Bardstown Bourbon Co. Destillaré Orange Curaçao Finish

It’s 2020. It’s December. Let’s shut this year down with a brand new whiskey every day. It’s my own personal whiskey advent calendar. +6! Dec. 2, 2020 2020 was also the year of Bardstown. I discovered this freakin amazing brand earlier this year, and spent much of my 2020 bourbon hunting time (and capital) focused on the other releases. This is the most recent release in my area, and it’s 9 year old “Tennessee bourbon” (this labeling convention made me chuckle) finished in Orange Curaçao barrels. Nose is oranges. High acid, low sugar. It’s not the type of orange you want when you want oranges. It’s orange soda, orange cough syrup, orange candles. Hint of vanilla buried in there somewhere. Body is a complete and perfect delivery of the nose. This tastes like a mix drink. Or cough syrup. The finish has an intense cinnamon flavor. It’s not hot, but that expression of cinnamon is delicious. This is the best cinnamon finish I’ve ever had in a whiskey. I would almost say that this tastes like someone took a really good bourbon and messed it up. Almost. And it hurts me to say that because I freaking love the Bardstown label. This is indisputably my least favorite Bardstown product to date, but it’s not all bad. That cinnamon finish is still special. There’s hints of the underlying bourbon before that, but it’s overpowered by the curaçao influence. I thought this tasted like a mix drink, and interestingly enough, when you put it on ice it shines. The orange is much more tolerable this way. Additionally, this is absurdly good in an old fashioned. Switch half the angostura for some orange bitters, then put this guy in there. It’s pretty special. If you’re like me, and you don’t want to spend $140 on “mixin whiskey,” on the rocks is the way to go with this one. Probably won’t buy another, but I could see that changing if I get enough enjoyment on ice. ‘Tis the season. I’m day-to-day on my whiskey selection, so if you’re reading this and there’s something readily available out there you’d like me to enjoy/suffer through this holiday season, leave it in the comments. Merry whiskey to all, and to all a beer flight!

Nose - I'm immediately surprised how strong the orange scent comes through here. I expected a typical bourbon nose with a hint of citrus but the curacao takes front and center. Unfortunately the orange scent feels cheaper than more luxurious and reminds me of orange sherbet, snow cones, and candy. Not necessarily mature citrus flavors I'd want in a bourbon. All that said, the nose is still quite nice and intriguing and the orange scents mixed with baking spice, vanilla, and molasses provide a pleasant alternative to most bourbon profiles. Palate - This is much better than the nosing let on. The orange comes through very strongly but not offensively. It's very bright and refreshing and plays well with the other whiskey flavors noticed on the nose. To me this tastes like a high end premade old fashioned. It would be a wonderful dessert bourbon or as an interesting taster for guests but I probably wouldn't reach for this as a sipper. Simply put, bright orange citrus rounded out with sweet brown sugar, vanilla, and baking spices. If orange pie was a thing this would be it in liquid form. Finish - The finish truly is the best part of this experience. Somehow cinnamon spice comes out of nowhere and leaves a wonderful heat that plays very well with the diminishing orange profile. The medium length finish starts sweet and citrusy and slowly transforms into a warm cinnamon coating at the back of the mouth and down in the chest. Conclusion - This bourbon is beautifully different and I'm impressed that Bardstown could build such a heavy orange profile without it feeling gimmicky and cheap. It's not particularly my favorite whiskey and I generally prefer more subtle flavors but it's impressive nonetheless. As I mentioned before this would best be served as a dessert bourbon or to guests as an interesting alternative. Biggest downside is I don't want to pay $130 for an occasional use dessert whiskey or fun taster.

Smells like Tang and orange juice and I mean that in a good way. Tastes like an orange creamsicle. I thought I would hate the orange but this is pretty good, the base bourbon is good and this is unique in a good way. Good dessert drink. 1/17/21

Some of the most flavorful Bourbon I’ve ever had (in a interesting way not good or bad).... definite orange liquor scent and flavor. Great texture and long sweet finish. If you like orange or even old fashion you’d love this juice.

The distillaré's orange flavor is very apparent on the nose and in the taste. It's a sweet easy drinking dessert bourbon, but the combination works. You can still taste the complexities of the bourbon as well.

Nose- sweet, honey and oranges Body- orange sherbert, old fashioned Finish- orange zest really comes through here with powdered sugar I like this. Milliardo is wrong.