In the year 1792, Kentucky became a state. 1792 Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey is named after that wonderful year. It’s a spicy, rye-rich bourbon which is just asking to be enjoyed on a sunny evening with a few ice-cubes.

1792 Small Batch Bourbon is a higher-end bourbon from Barton, itself one of a number of bourbon brands owned by Sazerac. It was originally sold as 1792 Ridgewood Reserve, until Brown-Forman successfully sued Barton in 2004, arguing that consumers would confuse it with Woodford Reserve. The name refers to the year Kentucky gained statehood, a nod to bourbon history by a company that’s only been in business since 1933.

This is a higher-rye bourbon, with about 20% of the mash bill consisting of the peppery grain. It’s aged eight years, bottled at 93.7 proof and priced and marketed to compete against labels like Knob Creek and, indeed, Woodford Reserve.