Bardstown Bourbon Co. Fusion Series #5

Neat. Sample. The nose on first impression hit me wrong. Got a wet dog note. Whenever I have a moment like that I assume it’s me and not the whiskey. Take a break, smell my elbow and try to reset. Going back in, there is a mustiness there but it’s not as bad as that first whiff. Chocolate peanut butter cup seems to be the dominate flavor Discover is going for when their own distillate is involved. There is some interesting fresh coconut here. Vanilla pudding pie. Inviting nose but nothing special. Mouthfeel is average, tad watered down feeling. Taste matches the nose. That fresh coconut appears upfront, almost like a coconut milk even. Transitions to the chocolate, hint of nut, ends on a vanilla milk shake. You know, I am going back to the mouthfeel. Initial impression was off, but subsequent sips have a creaminess to it. This is kind of unique. There is a vanilla coconut Silk - milk alternative. This reminds me of sipping on that. Odd description for a bourbon but I dig it. I don’t think I would buy a bottle of this for myself. Something fun to explore once but I don’t anticipate craving it.

Dark straw color. Really hangs on the glass with only a few slow forming legs. The nose has a lot going on: definite contribution from Rye comes through with undertones of baking spices and tart fruit aromas, musty barn loft.... Some burnt sugar/caramel. Plenty of barrel: old oak boards, tobacco and a hint of coconut/vanilla. It takes its time to unfold the flavors, but the finish isn't particularly long. No clear winner up front, but the mid palate shows some floral notes, a hint of the tart fruit and more burnt caramel... lots of wood going on, reminiscent of a humidor or a very old cedar closet. Vanilla frosted lemon cookies come to mind late. It has a warming effect that doesn't come from the alcohol alone... Although at no point would I describe it as sweet, there's enough balance to know that it's in there somewhere. This is a complex one for sure... Glad I've got a bottle to figure out what else is going on in there. Overall, it's very high quality, quite complex, well balanced, and very interesting... Reminds me faintly of Noah's Mill with that dark cacao/burnt caramel/tobacco thing going on.

Fusion Series #5, 47.45% ABV, straight KY bourbon whiskey. 56% Bardstown 4yr bourbon (70% corn, 18% rye, 12% malted barley); 14 % Bardstown 3yr bourbon (60% corn, 26% rye, 10% wheat, 4% malted barley); and 30% Kentucky 11yr bourbon (75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley). Yes, I like their blending transparency, even if I'm a novice in what that blending really means. Found this last April 2024 in Colorado, time to open it. Tasting neat. Golden straw brown and average coating legs in the glass. Nose is dry grass, sweet grain, light milk chocolate. In the mouth, a burst of baking spice and caramelized sugar and floral vanilla with a little ethanol bloom. Sweet and coating mouthfeel that fades quickly into a thinner spicy/minty tingling finish that is rather short but pure. Oak is rather understated until the finish. I've found a lot to like in these Bardstown blends. This one seems sweeter/lighter in flavors: less oak, leather, and tannins, but at the same time not overly fruity or floral. Nice sipping. Will see how this grows on me.

I struggle with the general positivity for the fusion series. Disclaimed. Nose is caramel, vanilla, sugar. Body is cinnamon, caramel. There’s something bright there, at least in mouth feel. If I force the issue: tangerine. But it really is more of a feel that a flavor. Finish is more cinnamon, with a bit of cocoa. Medium in terms of burn. It’s very oily, but I ain’t mad about it. This is a perfectly fine bourbon. But. This is priced in the same region as things like RHF. Blantons. OWA. Henry McKenna 10. Bakers 7. EHT, ELT… do I need to go on? This is not of the same level of quality as those. It’s less good than a dozen bourbons that cost $20 less. This is the only product line from Bardstown that is massively overpriced. Origin series: perfect. Finished series: $$$$ but I’ll argue for them. Discovery series: totally fine by me. But this one is all wrong. Every time I try one I think: “This is a fine bourbon… that should cost $50.”

Smells sweet and finishes with a slight burn on the nose, you can tell it’s a mix between aged and youthful bourbons with a heavy corn mashbill. The color is a rich amber and it rolls around the glass real smooth with long legs, just thick enough to show its sweetness. First taste is smooth, and sweet with a small bite for a finish that is real easy. You can definitely feel it on the front of the tongue and lips but it’s got a good caramel finish. Tastes like walnuts, apples, oak and almost a slight honey sweetness. Definitely one I enjoy, especially since I have the #3 too

Aroma is candy like and mostly sweet. Maybe some candy corn with the lightest note of baking spice. Flavor matches the Aroma in that it's mostly a sweet bourbon with a hint of young bourbon flavor. Some fruit notes and apple are present. A few drops of water have an interesting impact. Aroma becomes much more muted. But flavor expands greatly. Much more depth with maple and spice. Now some cinnamon and some lingering notes of Oak. Finish is better this way and water is a must here. Still, not one for the ages....