Distillery: Undisclosed “Kentucky Distillery”
Proof: 104.0 (52.0% ABV)
Age: Minimum Two Years
Mashbill: Undisclosed
MSRP: $50
Where Bourbon Once Floated – Now It Finishes
Left Bank is a brand that few enthusiasts may recognize—at least for now. A relatively new name in the American whiskey landscape, it doesn’t come with a storied family lineage or decades of warehouse tradition. But what it offers instead is a fresh perspective—one that is rooted in reverence for the journey bourbon once made: downriver, from Kentucky to New Orleans–the Crescent City.
The name Left Bank references the western banks of the Mississippi River, a nod to the historic trade routes that defined one of bourbon’s earliest markets. This new expression aims to honor that legacy—not just with name branding, but through a literal journey.
After being distilled and aged for at least two years in Kentucky, the bourbon is transported south along the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers. During the voyage, it continues to rest in barrels and interact with a curated selection of oak staves, Finishing in motion, much like the barrels did in the 1800s.
While the exact distallation source remains undisclosed, Left Bank presents itself with quiet integrity. It’s a brand built on a simple premise: let the spirit reflect the movement, aging, and atmosphere of a time when bourbon wasn’t bottled at origin—it was barreled, loaded, and sent downstream.
For me, that kind of respect for the days of old matters. And while the whiskey’s reputation is just beginning, it comes to market a humble price point, and a narrative worth following. Let’s step into the journey and see how the Taste Profile stacks up.
Left Bank Straight Bourbon Whisky Finished with Oak Staves Review: Tasting Notes
Nose – 4/5
The Nose opens with caramelized sugar, toasted oak, and toasted oat muffin. Notes of corn chex cereal and bright citrus peel arrive slowly, adding some freshness to an otherwise warm, sweet profile.
Palate – 4/5
On the Palate, the bourbon delivers caramel and husk on grilled corn up front, followed by cracked black pepper and light cinnamon. There’s a subtle presence of dried apples and dry baking spice, grounded by a background of oak that reinforces the stave finish influence without dominating it.
Finish – 3.75/5
The Finish is medium-long and pleasantly warm, with lasting impressions of pepper spice, faint smoke, and dry barrel. It doesn’t push, rather, it winds down gently with a clean and dry fade.
Value – 4.5/5
Given its unique finishing, the added element of its journey, and the clean execution, Left Bank Straight Bourbon is a craft-level whiskey with a very accessible price point of $50. Which makes it hard to ignore. It’s a compelling option for drinkers looking to explore something new without compromising quality.
Left Bank Straight Bourbon Whisky Finished with Oak Staves Review: The Verdict
Left Bank Straight Bourbon Whisky Finished with Oak Staves absolutely deserves a closer look. It’s approachable, historically inspired, and surprisingly polished for a brand making its debut. The oak stave finish is well-executed, adding structure and subtle complexity, while the whiskey’s Southern journey provides a romantic link to bourbon’s past.
For bourbon fans who appreciate a sense of place and story in what they drink, Left Bank is a welcome surprise. For now, it may fly under the radar—but Left Bank Straight Bourbon is the kind of bottle that belongs where good bottles live: on your shelf, and in your glass.
Verdict – 4.1/5
We score each bourbon based on nose, palate, finish, and value.
Scoring System:
- Platinum – 4.5 – 5
- Gold – 4 – 4.5
- Silver – 3 – 4
- Bronze – <3
Mike Long is a staff writer at Bourbon Inspector and has an Executive Bourbon Steward designation from the Stave and Thief Society. He’s a former “wine guy” who discovered his love for bourbon years back at a spur-of-the-moment bourbon tasting he attended. He also loves traveling throughout America with his wife of over 37 years, Debby.