Bardstown Bourbon Co. Fusion Series #3

Sampled neat. This is my initial experience with the Fusion series from Bardstown. It's an intriguing combination of 13-year-old and 3-year-old bourbons. While it's an interesting strategy to use your own aged spirits in such blends, I question if the younger component can be improved by the older one. Hmm, the nose is both youthful and mature. A fresh pine scent mingles with a dark chocolate and oak element. It feels both dark and bright, like two distinct melodies playing simultaneously. There's a delightful salted caramel note, along with some pleasant cinnamon, a touch of nutmeg, and vanilla. I'm not picking up any fruit. The texture is somewhat thin but has enough oil to coat. This is predominantly a caramel experience. A bright, sweet, light caramel captures the palate before shifting to a darker caramel alongside the cinnamon. It then lightens again with vanilla, though the cinnamon persists through the finish. The pine note becomes more prominent as I continue sipping, indicating the younger spirits are quite noticeable. A hint of chocolate and oak emerges at the very end of the finish. I'm glad I had the chance to try it, but this is a one-time experience for me with Discovery Series 3. I can't justify the approximate $60 price tag when there are much superior options in the $40-60 range. It does, however, avoid the typical craft distillery bubblegum flavor, which suggests potential for their own distilled spirits in the future.

Nose: Not very pronounced. Palate: Burnt butter, bitter nut shells, rubbing alcohol. Finish: Ouch! Very hot for its proof, and unpleasantly so. I bought two immediately because Bardstown products aren't typically available in NC, but I wish I had only purchased one. Hoping the Fusion #4 I also have is better than this. Also, I'm REALLY hoping the Discovery Series lives up to the hype, as it's much more expensive. Sigh...

The scent is potent, with a lot of younger bourbon present. The rye character is unmistakable. Palate: Grapes. A blend of red and white. A little bit of wood shavings. Again, the rye is prominent, but it seems aged. This makes sense given it contains 30% 11-year-old whiskey. Finish: More of the same. Aged rye whiskey. A touch of citrus. Lemon and orange.

Opening aroma- Caramel tart apples, cider, dark honey. Taste- Cedar, charred oak, vanilla, cherry. Pie crust. Hints of roasted nuts. Some leather. Bits of spice. Finish- cherry and oak wood, vanilla, orange zest Surprisingly enjoyable. Just a bit of spice and intensity. A nice warming sensation. Lots of flavors to ponder.

Excited that this includes some of the company's own whiskeys. Similar to the main tasting note for this, I definitely detect the chocolate-covered pretzel aroma. I'm eager to see what else they release. This bottle was a gift from my wife for our first child, so it's especially enjoyable:)

This bourbon was quite pleasing. Expertly combined to provide initial vanilla sweetness, then developing deeper with caramel and cinnamon notes leading to a satisfyingly even conclusion. Smooth enough for sipping, yet possesses enough spice to confirm its robust rye foundation.