Angelic | Good to great. High value for the price. |
| 5.1–6 | Divine | Top-shelf. Must-buy for fans of the style. |
| 6.1–7 | Holy Heaven | Out-of-this-world. A true unicorn. |
Disclosure: This bottle was provided to me free of charge for review. All opinions are my own.
Looking for more whiskey reviews? Browse my latest reviews here.
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