Peerless Henry Kraver Old Reserve 10 & 12 Year Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey: A Bold New Chapter for Peerless Fans

Kentucky Peerless Distilling Co. is back in the spotlight with two newly approved labels that have the whiskey world buzzing. The Peerless Henry Kraver Old Reserve 10 Year Kentucky Straight Rye and Peerless Henry Kraver Old Reserve 12 Year Kentucky Straight Rye recently appeared on the TTB (Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau) label registry—and if you’re a fan of bold, aged, barrel-proof rye, these are bottles you’ll want to keep on your radar.

In this article, I’ll walk through what we know so far about these two highly anticipated releases, what the labels reveal, why the Peerless flavor profile has long stood out in a crowded field, and—of course—what the potential price tags might look like. Because let’s be honest: how much these bottles cost could make or break the broader hype.

What We Know So Far: A Look at the Labels

The TTB label approvals offer a first glimpse at what Peerless may have in store for rye lovers. Here’s what we know from the label submissions:

• Names:
  • Peerless Henry Kraver Old Reserve 10 Year Kentucky Straight Rye
  • Peerless Henry Kraver Old Reserve 12 Year Kentucky Straight Rye
• Key Details on Both Labels:
• • • Never Chill Filtered
    • Barrel Proof (Although the placeholder shows 100 proof, it’s expected this will change to reflect true barrel proof)
    • Sweet Mash Recipe
    • Aged 10 and 12 Years Respectively
    • Straight Rye Whiskey distilled and aged in Kentucky

The “Henry Kraver Old Reserve” line appears to be a tribute to the historical figure central to Peerless’s heritage—Henry Kraver, who helped revive the distillery in the 1890s. Tying this new line to his legacy suggests Peerless is making a statement: these bottles are special, significant, and designed to stand among the elite in the American rye world.

Sweet Mash, Barrel Proof, No Chill Filtration: A Whiskey Nerd’s Dream

For those unfamiliar, Peerless is one of the few distilleries using a sweet mash process, where a fresh mash is used for each fermentation cycle, rather than using backset like in sour mash. This results in a cleaner, brighter distillate, allowing more nuanced grain and barrel character to shine through—especially as the whiskey ages.

Combine that with no chill filtration and barrel-proof bottling, and you’ve got all the makings of a rich, unadulterated rye whiskey experience. Peerless has been consistent in their commitment to quality, and this new line continues that trend. For seasoned enthusiasts, these choices are music to our ears.

Tasting Expectations: What Might These Old Reserve Ryes Deliver?

While we obviously haven’t tasted these specific 10- and 12-year expressions yet, it’s worth speculating based on Peerless’s established rye flavor profile. Past releases have offered bold, layered experiences—often packed with baking spice, herbal rye character, dried fruits, and dark, chewy caramels.

Both will likely be dense, oily pours with big flavor and serious heat at barrel strength. For those who enjoy sipping high-proof whiskey that tells a story, these might be special pours worth savoring.

Why I’m Personally Excited About These Peerless Rye Releases

Let me be totally honest—I’ve always appreciated Peerless’s bold, unapologetic approach to whiskey-making. Their small batch rye expressions have been consistently high quality, and their decision to release aged barrel-proof whiskey in limited volumes only enhances their credibility as a craft powerhouse.

The fact that these are barrel proof, sweet mash, and not chill filtered tells me Peerless isn’t cutting corners or chasing volume. They’re making whiskey for people who care about whiskey.

Also—aged ryes in the 10- to 12-year range are few and far between. Having that level of age combined with Peerless’s distillation approach makes this one of the most exciting label reveals I’ve seen this year.

The Big Question: What Will the Price Be?

Okay, let’s talk about the elephant in the rickhouse: price.

Peerless has never been a budget buy. Their standard 4-year small batch rye often sits in the $90–$100 range, and limited single barrels have pushed into the $120+ territory. That raises a very real question: How much will these 10- and 12-year ryes cost?

My Predictions:

• Peerless Henry Kraver Old Reserve 10 Year Rye: Likely in the $199–$249 range
• Peerless Henry Kraver Old Reserve 12 Year Rye: Could push $249–$299, depending on market positioning

These price points would put them in line with other ultra-premium ryes like WhistlePig 10–15 Year Single Barrels, Michter’s 10 Year Rye, and even High West’s A Midwinter Night’s Dram special releases. Whether the flavor can justify the price will be the real test—but given the age, barrel proof nature, and Peerless’s track record, I think the demand will be there.

Still, I’d love to see Peerless offer these bottles at the $150–$180 mark to stay competitive and accessible for enthusiasts. Time will tell.

Where to Buy: Will These Be Limited?

As of now, no official release date or allocation strategy has been announced. But based on past Peerless special releases, expect:

• Limited Distribution at first, possibly distillery-only or Kentucky-focused rollout
• Select retailers with strong relationships may get small allocations
• Likely heavy demand on secondary/gray market, especially for the 12-year expression

If you’re hoping to snag a bottle, keep an eye on Peerless’s official social media channels and join their newsletter list for updates.

If you’re a rye whiskey lover, these upcoming Peerless Old Reserve ryes are worth getting excited about. Age-stated ryes at barrel proof with craft credentials and thoughtful distilling practices? That’s rare in today’s market.

While pricing will be the determining factor for many, the transparency and quality behind the label already check a lot of boxes for me.

Depending on price, I will definitely be hunting both bottles when they drop—and you can bet they’ll get a full review here on Bourbinsane when (or if) I get my hands on them.