In the liquor industry, one of the only things hotter than Kentucky bourbon is super-expensive Kentucky bourbon. The market for the high-end brown stuff has exploded in recent years, with sales at the upper reaches of the market surpassing even those of the questionably flavored bourbons. From a certain perspective, the two trends seem to work in concert: Maple, cinnamon, and honey bourbons help ease first-timers into the customer base, and the small-batch exclusivity of aged bourbons await those who cultivate a more refined taste and can afford to spend money on it. “There’s very little of this stuff available,” says Larry Kass, a spokesman for Heaven Hill Distilleries in Bardstown, Ky, of the upper-end bourbons. His company makes a range of brands that include Evan Williams, Elijah Craig, Fighting Cock, and Admiral Nelson’s Spiced Rum.
