Bardstown Bourbon Company: Fusion Series #1 Review

BOTTLE DETAILS

• DISTILLER: Bardstown Bourbon Company
• MASH BILL: A blend of 60% of Bardstown Bourbon Company’s two-year-old wheated and high-rye Kentucky bourbons along with 40% of 11 year 7 month bourbon from Kentucky
• AGE: NAS - No Age Statement
• YEAR: 2019
• PROOF: 98.9 Proof (49.45% ABV)
• MSRP: $59.99
• Buy Online: Wine-Searcher.com

LEE'S NOTES

NOSE: Vanilla Wafers  |  Malt  |  Red Fruit  |  Pepper

TASTE: Pepper  |  Vanilla  |  Cherries

FINISH: A short hint of vanilla is overwhelmed by the spice of the pepper creating a burn on the back of the tongue. Not only does the pepper linger but increases with each sip.

SHARE WITH: I would share this with anyone who wants to try a new craft bourbon.

WORTH THE PRICE: I would not buy a bottle of this if I were to see it on the shelf.

BOTTLE, BAR OR BUST: I suggest you try this at a bar or the tasting room prior to spending the money on the bottle. Presently this bourbon is only available in Kentucky but is coming soon to Indiana, Tennessee, Illinois, Northern California, and Southern Florida.

OVERALL: The Bardstown Bourbon Company bills themselves as the first Napa Valley style destination on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. The Bardstown Bourbon Fusion Series #1 represents the distillery’s first Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey and is a collaboration of their distillery, beverage and culinary teams. This is a blend of 3 different bourbons. Two of the bourbons, making up 60% of the blend are, from Bardstown Bourbon Company and are just over two years old. The remaining 40% of the blend is a sourced bourbon from Kentucky that is over 11 years old.

A sleek concept, new distillery, collaborative distilling program, and on-site full-service restaurant; Bardstown Bourbon calls themselves “the new blend of bourbon makers.”  So, what about the Fusion #1?

When I first tasted this right out of the bottle with about 10 minutes to breathe, I didn’t get much of a taste at all except the pepper. After letting the sample bottle sit for a few days, the bourbon did open up some revealing notes of vanilla and cherries on the palate ….. and pepper. A lot of pepper.

With each sip the pepper becomes more pronounced. So much so, that by the time I finished my pour my mouth had a hot lingering heat. Really almost to the point of a burn. Almost like eating a slice of pizza with red pepper flakes on it. All the pepper really muted any other taste in the bourbon. I like high rye bourbons and Four Roses Single Barrel comes to mind and I do like rye whiskies.

I’ve tasted cask strength 95% rye whiskies with less pepper than this. Somewhat surprising to me. The 11 year bourbon definitely tones down the youthfulness that makes up 60% of the blend.  This bourbon at $60 a bottle is just not for me.

ERIN'S NOTES

NOSE: New Leather | Vanilla | Dried Apricots

TASTE: Demerara | Cherry |  Peppercorn

FINISH: What starts as a fairly innocuous flavor ends with a peppery finish that climbs up the back of the throat and into the nose.

SHARE WITH: Those friends who are always jonesing to get their hands on the newest bottle out there (you know the type).

WORTH THE PRICE: For $60, this isn't worth the bottle price to me. The merits of the 11 year old are deeply muted by the raucousness of the younger whiskies, which yields an interesting sipper but not for the hefty price tag.

BOTTLE, BAR OR BUST: This bourbon is perfect to try at the distillery, along with their other offerings, to fully immerse yourself in their vision.

OVERALL: The Fusion series was crafted in the same vein as the Jefferson's Chef's Collaboration in that is was created with the input of the distillery's culinary team, as well as the onsite beverage program. I can appreciate that this bourbon does not pack a proof nor flavor punch that would overwhelm a rather piquant dish but, rather, serve as a complement to essentially whatever the imbiber is pairing it with.

As I mentioned before, the subtleties of the sourced 11 year old are somewhat lost to the more unbridled hotness of the younger bourbons produced by the distillery. I would have liked to taste the 11 year old shine through a bit more, and for the distillery to have chosen a less rye-laden mash bill for the majority of the blend. We shall see what Fusion #2 manifests as.

Overall, this spot has a serious eye for design, which stems from their self-professed Napa-inspired mission. From the amazingly gorgeous distillery to the packaging of the samples they sent, nothing is left up to chance. Bardstown Bourbon Company is a very deliberate brand, which makes me excited to see what they produce in the future. I'm very much looking forward to visiting this distillery, as I want to see first hand what makes it "the most sophisticated and technically flexible distillery in the nation." This makes me think this place is going to be producing quite a bit of playful stuff; I just hope they don't veer too far off the path in creating whiskies that become too oddball or niche, and sticking to the deliberateness they initially set out with. The only unfortunate part of the branding is that the distillery shares initials with another Kentucky BBC, the Louisville-based Bluegrass Brewing Company.

BRAND NOTES

The Bardstown Bourbon Company is a New Blend of Bourbon Makers, pushing the boundaries through innovation, while honoring the traditional art of making whiskey.

Set on 100 acres of active farmland in the heart of the Bourbon Capital of the World®, we produce the highest-quality Kentucky bourbon, whiskey, and rye brands as well as offer custom whiskey production through our one-of-a-kind Collaborative Distilling Program.

We are the first Napa Valley style destination on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail® to combine distilling, culinary, and beverage expertise to create a modern, authentic bourbon experience.

DESCRIPTION

Fusion Series #1 uses 60% of Bardstown Bourbon Company’s two-year-old wheated and high-rye bourbons to create a smooth, complex pour.

TASTING NOTES

Leather, roasted nuts, and rich caramel of old Kentucky Bourbon is countered with lively fruit and spice of the young Kentucky Bourbon. The result is a unique nose, rich palate, and a balanced, lasting finish.

“We are a new blend of bourbon makers pushing the boundaries through innovation, while honoring the traditional art of making whiskey. Bardstown Bourbon Fusion Series #1 is a celebration of our distillery, beverage and culinary teams working together to create spectacular bourbon.”

-BARDSTOWN BOURBON COMPANY PRESIDENT AND CEO, DAVID MANDELL

Disclaimer: The Bardstown Bourbon Company provided Bourbon & Banter with a sample of their product for this review. We appreciate their willingness to allow us to review their products with no strings attached. Thank you.