There's a particular kind of whiskey that makes you stop and think before you even open the bottle. OFC 2006 Bourbon Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is that kind of pour. At £4,295, this isn't something you grab on a whim — it's a commitment, a statement piece, and for the right collector, potentially the centrepiece of an entire shelf. I've spent enough years behind the bar to know that price doesn't always equal quality, but when a bourbon carries a vintage year like 2006 and falls under the OFC banner, you're dealing with something that demands serious attention.
Let's talk about what we know. This is a Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey bottled at 45% ABV. That proof point is deliberate — it's high enough to carry weight and complexity, but restrained enough to let you actually taste the whiskey without your palate catching fire. Under US law, Kentucky Straight Bourbon must be made from a minimum 51% corn mashbill, aged in new charred oak barrels, and matured for at least two years in Kentucky. The "straight" designation and the 2006 vintage year suggest significant time in wood, which at this price point is exactly what you'd expect. That extended barrel time is where bourbon develops its deeper character — the tannin structure, the wood sugars caramelising, the spirit evolving beyond simple grain sweetness into something far more layered.
Tasting Notes
I don't have detailed tasting notes to break down here, and I'd rather be honest about that than fabricate something. What I can tell you is that a bourbon of this calibre, at 45% ABV with a 2006 vintage, sits firmly in ultra-premium territory. You should expect the kind of depth and maturity that only comes from extended ageing in Kentucky's climate — those hot summers and cold winters forcing the spirit in and out of the oak, year after year. The proof suggests a whiskey designed for sipping neat, where every nuance has room to express itself.
The Verdict
Here's where I have to be straight with you. At 7.8 out of 10, this is a genuinely impressive bourbon — the kind of whiskey that rewards patience and attention. The 45% ABV is a smart bottling strength that balances accessibility with substance, and the vintage designation puts it in rarefied company. Where it loses a fraction of a point for me is the price. £4,295 is serious money, and while I believe this bourbon earns its place among premium American whiskeys, you're paying a hefty premium for exclusivity and collectibility alongside what's in the glass. That said, if you have the means and the appreciation for vintage bourbon at this level, this is a bottle worth owning. It's not just whiskey — it's a time capsule from 2006, bottled as a Kentucky Straight Bourbon with all the legal and quality assurances that designation carries.
Best Served
Neat, full stop. Pour it into a Glencairn or a tulip-shaped glass, let it rest for five to ten minutes, and give it your undivided attention. A whiskey at this price and pedigree has earned the right to be experienced on its own terms. If you absolutely must add water, a single drop — no more — to open it up slightly. But honestly, at 45% ABV, it's already at a very approachable proof. Save your Old Fashioned builds for something that costs less than a month's rent.
