Style: Blend of straight whiskeys finished in Foursquare Barbados rum barrels
Age: 7-year-old rye and 17-year-old bourbon finished for 23 months in rum barrels
Proof: 107 (53.5% ABV)
Region: Bardstown, Kentucky
Bardstown Bourbon may be relatively new to the scene in Kentucky, but they’ve already made quite the impact. Beyond distilling, blending, and bottling delicious bourbons, the distillery is known for its ethos of innovation, transparency, and most of all collaboration. The latest entry in their Collaboration series is a collaborative project with Foursquare Rum. In recent years Foursquare has developed a reputation for high-end rums that prove that the category is worthy of the same respect as whiskey, tequila, or any other fine spirit. This blend of Kentucky whiskies is finished in Foursquare rum barrels at the top of one of Bardstown’s rickhouses for nearly two years in order to maximize the influence of the barrels. Is Foursquare’s influence enough to take this whiskey to the next level?
Tasting notes
The barrel influence on the nose of this whiskey is very intense – it’s oaky and sweet with vanilla and caramel and a hint of bananas foster. The influence of the Foursquare rum barrels really seems to shine on the palate. There’s a slight hint of charred pineapple and ripe mango juice that gives a nod to the Barbados rum that once rested in those barrels. The flavor of this whiskey is still clearly heavily aged rye and bourbon – it’s very rich and spicy with notes of vanilla and wet oak, but the hint of ripe tropical fruit from the rum finish elevates it to something exciting and different. The finish is satisfying and smooth with hints of cinnamon, nutmeg, and freshly cracked black peppercorn.
Final thoughts
Skepticism is warranted with most barrel-finished American whiskeys. This collaboration between Bardstown Bourbon Company and Foursquare Rum proves that with the right approach, a rum-finished whiskey can be outstanding. The combination of heavily aged bourbon and rye manages to pick up just enough fruity tropical funk from the Foursquare barrels to create something fun, unique, and absolutely delicious that any lover of American whiskey or Caribbean rum would enjoy.
