Review | Bardstown Origin Series Bottled-In-Bond Bourbon

Bardstown’s Bottled-In-Bond is a wheated bourbon whiskey that forms part of the Origin Series from the Kentucky based distiller. Bardstown’s Origin Series is a collection of 100% estate-distilled bourbon and rye whiskeys, which add modern twists to traditional recipes. In this case, the mash bill features a 20% wheat (rather than rye). The remainder of the mashbill is 68% corn and 12% malted barley. When wheat acts as the secondary flavouring grain, as it does with this whiskey, it develops a different creaminess and gradual sweetness to the bourbon.

As a Bottled-In-Bond Bourbon, this whiskey is bottled at 100 proof (50% ABV) after ageing for 6 years and is 100% the product of Bardstown in one production season. It is made from locally-sourced Kentucky corn and wheat grains. Each bottle is labelled with the vintage. We are trying Fall 2017.

Bardstown Bourbon Co. built their modern distillery in 2016 in Bardstown, Kentucky, to be the first Napa Valley style destination on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. It is about an hour south of Whiskey Row in Louisville, where they also have a tasting room. The distillery mixes a very modern experience with traditional techniques which includes glass rickhouses.

Bardstown’s Origin Series also features a classic Bourbon, a high wheat style, a classic rye, and a double barrelled rye. They produce a two single barrel styles – one with bourbon and the other rye. Finally they have experimental ranges – the Discovery Series of blended whiskeys, the Collaborative Series in which they work with producers of beer, wines, and spirits for finishing.

Bardstown’s Bottled-In-Bond is available globally through specialist whisky retailers for £65 / US$50.

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Our Tasting Notes

This is a deeply golden coloured whiskey. The nose begins with toffee and fresh juicy sultanas plus maraschino cherry and lots of fresh coconut. There is a sweetness describable as icing sugar and fresh linen. It opens up with milk chocolate, oak spice and even more coconut. Then there are hints of earthy furniture varnish and orange zest.

The mouthfeel of this whiskey is creamy and decadent. There are flavours of milk chocolate and cocoa powder with lots of orange zest. It open up with runny honey, vanilla and some rich custard. In the middle of the palate there is a sweetness hit of toffee and golden syrup. There is far less coconut and cherry than was expected from the nose, but it is there in a milder form. The back of the palate offers dusty cocoa powder and tobacco with a hint of menthol eucalyptus.

On the finish this whiskey is woody and nutty with sweet spices. The cocoa powder lingers too. Orange and lemon citrus adds a refreshing character with just a tiny hint of bitterness. The finish is long, drying and oaky making it rather mouth-watering and moreish.

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What’s The Verdict?

Bardstown have produced a classic bourbon here with plenty of creaminess and none of the usual prickly rye spice. It is a great example of what is being produced by Kentucky’s craft distillers. There is a lovely intensity and structure to the whiskey. This is aided by the extra strength offered by the Bottled-in-Bond rulings. It drinks great neat but craves being added to an iconic cocktail such as an Old Fashioned or Manhattan. Delicious and makes you want to reach for another glass.