Drink the Bottles

  To say that we were thrilled to get our hands on another Bardstown Bourbon Company Distillery Reserve bottle would be an understatement.  Historically, these releases have proven to be nothing short of amazing, and this one falls in line with history.  We announced the release of this bottle a couple of weeks ago on our website and the official "go live" sale date was Black Friday - November 28, 2025.   There were an estimated 3,000 total bottles produced for this release and it was available only at the Bardstown Bourbon Company gift shop and the Louisville Tasting Room and limited to one per person.  This release sold out very quickly and excitement from the two previous Distillery Reserve releases helped fuel that fire.  Bardstown left no detail behind on the packaging of this expression.  The outer box and "customs" ticket are themed with the Normandie release, further fueling the desirability of this bottle for whiskey enthusiasts and coll...

  Bardstown Bourbon Scales Centuries Through Latest Distillery Reserve Launch, Normandie Calvados Brandy Barrel Finish The once forbidden flavor of Calvados casks now awaits discovery through limited-edition distillery exclusive BARDSTOWN, Ky. (November 18, 2025) - Providing that there is nowhere Bardstown Bourbon Company won't go to push the boudaries of whiskey innovation, the latest launch from the brand's Distillery Reserve is an elevated marriage of French tradition and American craft. Once forbidden by the Master of State Jean-Baptiste Colbert to protect the French wine brandy trade, cider eua-de vie, Calvados, made the journey from the white chalk cliffs of Noramndy to the home of bourbon innovation, Bardstown Bourbon Company, resulting in a decadent and unexpected blend aptly named Normandie Calvados Brandy Barrel Finish. This release emphasizes Bardstown Bourbon's promise to push the boundaries of traditional whiskey production, crafting bespoke products through ex...

We were very fortunate to taste this latest release from a 100mL sample bottle. Historically, media samples that are less than a full size bottle can be much different in taste, but not always. This selection didn't list the barrel number, but we couldn't wait to dig in! The mash bill is 68% corn, 20% wheat and 12% malt. Carmelized sugar color with dominant citrus aromas that were tangy and bright. Some time in the glass and additional swirling brought cinnamon, nutmeg and oak to the nose. Full of flavor, this rugged specimen showed us citrus fruit basket, sweet vanilla pudding, cashew nut and spice cabinet, leading to a very memorable and solid finish. Rebel Bourbon produces about six different varieties currently, and to date, they have all been super solid in our opinion. This is another feather in the cap for Master Distiller John Rempe and a nod to the consistently quality whiskey that Rebel continues to bring to market. Well done! On a side note, this bourbon has...

  We have long been fans of what Rick and Ricky Johnson are doing over at 15 Stars Bourbon.  They have always focused on rich, exciting flavors and their blending is second to none.  There has never been a release that we have tasted where we weren't instant fans.  So, when we found out that they were releasing a new label - First West - that included some of their own distillate in the blend, we jumped at the opportunity to give this some attention. This is the  First West Toasted Oak Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey , a blend of 5, 6, and 7 year old bourbons, which is really impressive for a first-release label.  The Johnsons have included some of their bourbon that they personally crafted from their proprietary red, white and blue corns, making this, at least for us, a much-anticipated and welcome new phase of their business. We were immediately impressed by the packaging of this bourbon.  The initial releases in the First West series also include ...

Bardstown Bourbon Company is known for their unique offerings that set them apart from every other distillery in the United States.  It seems that there isn't anything they won't try and if you're a finished whiskey fan, BBC is definitely in your wheelhouse!  Once in awhile, this innovative and forward-thinking company issues a distillery-only release, which is the case with this Hokkaido Mizunara Oak Barrel Finish blend of whiskeys. Mizunara Oak trees grow twisted in the hardest-to-reach corners of Japan.  The wood is incredibly rare and highly acclaimed for many industries.  This incredibly rare whiskey was comprised of just SIX barrels of Mizunara Oak, aged for 28 months to provide the unique and unforgettable flavors in this 375mL bottle.  The whiskeys that make up this incredible blend carry age statements from nine to fifteen years, each with it's own unique mash bill. Blend               Origin     ...

  We won't lie.  This was a fun one for us!  It's not every day you get to taste a 6-year-old Kentucky bourbon that is finished in Mizunara Oak Shochu barrels.  We're going to break that down in just a second. There's a lot to unwrap here. The World Whiskey Society (WWS) has only been around since 2020, but they are creating a huge footprint in the whiskey world with their extremely unique and innovative products.  First of all, you can't help but notice their exquisite packaging.  If ever there was a "cool bottle" story, it resonates with the offerings from WWS.  The labels are sophisticated and appealing.  The unique bottle toppers are secretly sought after by collectors.  So what about what is in  this bottle?  Let's take a look. So what is Mizunara Oak and what in the heck is Shochu?  Mizunara oak, or Japanese oak, is incredibly expensive and rare.  It grows in distinct pockets in northern Japan and it is very difficul...

  Sourcing and blending whiskey is nothing new.  The practice has been going on for hundreds of years since the first whiskey was produced.  But in order to be successful at blending whiskey, you need to have an understanding of the whiskey itself, the mash bills, the age statements, how to marry the various barrels and an impeccable taste for quality.  Owners of 15 Stars, Rick and Ricky Johnson, are a father and son duo that formed the company in 2019 but didn't release their first product until the spring of 2022.  These entrepreneurs and whiskey pros have been steadily growing their brand since then, paying attention to every detail (including the 15 stars bottle closure, offering a nod to Kentucky becoming the 15th state) and sourcing only what they feel are the finest bourbon barrels available from Kentucky, Indiana and Tennessee. If you consider yourself a "bourbon purist", you might be rolling your eyes about now.  And you would be extremely remiss....