Grammy-award-winning rock icons Kings of Leon have partnered with Willett Distillery to release three limited edition Whiskeys.

John McCarthy, Barleycorn Awards Co-Founder and Director of Judging, sat down for an exclusive interview with Kings of Leon to discuss the creation of the Kiamichi Whiskey Collection and how the collaboration with Willett Distillery came to be.

The Kiamichi Whiskey Collection includes:

A 5 Year Rye that is a 12-barrel blend of both Willett rye mash bills aged in Char 5, 24-month cured oak from Hoffmeister Cooperage

An 8 Year Rye that is a 6-barrel blend of Willett's low rye mash bill aged in Char 4, 9-month cured oak from ISC

A 19-Year Bourbon that is a single barrel proprietary Mash Bill bottled at Cask Strength. This extremely rare and high-end release celebrates the anniversary of Kings of Leon's debut album, Youth and Young Manhood, which debuted 19 years ago.


John McCarthy is a spirit, travel, and lifestyle journalist, managing editor, and author of The Modern Gentleman and Whiskey Rebels: The Dreamers, Visionaries & Badasses Who Are Revolutionizing American Whiskey. McCarthy is also editor of Barleycorn Drinks and Director of Judging of the John Barleycorn Awards.