Name: Bardstown – Discovery Series #1
Color: Copper
Nose: Corn, wood, dark fruit, orange
Taste: Corn, sweet orange jam, warm mulling spices
Bardstown Bourbon Company is from Bardstown, Kentucky and it is a relatively new company compared with others from the region. I learned they are “a new blend of bourbon makers pushing the boundaries through innovation” and “a modern Napa Valley styled facility with food paring…on the new 1,000-acre property…combo of distillery, visitor center, rickhouses, and active farm”. I visited the distillery in April 2021 and it is impressive. It makes some other visitor centers feel tiny in comparison. The company states $25 million was spent on the property, but it appears they spent much more. I hoped to sample some of the expensive expressions, but they were only available for purchase.
Discovery Series #1 is a very nice balance when some water is added. Compared to the Fusion Series it is a better bourbon, but you pay double, if not more.
Stated on the bottle:
- 5% Kentucky Bourbon 13 years, 78% corn, 12% rye, 10% malted barley
- 75% Kentucky Bourbon 11.7 years, 74% corn, 18% rye, 8% malted barley
- 10% Kentucky Bourbon 10 years, 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley
- 10% Kentucky Bourbon 5 years, 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley
- NAS, non-chilled filtered, 60.605% abv (121 proof)
This expression is also very hot, almost too hot. It needs water to cut it to expose the flavor profile. I continue to feel and state in my reviews; I am the customer, why am doing your job as the distiller? It makes sense to me when you use high proof for cocktails to deal with the ice, but I’m not spending $100+ on a mixer. You get 100 proofs for $35-50.
I purchased this bottled at a charity auction for Brett Ferencz, aka “Scotch Trooper” to support his fight against cancer. Sadly, Brett lost his battle with cancer on February 11th, 2021.I would like to note that if you can afford expensive whiskey please consider donating money to families, friends, neighbors, or strangers that are fighting cancer. Cancer just doesn’t devastate a ones health and family’s emotional state, it does massive damages to their finances.
Priced around $130+ and worth the money is you like the taste profile and the proof.
Rest in Peace Scotch Trooper.
If you like it, drink it! – Christopher
