Bardstown Bourbon Co. Destillaré Orange Curaçao Finish

It's December 2020, time to cap off the year with new whiskey daily, my personal whiskey advent calendar. Cheers! Dec. 2, 2020 Bardstown was big this year. I found this amazing brand early on and focused my 2020 bourbon hunting budget and time on their other offerings. This is the newest one available locally, a nine-year-old "Tennessee bourbon" (that labeling made me smile) treated to an Orange Curaçao barrel finish. Nose: Oranges with high acidity and low sugar. Not the juicy orange you crave, but more like orange soda, orange cough syrup, or orange-scented candles. A whisper of vanilla is hidden within. Palate: A full and flawless translation of the nose. This tastes like a mixed drink, or cough syrup. Finish: An intense cinnamon flavor that isn't hot. That cinnamon expression is fantastic. It's the best whiskey cinnamon finish I've experienced. It feels like someone took a great bourbon and ruined it. It pains me to admit this, as I truly love the Bardstown brand. This is definitively my least favorite Bardstown product so far, but it's not entirely without merit. The cinnamon finish remains exceptional. Faint traces of the original bourbon appear before the finish, but they're overwhelmed by the curaçao's influence. I mentioned it tastes like a mixed drink, and interestingly, serving it on ice really elevates it. The orange notes are far more palatable this way. Furthermore, it's incredibly good in an old fashioned. Try substituting half the Angostura with orange bitters and add this spirit. It's quite remarkable. If you're like me and hesitant to spend $140 on whiskey meant for mixing, serving it on the rocks is the best approach for this one. I likely won't repurchase, but that could change if I find I enjoy it enough chilled. 'Tis the season. My daily whiskey choice is spontaneous, so if you're reading this and there's something easily found you'd like me to experience (good or bad) this holiday, suggest it in the comments. Happy holidays and cheers!

Nose - I'm immediately struck by the prominent orange scent. I anticipated a typical bourbon aroma with just a hint of citrus, but the curacao is the star. Unfortunately, the orange aroma feels less refined, reminiscent of orange sherbet, snow cones, and candy, rather than the mature citrus notes I'd prefer in a bourbon. Despite this, the nose is still quite appealing and intriguing, with the orange notes mingling with baking spice, vanilla, and molasses, offering a pleasant change from most bourbon profiles. Palate - This is significantly better than the nose suggested. The orange is very pronounced but not overpowering. It's bright and refreshing, complementing the other whiskey flavors detected on the nose. To me, it tastes like a high-quality pre-made old fashioned. It would make a wonderful dessert bourbon or an interesting sample for guests, but I likely wouldn't choose it as my primary sipper. Simply put, it's bright orange citrus balanced by sweet brown sugar, vanilla, and baking spices. If orange pie were a beverage, this would be it. Finish - The finish is truly the highlight. Cinnamon spice unexpectedly emerges, leaving a pleasant warmth that pairs beautifully with the fading orange notes. The medium-length finish begins sweet and citrusy, gradually transforming into a warm cinnamon coating at the back of the mouth and chest. Conclusion - This bourbon is impressively distinctive, and I'm amazed that Bardstown could create such a strong orange profile without it feeling artificial or cheap. While it's not my preferred whiskey, and I generally favor more subtle flavors, it's still remarkable. As I mentioned, it's best served as a dessert bourbon or as an interesting option for guests. The main drawback is the $130 price tag for a whiskey intended for occasional use as a dessert drink or conversation starter.

Smells like Tang and orange juice, and I mean that positively. Tastes like an orange creamsicle. I expected to dislike the orange, but this is quite good; the base bourbon is solid, and this is uniquely appealing. A good after-dinner drink. 1/17/21

Among the most distinctively flavored bourbons I've encountered, with a clear orange liqueur scent and taste. It has a superb texture and a long, sweet finish. This spirit would be ideal for those who enjoy orange flavors or Old Fashioneds.

The distiller's orange notes are prominent on both the nose and palate. It's a sweet, accessible bourbon suited for dessert, and the combination is successful. The bourbon's underlying complexities are still detectable.

Nose - sweet, honey, and oranges Body - orange sherbert, old fashioned Finish - orange zest truly comes through here with powdered sugar I like this. Someone else is mistaken.