Bardstown Bourbon Co. Discovery Series #4

I managed to obtain a 100 ml sample of this. Not having the bottle readily available is somewhat inconvenient, but considering it was complimentary, let's proceed with the tasting. Abundant sweet cherry-vanilla and caramel notes on the nose, reminiscent of a sweeter Four Roses SB limited edition combined with Woodford Double Oak, with just a subtle root beer tone. It's not as hot-spicy as I anticipated for the rye content, but the aroma is highly promising. The initial taste brings forth a wonderful sugar combination, and as expected, the rye spice follows closely. I detect a cola-like characteristic in the mid-palate, likely due to the well-aged rye component, but it's a very pleasing and well-considered balance. The sweetness is less noticeable on the finish, with a lingering hint of warm cinnamon toast. While it possesses warmth, as the proof would indicate, I don't experience any rough edges characteristic of young spirits. The aging of the source material is clearly evident, as even at its high proof, the warmth during consumption is remarkably pleasant. This marks my first experience with the Bardstown line, and it met my expectations! The flavors are truly astonishing, bringing to mind a fine Old Fitz but with a sweeter initial taste and greater sugar complexity. If you can locate it (and at a fair price), I highly recommend it. Cheers!

Served neat. First pour from the bottle. So excited. Discovery 3 is incredible, and people are saying this is superior. However, Discovery 3 used MGP, whereas this is entirely Kentucky bourbon. It will need to be truly exceptional to surpass Discovery 3 in my opinion. The initial aroma is quite remarkable. Very deep. Chocolate and coffee were the first notes that came to mind. Truly rich caramel. A mix of fruits – apples, blueberries. It's becoming lighter as it sits. Numerous spices. Cinnamon, clove, brown sugar. It's good, but somewhat muddled, as if the elements don't quite harmonize. Nice, creamy texture. Very sweet, with vanilla prominent towards the end. Powdered sugar as well. Transitions into an absolutely fantastic chocolate and caramel combination. Nougat. My goodness, it's like a liquid Snickers now that I detect a hint of peanuts. Oh my, the finish is equally intense. There isn't a varied progression with this one; the flavors that appear in the mid-palate simply persist. The oak becomes quite noticeable on the finish. Liquid candy. I do miss the MGP, but this is a robust whiskey. I just did a quick comparison, and Discovery 3 has a better aroma, but Discovery 4 is simply more delicious. Both bring me joy, and that's what matters most.

The scent is sweet, filled with fruits like peaches and cherries coated in caramel. Hints of leather, an old oak bookshelf, and wood finish suggest its age, likely over 15 years. Dark chocolate also lingers on the nose. The fruit and oak notes are wonderfully integrated. It enters with considerable heat and dry oak, followed by strong cinnamon, honey-roasted peanuts, coffee, and leather. The sweetness emerges later, with notes of cherry-orange compote, dark brown sugar, and toffee. The mouthfeel is good, though it could possess a bit more richness for its age and proof. The finish is incredibly smooth, featuring prominent notes of milk chocolate, coffee, and aged oak. It has good length, but isn't exceptional. I truly enjoyed the complex nose and robust flavors, but a lack of richness in the mouth and finish, along with a slight dip in complexity, prevented it from reaching the next level. These are minor points, though. This is an excellent whiskey. It might not justify the cost, however.

A dependable bourbon. I hadn't tried this distillery before, but had heard good things. I just found it in North Carolina. Definitely top-tier, with a subtle nose, pleasant oak influence, standard bourbon notes, a powerful rye presence, and hints of chocolate and berries. The finish is medium to long. 'Oaked Candy in a glass' is an apt description. I'd rate it higher, but the MSRP is $139. Considering what other top-shelf bourbons go for on the secondary market, that's a fantastic price. It nearly matches them, just falling a little short. When I can get those other bottles at retail for $99 occasionally, or even 12-year Elijah Craig Barrel Proof consistently for $59-$69, it makes it hard to rate this higher. Value is a factor, but don't skip it; it's great. (The cork alone might be worth $30, haha). Don't overspend or buy excessively. If it were priced between $79-$99, I'd buy it regularly, but $139 feels a bit steep. I'll stick with Elijah Craig 12 Year Barrel Proof, Old Forester 1920, and Jack Daniels Bottled-in-Bond, which are readily available for $59-$69.

This is likely the best bourbon in my collection currently. It offers a bit of everything: sweetness, nuttiness, oak, and char, all in perfect harmony. It has sufficient body to avoid tasting young or light, yet lacks excessive bitterness or tannins. My only regret is possessing just one bottle.

Nose: This really hits me with oak. Vanilla is the next strongest aroma. Peeking through, I detect some peach and black pepper. Palate: Oak and vanilla are still the primary flavors. The tastes are very vibrant. Finish: A pleasingly extended oak finish. There's a hint of smokiness before the vanilla arrives to add sweetness. Everything about this was remarkable.