Style: Straight rye whiskey finished in Amrut Indian malt whisky barrels blended with straight bourbon whiskey
Age: No age statement, youngest whiskey in blend is 8 years old
Proof: 110 (55% ABV)
Region: Bardstown Kentucky
Among the more recent additions to Kentucky’s fraternity of bourbon distillers, Bardstown Bourbon Co. might be the most ambitious. Their ongoing Collaboration Series might be the best example of their forward-thinking process. Past collaborations have seen Bardstown use barrels that formerly held Amaro Nonino and Foursquare rum to add a unique burst of flavor to their whiskies.
The latest addition to the Collaboration series is a partnership with India’s Amrut malt whisky. Bardstown took two ryes distilled in Indiana and aged 8 and 9 years and finished them for 18 months in barrels that once held Amrut whisky. They then blended the finished rye with three Kentucky bourbons, aged 10, 11, and 14 years respectively. Let’s see how this new entry in the Collaboration Series stacks up.
Tasting notes
The nose on this whiskey is full of cherry, baking spice, and a velvety note of butterscotch. Once sipped, it’s very warming with notes of cinnamon and ginger, paired with a syrupy, malty sweetness and a background of barrel char and black pepper. A pop of fresh mint and Thai basil is a reminder that this blend is composed primarily of rye. Over multiple sips, the flavors mix and The mouthfeel is balanced, it coats the tongue and palate with just enough viscosity to hang around. The finish is very nice, presenting notes of creme brulee, black pepper, black cherry, and maple.
Final thoughts
At risk of sounding hyperbolic, this is one of the best whiskeys I’ve tasted in 2024. It’s incredibly deep, rich, and complex. With many American whiskies finished in spent barrels, the character imbued by the other barrel more often than not tends to take center stage. Across all creative fields, with any collaboration the goal should be to create something that is greater than the sum of its parts. To my palate, this whiskey achieves that beautifully. The influence of the Amrut barrels contributes a rich, malty character without being too cloying and the well-aged rye and bourbons are elevated by the malt whiskey influence. Bardstown Bourbon Company has reinforced its reputation for creative and effective blending with this release. I can’t wait to taste what’s next.
