Bardstown Bourbon Co. West Virginia Great Barrel Company Blended Rye

Bardstown released a rye? Just take my money. Rye, as we all know, is superior to bourbon. There’s so much more depth and complexity when that rye makes up the majority of the mash bill. Bardstown, as we all know, is the shit. Their pricing is controversial, especially if you look under the hood too critically with that whole “what’s in the juice” mindset. For example, this blended rye, is a blend of 6-7 year old 95% Indiana rye and 12 year old 100% Canadian corn whisky being sold for $150-200. That sounds steep, but I feel Bardstown is perfectly priced for market demand. Nobody is lining up, entering lotteries, or giving sexual favors to liquor store owners for these special releases; but they do sell out within a few weeks where I’m at. People who are looking for something unique and tasty, not necessarily people who want the same old bourbon and rye notes over and over, just know to grab these Bardstown special releases. So, for this release, Bardstown teams up with a cooperage in West Virginia, and they used cherry wood charred with infrared lasers, because fire is just so uncivilized. You would expect that such fancy technology to deliver a sterile, precise rye, but this is a dirty dram. There are so many interesting notes here that go beyond the standard rye. There is an immediate warm and inviting fragrance of baking a cake. Like so many good ryes, it feels like Christmas! But then, oh wait, there are deeper layers that are a little briny, a little funky, a little earthy. Very few North American whiskies have me nosing the glass like a good Scotch. The palate is why Bardstown can charge a premium. Don’t ask what’s in the juice; just taste the juice. There is just impeccable balance and bravado to this blend. The fruitiness is big; the cherries are there. There is a lot of sweetness, but it’s countered by big smoky woodiness. The rye spices are there, but they are not trying to steal the show. The mouthfeel is oily and creamy, more so than any rye I’ve tasted. Who knew that a little bit Canadian corn whiskey is exactly what a rye needs to take it to the next level? Alternatives: More affordable and easier to find: Stellum Rye ($50-60). If you want to know what blended Indiana rye can do for you if a no frills delicious presentation, you can’t go wrong with this. More extravagant and harder to find: Kentucky Owl 10 year old straight rye batch #3 ($200-250). If you can still find this bottle, it’s worth the money. Whereas, this Bardstown rye will give you things to talk about as you sip with your whiskey buddy; there’s not much to say about this Kentucky Owl – it’s just curl-your-toes delicious.

Vibrant, ruddy copper color. Large number of slowly appearing legs. Nose is Poppin with green apple, clove, confectioners sugar, caramel, and oak lumber and barn must. A tiny hint of cedar or cypress and tobacco really piques the curiosity. (Milliardo nailed it with "rosewater) Soft and somewhat thin mouthfeel, it still manages to coat the mouth well. Vigorous warmth that comes from the high proof and the spice, which seem to amplify the warming effects of each other. Lots of clove out of the gate, blending slowly into a juicy, tart fruit and caramel mid palate that yields to the wood on the finish without disappearing entirely. There's a sweetness that hides behind everything throughout the experience. Bardstown has never disappointed me, and this offering is no exception. Not sure I could pony up $150 for it moving forward, but it is awesome.

This product is finished in infrared toasted cherry oak barrels. I’m sure it’s legitimate, but can we all agree that that sounds like bullshit? Nose is high brine, pickles, salt honey. Sugar, tangerines Body is very hot, with chocolate, cream, sugar, raspberry. Bit of tea. Finish is black pepper. Potpourri. Rose water. Watermelon. A Kentucky chew opens this up a bit. The wood notes are strong, but they seem to be the source of some really delightful floral notes. This is a solid product. Value for price is always a concern when it comes to these guys, but I think this one is on the right side of the line. It’s an incredibly complex rye, and although I made fun of the infrared toasted cherry oak barrel bit, if that’s what adds in the floral notes, then that’s a delightful touch for a rye. I’m all in. Bust out y’all’s lasers.

Had this as a taster and was duly impressed, so with a bottle in tow, time for a review. Moderate red pour...some decent legs as well. Nose is quite complex, but overarchingly sweet - some oak at play here, and a somewhat nutty finish. While I note some cherry, I wonder how much of that is because I'm 'expecting' it, but its a captivating nose regardless. That being said, the flavor is the show...modestly spicy with the rye mashbill, there's a vanilla sweetness throughout, with hints of sugar and oaky tannins. Ok, on second thought, the mouthfeel is also the show - this is beautifully balanced...oily and smooth with a great finish, not to mention easy drinking for 110 proof. I don't really get how this works, but it does. It isn't cheap, but I dare say its a good value...one of the most unique pours I've had

Nose: It has a odd nose. I get the cherry with note of oak Taste: Baked cherry, floral note almost potpourri like, light rye notes, Finish: Man the whiskey just sits on the tongue with a spicy cherry just staying with you. Overall: the price tag for this bottle does not equate to the age and overall flavor of this whiskey. They dont give the percentages but 6 year old rye and 12 year old 100% corn whiskey.

Tasted neat. Nose- dried cherries and freah apples, rye, vanilla, carmel and a hint of lemon. Palate-it may sound strange, but it tasted to me like rye, carmel, dried fruit and nuts all covered in chocolate! I kept getting that chocolate hit all through the glass. This is an amazing pour. Pricey, but very, very complex and delicious.