Bardstown Bourbon Company 2026 Limited Fall Releases

Bardstown Bourbon Company

Bardstown Bourbon Company Reveals 2026 Annual Releases:
2026 Discover & Lochs of Jura Barrel Finish

Bardstown, KY (August 18, 2026) - Bardstown Bourbon Company continues its pursuit of pushing the boundaries of bourbon with two limited fall releases that explore whiskey innovation in entirely different ways.  Lochs of Jura Barrel Finish Whiskey demonstrates how extraordinary casks can shape whiskey in unexpected ways while 2026 Discovery showcases the art of blending through exceptional combination of mature Kentucky bourbons.

For the first time, Bardstown Bourbon Company's annual releases also feature original commissioned artwork inspired directly by the whiskey itself.  Louisville artiest Margaret Archambault created each pieces after experiencing the liquid, translating aroma, flavor, and texture into visual art that now appears on the bottles and packaging.  The new package design also marks an evolution for these two award-winning stories.  The Finishing Series expands on the brand's sought-after limited-edition collaborations while Discovery moves from numbered to annual releases.

"These releases started from two different questions," said Dan Callaway, Master Blender, Lofted Spirits.  "Discovery asked how far we could take an already exceptional blend.  Lochs of Jura asked what unique character these remarkable casks could contribute over time.  Both led us somewhere unexpected, and that's where the exciting whiskey discoveries happen."

Bardstown Lochs of Jura Barrel Finish

Lochs of Jura Barrel Finish began with a bespoke blend of straight bourbon and rye before spending an additional 32 months in ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks sourced from Scotland's remote Isle of Jura.  Previously used to mature single malt Scotch whisky, the casks contribute layers of ripe fruit, soft malt, subtle smoke, and maritime character while preserving the whiskey's rich bourbon foundation.

"At Bardstown Bourbon, we are relentless in pursuit of flavor and no whiskey typifies this like the Isle of Jura," said Callaway.  "With just 238 residents, Jura is not just remote - its location offers a unique fingerprint of flavor singular to these barrels."

For 32 months the team worked around the 59-gallon sherry casks, too large to be stored in the ricks and instead placed in aisles of the warehouse.  The resulting fruit character was worthy of the minor inconvenience.

Recently awarded 99 points at the 2026 International Wine & Spirit Competition, the highest score given in this year's North American judging, Lochs of Jura Barrel Finish stands among the most acclaimed releases in Bardstown Bourbon Company's history.  Presented at 104 proof, it offers a singular whiskey journey from a remote Scottish island to the Bourbon Capital of the World.

Bardstown Lochs of Jura Barrel Finish Closeup

Inspired by the flavor profiles, aromas, and personalities of the two whiskeys, Archambault's original paintings offer a visual interpretation of each release, transforming the sensory experience of tasting into a new artistic medium.

Technical data:

Blend                Origin            Age                Mashbill
49%                    IN                11 yr            Corn 75%, Rye 21%, Wheat 0%, Malted Barley 4%
30%                    IN               10 yr             Corn 0%, Rye 95%, Wheat 0%, Malted Barley 5%
21%                    KY               12 yr            Corn 75%, Rye 13%, Wheat 0%, Malted Barley 12%

Bardstown Bourbon 2026 Discovery

Bardstown Bourbon 2026 Discovery is the latest release from the company's acclaimed Discovery Series.  It is an exceptional blend of 7, 10, and 11 year-old bourbons, showcasing the balance and complexity that have become hallmarks of the series.  These high-floor barrels were selected for their balance of fruit and oak, making them perfect to take on the extra structure and sugar of double-barreling.  A four month finishing period in custom-made Garryana oak barrels adds subtle layers of spice and structure, complementing rather than overshadowing the mature Kentucky whiskey at its core.

This year's Discovery is the second Bardstown Bourbon release to explore this prized oak following the highly limited Distillery Reserve Cascadia released earlier this year.  Also knows as Oregon White Oak, Garryana is native to the Pacific Northwest and grows most comfortably in the lush Willamette Valley.  Prized for its strength and scarcity, its dense grain slows oxidation and evaporation and lends flavors like clove and nutmeg.  

Bardstown Bourbon 2026 Discovery Closeup

Presented at 112.8 proof, 2026 Discovery opens with layers of toasted oak, burnt sugar, and baked apple cobbler.  Dried cherry and cinnamon bark emerge across the palate, leading to a long, warming finish accented by the distinctive influence of Garryana oak.

Technical data:

Blend                Origin            Age                Mashbill
55%                    IN                10 yr            Corn 75%, Rye 21%, Wheat 0%, Malted Barley 4%
25%                    KY               11 yr            Corn 74%, Rye 18%, Wheat 0%, Malted Barley 8%
20%                    KY                7 yr             Corn 74%, Rye 16%, Wheat 0%, Malted Barley 10%

Both 2026 Discovery and Lochs of Jura Barrel Finish will be available nationwide in limited quantities beginning August 21, 2026, and offered at a suggested retail price of $139.99 for each 750mL bottle.














Location: 1500 Parkway Dr, Bardstown, KY 40004, USA

Popular posts from this blog

Augusta Distillery Buckner's Single Barrel 13 Year Bourbon

Image
Every so often, when the timing is right and the aging process is exactly  where they want it to be, Augusta Distillery releases their Buckner's Single Barrel 13 Year Bourbon.  There are two things you should know about this bourbon; it is delicious and it always sells out - quickly!  The bottle we are tasting today has a "bonus" to it if are a proof hound, because this one is just a tick away from being considered a hazmat bottle.  Let's get into it... Reddish brown with streaks of burgundy throughout the bottle and Glencairn.  The packaging is eye-catching (yes folks, that matters) and this is one of those bottles that makes your heart skip a half of a beat when you see it in the wild.   The nose gives vibes of an old dusty bookstore, damp country road, grilling spices and buttercream frosting.  Tasted neat, we uncovered flavors of roasted nuts, cigar smoke, pecan pie filling and a peppery goodness.  Underlying interests of homemade vanilla...
Read more

2020 Fieldhouse 301 Red Wine

Image
  This was our first experience with the wines offered by Scout & Cellar of Texas.  They seem to have a little bit of something for just about everyone, especially if you are budget-minded, as most of their offerings are in the $19 - $36 range.  At those prices you can find a daily drinker, no doubt!  This wine is the 2020 Fieldhouse 301 Red Wine (blend) from California.  You would typically find Cabernet Sauvignon in a red blend, but this one is a combination of Zinfandel (48%), Merlot (23%), Petite Sirah (12%), Carignan (9%) and Barbera (8%).   You don't find Carignan in too many California wines, even as a blending grape, so that was interesting to us.  This wine had a great medium purple color with blackberry, coffee bean and menthol nose.  With a lighter-to-medium mouthfeel, flavors of sweet blackberry preserves, roasted coffee beans, pepper and red licorice.  This is not a sugar bomb (if we have given that impression) but it i...
Read more

NV Winking Owl Merlot

Image
Why would you buy a bottle of wine for $2.49 you ask?  I honestly don't have an answer.  Curiosity probably got the best of me.  Flashbacks of "Two Buck Chuck" bounced around in my head as I passed this at Aldi several times yesterday.  But I like to keep an open mind and I'm always up to a challenge so I figured at this price, I'm really no worse for wear.  This bottle is less than a cup of coffee at most restaurants and I've spent far more money on less satisfying objects in my lifetime.  So, without further ado, I present the non-vintage Winking Owl Merlot..... I should start by saying that I am generally perplexed by anyone  who can put wine in a bottle for this price.  After all, sans juice, you still have the bottle, the cork, the label, the capsule, the outer packaging, the marketing, etc, etc to take into consideration of the total cost at checkout.  So when you remove those items from the cost of the bottle of wine, what do you have?...
Read more