Bardstown Bourbon Co. Fusion Series #4

So as the 7 isn't on distiller yet and I hate adding whiskies, I'll be doing 4 vs 7 and reviewing both here and when I see 7 up, I'll move it on over. Full disclosure I paid for the fusion 4 but 7 was given to me by the distillery. 4 Nose - The nose is opening up as classic Barton notes. Apple, light cinnamon, touch of oak spice and then there's a bit of an earthy element that you wouldn't get on barton. Overall it's VERY barton forward up front. Taste - And while the nose is all that 13 year barton, the taste is much more funky odd young bourbons with that sweet lovely barton on the finish. I don't really have a lot to say here, it's just not that interesting, but it's pretty boring and no descriptive. Overall - I don't mind this bottle and I've been working on just killing it to free up the space. There's this savory oily malty and youthful element I just can't get into. That said I think the barton is so young...it might really explode as it gets 5-6 years old. 7 Nose - White sugar and corn is really the upfront note here. Very clean and simple sweetness followed by funky bourbon. The rye here comes off burnt and very oak forward. It's an obvious blend of some likely heaven hill/beam type bourbons. Really heavy on that corn nut forward elements. Taste - Corn, sour, bitter, very low sweetness, tannic, and yet youthful. This is NOT good lol. Now I do have to say it's layered with a lot of depth and a lot of flavors, I just don't like any of it. But if you like something funky you might dig it. At the very last this is higher proof than the batch 4 and it has a really nice mouth feel. For me the 4 is a 1.5 and the 7 is a 1.25. Both are acceptable bourbons but they should be much cheaper, more in that 40 dollar range. I know they use some expensive sourced bourbon but their distillate isn't ready for the show to me.

The nose is starts with a burst of floral rye and mint, sweet and creamy oak, butterscotch, all balanced by fruit jam and a touch of leather. It is wonderfully complex that has you exploring something new each time you smell. As it breathes though, the spice subsides giving way to lush creaminess. The palate is somewhat rich with a light and almost oily mouthfeel and swirls to all corners of the mouth leaving rye and cinnamon at the tip of the tongue that quickly moves down the sides, while vanilla and oak glide down the middle of the tongue. It all comes together in a sweet and smooth, yet spicy experience that makes you think you’re taking a bite of spicy cake. With all the elements you got on the nose, it all melds together on the palate that only needs few words to describe. This is very much a compliment to the whiskey that everything comes together so nicely. And indeed, after breathing for a few minutes, the nose does immediately remind you of cake. It is delightful. The finish is medium and spicy with lush oak that lingers and mixes with the spice with vanilla that appears with with every chew. It sadly doesn’t last much longer, but however it makes you want to go back for more.

First time trying and a first time review. Enjoying neat, no rest for the pour. Nose - sweet and fruity. Chocolate, oranges, with a slight spice. Taste - sweet, salty, and fruity. A lot going on here with vanilla notes to start, citrus, cherries, then an abrupt saltiness. The finish has oak, mint, and more vanilla. The mint has a bit of spice to it. The finish is rather quick but keeps you wanting more. Pretty unique bourbon flavorings. Overall - a unique nice change of pace from your everyday bourbon. Some interesting flavors that work well together. Good bottle for the 50$ price point.

Found behind all the Series #6 bottles at the Blarney Stone near the South Bend airport. Smell is a lot of that sharp young rye but with cool caramel undertones - maybe a hint of fruits/apple tart. Sip has a very pleasant mouthfeel - light and buttery but a very complex mixture of flavors: sweet vanilla butter and honey syrup. A hint of molasses and mint. Very good - might be the best of the fusion series I have tried so far (2, 5, 6, 7)

Super interesting flavors. You can taste the obvious younger whiskey giving off vibrant notes of spice (being higher rye mashbills) but then finish is extremely mellow and pleasant. It has a....disconnect? Mid-palate that I can’t figure out what is going on, but overall full of flavors. This is the first bardstown product I’ve tried, but I’m certainly interested to keep trying them in the future.

Smoke on the nose. Attacked my mouth on multiple levels upon entry (in a good way). Finished spicey on a few levels (like fire works going off at different heights). I don’t know where it fits in the arsenal, maybe for making smokey drinks, or as a friendly night cap. Probably won’t replace the bottle once empty.