Review #2585 – Bardstown Bourbon Company Distillery Reserve Cathedral French Oak Barrel Finish

The Schtick: This is a unique release in that it’s got a couple unusual aspects – the first is that the barrels this is finished in feature old oak from the same forest that Notre Dame’s new oak for renovations came from. The other is that this blend is 9 to 18 years old, which 40 percent of the blend is 17 and 18 yr old whiskey, another 45 percent of the blend is 14 years old, and the rest is 11 and 9 year whiskey. It’s rare you see the youngest whiskeys in the minority. Is it any good? Let’s dive in!

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Review #2585 | Bourbon Review #1119

Distiller: Various

Bottler: Bardstown Bourbon Company

Brand: Bardstown Bourbon Company

Selection: None

ABV: 55.05% ABV

Age: NAS

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Nose: Beautifully rich, tons of cola, honey, root beer, big and strong oak. Gobs of tobbee, tobacco, rich parchment, blackberry candies and a pop of orange peel, cola, rock candy.

Taste: Moderate palate, not super heavy, but it is layered and there’s a lot going on! Rich cherry, old oak, it’s dry and tannic, dusty and dry, loaded with cola, tobacco and more root beer, black pepper, some ginger.

Finish: Long finish that’s dry and packed with character. Tons of cola sweetness, vanilla bean, dry oak, big pepper and gorgrous root beer and ginger character through and through.

Overall: This release is wild – it’s big and fat and rich without leaning too syrupy or viscous. It’s a little drier than I usually go for but it’s loaded with notes I do love – especially that cola, ginger and cherries. Delicious, awesome, stuff.

Thanks for reading!

Rank: 8

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