Drink the Bottles

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're going to tell you right up front that everything  we have tasted from Barrell Craft Spirits so far has been delicious.  The Mizunara Oak Cask Finish Series we are tasting today is no exception to our expectations.  It is the color of pure, unrefinded honey and the 100 mL sample bottle proves that good things come in small packages. Barrell Craft Spirits are the leaders in blended whiskeys, producing winner after winner, often using unique mash bills and differing aged whiskey to create something that is definitely palate pleasing.  The mash bill on this bottle is 76% corn, 20% rye and 4% malted barley.  This "Edition 001" release is comprised of the following bourbons:  Indiana - 6, 7 and 9 years old, Tennessee - 8 and 14 years old and 8 year old Kentucky bourbon.  The final blend is then matured further in Mizunara (Japanese Oak) barrels, further adding to the flavors and memorable drinking experience.  Mizunara Oak must be a minimu...

  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...