Louisville Kings Bourbon Release: Copper & Kings Drops Collector Bottle
Copper & Kings American Brandy Company is dropping a limited single barrel bourbon to mark the Louisville Kings' first season in the United Football League. The release features a 15-year Kentucky bourbon (18 years total in wood) finished for over three years in a Copper & Kings apple brandy barrel. Only 150 bottles will ever be released, each priced at $300 and signed by Head Coach Chris Redman. The partnership establishes Copper & Kings as an official sponsor and the Official Tailgate of the franchise.
The Bottle Specs
This isn't your standard bourbon drop. The Louisville Kings Inaugural Single Barrel was hand-selected by the team and represents a rare intersection of sports memorabilia and serious whiskey collecting. The liquid started as 15-year Kentucky bourbon that spent a total of 18 years in wood before being finished for more than three years in a Copper & Kings apple brandy barrel. The extended finishing period in apple brandy casks creates a unique flavor profile that distinguishes this release from typical bourbon finishes.
Each of the 150 bottles comes signed by Head Coach Chris Redman, positioning this as both a premium pour and a collector's piece tied to the franchise's historic launch. The $300 price point reflects the rarity of the liquid and the commemorative nature of the release.
How to Score a Bottle
The official release event goes down Monday, March 23, from 6–9 p.m. ET at the Copper & Kings Distillery in Louisville's Butchertown neighborhood. Each $300 ticket secures one signed bottle plus admission for the purchaser and one guest. The evening includes complimentary food and drinks, live music, and access to Kings supporters, collectors, and team partners. Bottles can only be reserved through the official release form—no walk-up sales.
If you can't make the event, you can still purchase a ticket to secure a bottle and arrange pickup at the distillery later, subject to availability. With only 150 bottles in existence, this is expected to sell out fast. Copper & Kings calls it one of the most limited collector bottles they've ever produced.
The Broader Partnership Play
Beyond the bottle drop, this partnership makes Copper & Kings an Official Partner of the Louisville Kings and names the distillery as the Official Tailgate through the "Kings Before Kings" pre-game experience. This means game day activations and events connecting fans with the distillery throughout the season. It's a smart local play—Copper & Kings is based in Butchertown, just minutes from Lynn Family Stadium where the Kings will play their home games.
Rob Bourdon of Copper & Kings framed the collaboration as celebrating "the start of something special for Louisville," linking the bourbon release to the city's sports culture. The partnership taps into the growing trend of spirits brands activating in sports spaces, particularly around inaugural seasons and collector moments. The Kings kick off their first season at home on Friday, March 27, against the Birmingham Stallions.
Tasting Notes
The press release does not provide specific tasting notes for this expression. Given the three-plus-year finish in apple brandy barrels, expect the bourbon's traditional caramel and vanilla notes to interact with fruit-forward apple character and the tannic influence from extended barrel aging.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I buy the Louisville Kings bourbon?
The Louisville Kings Inaugural Single Barrel can only be purchased through the official bottle release form on the team's partnership website. Tickets are $300 each and include one signed bottle plus event admission. There are no retail distribution channels—this is an exclusive release limited to 150 bottles total.
What makes this bourbon different from regular Copper & Kings releases?
This single barrel bourbon was finished for more than three years in a Copper & Kings apple brandy barrel, creating a unique flavor profile not found in standard bourbon releases. The base spirit is 15-year Kentucky bourbon with 18 years total in wood. It was hand-selected by the Louisville Kings specifically for their inaugural season, and each bottle is signed by Head Coach Chris Redman.
Is Copper & Kings primarily a bourbon distillery?
No, Copper & Kings is primarily an American brandy distillery based in Louisville's Butchertown neighborhood. The distillery is known for aging brandy in bourbon barrels and finishing bourbon in brandy barrels. This Louisville Kings release showcases their barrel-finishing approach, using their apple brandy barrels to create a distinctive bourbon expression.
How many bottles of the Louisville Kings bourbon will be released?
Exactly 150 bottles will be released, making this one of the most limited collector bottles Copper & Kings has ever produced. Each bottle is individually signed by Head Coach Chris Redman. Once these 150 bottles sell out, no additional bottles from this barrel will be released.
Can I attend the release event without buying a bottle?
No, the March 23 release event at Copper & Kings Distillery is ticket-only, and each $300 ticket secures one bottle. However, each ticket includes admission for the purchaser plus one guest, along with complimentary food and drinks throughout the evening and live music. If you want to attend the event, you must purchase a bottle ticket.