Arkansas Gets Its First-Ever Cream of Kentucky Single Barrel at Mash & Vine Market

Last Updated on July 19, 2026 by Justin Jones

ARKANSAS BOURBON FIRST

Barrel #00177 is the first Cream of Kentucky Single Barrel ever released in Arkansas.

Hand-selected by the Bourbon Club of Arkansas and released through Mash & Vine Market, the “Double-Rich” Kentucky straight bourbon was bottled at cask strength.

BARREL

#00177

PROOF

106.32

ABV

53.16%

Arkansas’ first Cream of Kentucky Single Barrel at Mash & Vine Market. Photo courtesy of Gary Penna.

Arkansas’ First Cream of Kentucky Single Barrel

Arkansas bourbon history has a new first.

Mash & Vine Market in downtown Little Rock has released the first Cream of Kentucky Single Barrel ever brought to Arkansas. The Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey was hand-selected by the Bourbon Club of Arkansas and bottled as Barrel #00177 at 53.16% alcohol by volume, or 106.32 proof.

The release connects Arkansas’ growing private-barrel culture with a whiskey brand whose history dates to 1888. Cream of Kentucky became a nationally recognized bourbon during the Schenley era, featured advertising artwork by Norman Rockwell, disappeared from the market for decades and returned under J.W. Rutledge.

Mash & Vine Market opened July 3, 2026, at 409 E. Third Street inside River Market Tower. The market is connected to Arkansas whiskey culture through BCA founder Gary Penna and serves as a public home for curated spirits and special releases. Read more about the downtown Little Rock market.

Cream of Kentucky Barrel #00177 at a Glance

A Closer Look at the Arkansas Release

Cream of Kentucky Single Barrel #00177.

The cask-strength release is bottled at 53.16% ABV, or 106.32 proof.

The custom side label identifies the Bourbon Club of Arkansas selection and its tasting notes.

What Makes Barrel #00177 Different?

Whiskey barrels mature individually. Their location inside a warehouse, seasonal temperature changes, interaction with new charred oak and natural variation in the wood can all influence the finished bourbon.

One barrel may emphasize caramel and vanilla, while another may lean toward fruit, spice, tobacco or oak. A single-barrel release captures the character of one specific cask rather than blending multiple barrels into a consistent batch.

Barrel #00177 was bottled at cask strength instead of being reduced to a predetermined standard proof. At 53.16% ABV, it reaches the bottle at 106.32 proof. Drinkers who prefer a softer presentation can explore it with a few drops of water or a single cube of ice.

Tasting Notes for Cream of Kentucky Barrel #00177

The custom label describes a profile that moves from sweet spice and fruit into mature oak-driven flavors.

The profile balances traditional bourbon sweetness with darker fruit, tobacco and leather notes. The oak and nut character provides a mature counterpoint without overwhelming the softer finish described on the bottle.

The History of Cream of Kentucky Bourbon

The Arkansas single-barrel release adds a new chapter to a brand with roots reaching back more than a century.

I. Trager & Company Introduces Cream of Kentucky in 1888

Historic illustration of the I. Trager & Company building.

Cream of Kentucky was introduced in 1888 by I. Trager & Company of Cincinnati, Ohio. The brand became a registered trademark in 1901, while I. Trager & Company closed in 1918, according to the brand’s official history.

The company disappeared, but the Cream of Kentucky name survived and would return after Prohibition.

Schenley Reintroduces the Brand in 1934

Schenley acquired the brand near the end of Prohibition and reintroduced Cream of Kentucky in 1934. During the 1930s and 1940s, it grew into one of the era’s leading bourbon brands and became closely associated with the phrase “Double-Rich.”

Norman Rockwell’s Cream of Kentucky Advertising

Norman Rockwell. Portrait source: Library of Congress.

Renowned American illustrator Norman Rockwell provided artwork for Cream of Kentucky advertising during the brand’s Schenley years. His work helped give the whiskey a visual identity that reached beyond conventional spirits advertising.

The modern bottle continues to echo that heritage through vintage typography, decorative label work, the heart emblem and the “Double-Rich” designation.

Cream of Kentucky Disappears from the Market

Cream of Kentucky’s official timeline identifies 1970 as the year of the last known Schenley bottling. The brand then remained dormant for decades.

Jim Rutledge and the Modern Revival

Cream of Kentucky is now owned by J.W. Rutledge, the whiskey company founded by Jim Rutledge, the former longtime Master Distiller of Four Roses.

Rutledge spent nearly five decades in the bourbon industry with Seagram and Four Roses. Four Roses announced his 2015 retirement after more than 20 years as Master Distiller, a period during which he played a central role in rebuilding the brand’s reputation for premium bourbon.

J.W. Rutledge revived Cream of Kentucky in 2018 with an 11.5-year-old single-barrel Kentucky straight bourbon bottled at 102 proof. A 12.3-year-old single-barrel release followed in 2019. The revival transformed a dormant historic label into a modern premium whiskey brand.

The Bourbon Club of Arkansas Connection

The custom label on Barrel #00177 identifies it as hand-selected by the Bourbon Club of Arkansas.

The selection reflects the club’s focus on private barrels, whiskey education and local partnerships. It also gives Arkansas drinkers a release that is more personal than a standard national bottling: every bottle represents one specific barrel selected for the state’s bourbon community.

Mash & Vine Market provides the public retail location for the release in downtown Little Rock. Bottle availability, purchase limits and store hours can change, so customers should confirm current details before traveling.

A Historic Bourbon Brand Adds an Arkansas Chapter

Cream of Kentucky Barrel #00177 brings together several chapters of American whiskey history: a bourbon name established in 1888, a brand identity shaped by Schenley and Norman Rockwell, a modern revival led by Jim Rutledge and a single barrel selected by Arkansas bourbon enthusiasts.

Cream of Kentucky Barrel #00177: Frequently Asked Questions

Official Sources and Further Reading

Historical and biographical details in this article were checked against the brand and distillery sources below.

• Cream of Kentucky — Our History
• J.W. Rutledge — Our Brands
• Four Roses — Jim Rutledge Retirement Announcement
• ArkansasLiquor.com — Mash & Vine Market Profile
• ArkansasLiquor.com — Bourbon Club of Arkansas Profile

Editorial note: ArkansasLiquor.com is an independent publication. Product availability, pricing, purchase limits and store hours can change. Please enjoy alcohol responsibly.