Bardstown Bourbon Co. Discovery Series #11

I've had a few small servings of this, so it has been open for about 4-6 months before this evaluation. The aroma is a great blend of sweet and spice...some grassy/hay notes upfront. Next comes a solid dose of ripe fruit - cherry and pear. And there's plenty of caramel, brown sugar, and especially vanilla to support these. It's a complex aroma that offers a slightly different impression with a few drops of water. Overall, it's a phenomenal aroma that suggests good aging and great blending. The flavor is quite pleasant with more of the cherry presence, a bit more wood than the aroma would indicate, and some ethanol, though certainly not 'hot', as others might suggest...it drinks as advertised or a bit easier. Overall it's a sweet sipper, with the brown sugar and caramel reappearing on the palate. But while it is sweet, it remains somewhat complex and interesting, with much to discover if you take some time. Moderate viscosity...and slightly more than moderate length to the finish with just a mild burn. I believe this is a very nice pour. This is a personal bottle, but I had this alongside Discovery #10 and #9 at the distillery, and for me, this was the clear winner. Not difficult to find on the shelves at the price, but I suspect with a different label, this would be nearly impossible to find for 13-year-old spirit inside and this aroma and flavor profile. A success for the people at Bardstown...

Amazing! I tried this recently at an event and immediately bought a bottle! Smell: The first thing that hits is that classic old whisky varnish! Fantastic! Rich caramel and vanilla with notes of wheat, earth, and a dirty quality, like the cleanest version of that signature funky aroma you get from some whiskies. Also has a rich oak scent. It's very rich, yet the wheated whisky adds a clean, funky, and sweet element. Taste: Initially, it's just sweet kentucky bourbon. Quite good, but lacking something. However, a second sip reveals a flavor that lasts forever. The age is apparent and that touch of 6-year wheated bourbon works wonders with these older spirits. This differs from the previous versions, all of which were great (though I only had the first one and didn't manage to buy it). This bottling is richer and has a longer finish, without being as aged or perhaps as "classic high-end bourbon." Instead, it still possesses many excellent notes of high-end bourbon but has its own truly unique character, in my opinion. I'm giving it a 3.5. I think I'll get another. This bourbon is just too unique not to have a backup.

NEAT NOSE - Intense aroma. Dark brown sugar and maple. PALATE - A herbal spice hits the tongue right away, then a strong oak flavor with brown sugar and maple. 💧💧💧With just three drops, the NOSE reveals vanilla and caramel. The maple note also becomes more like table syrup, full of sugar. The palate still has a dominant oak note, but the herbal spice is softened, and vanilla emerges, along with the brown sugar and maple. FINISH - Lingering. Oak and herbal spice with a hint of vanilla at the end. BUY? - Yes. I am confident this will only get better with age. BUY AGAIN? - The cost of the Discovery Series always prevents me from stocking up, so no.

Predominantly cherry and wheat mash. A little muted at the beginning, it soon develops into a bubbly, wholesome cherry character. Oak barrel notes are noticeable in the taste and mouthfeel. The strength of the flavor masks the alcohol heat. The ending is bright cherry with less burn than anticipated for its 118 proof. Further tastings revealed some butterscotch. While I'm uncertain if it justifies a $130 price tag at retail, it's worth sampling at a venue if possible!

It might be my imagination, but I heard it contained wild turkey in this blend, specifically Russell's Reserve 13 (wild turkey mash bill at 13 yo), and it totally tastes like a smoother version of RR13. It might just be in my head, but it reminds me of RR13. And it's available. Easy to get and tasty.

Compared this directly with Russell’s Reserve 13 yr, and the unlabeled 13-year-old Kentucky whiskey making up 70% of this bottle tastes and smells identical to RR13. A beautifully balanced bourbon that justifies the price.