One of our favorite spots to visit in Bardstown is the Bardstown Bourbon Company. Beyond having a great on-site bar and restaurant, Master Distiller Steve Nally has been turning out great bourbon under contract for scores of new brands. Recently they have released their own Origin Series, which includes their first 100% BBC product. Over the past decade they've offered annual releases, including blends of their own product in addition to long-aged bourbon, as well. Bardstown Fusion #7 shows what ridiculously good bourbon can be produced with blended spirits.
While Bardstown Bourbon Company produces bourbon for a number of brands, including Jefferson, High West, Belle Meade, Hirsch, Calumet, James E. Pepper, Cyrus Noble, their own brands have been flying off the shelves. We've enjoyed both of their Origin Series, including a high-rye and a Bottled-in-Bond wheated bourbon. The Fusion Series have been blending some of these and other younger expressions with older Kentucky bourbons.
The Tasting
The tall square bottle is the 7th in their Fusion Series and is bottled at 98.1. The label shares that this is a blend of no fewer than five different bourbons:
54% 3-year 75% corn, 21% rye, 4% malted barley
10% 3-year 60% corn, 40% rye
6% 3-year 60% corn, 26% rye, 10% wheat, 4% malted barley
20% 12-year 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley
10% 12-year 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley
The blend uses 70% of Bardstown Bourbon Company’s three-year-old high-rye bourbons and a four-grain bourbon, along with an older, sourced bourbon (likely from nearby neighbor, Heaven Hill. From the website, we’re expecting an exquisite contrast of vibrant nectarine with toasted almond and honey that leads to cedar and rich toffee with light tannin on the palate. An elegant finish showcases the delightful balance between youthful and aged Kentucky Bourbon. The Fusions Series typically can be found in the $55 - $65 price range.
Eye: Amber with an array of medium legs in my Glencairn glass.
Nose: Vanilla, oak char, and sandalwood, with creamy wood and sweetness blended together.
Palate: Smooth and silky, balanced between sweet vanilla and honey, balanced with more savory, spicy notes. I find some rye whiskey-like notes, with even some spearmint. Similar to the other Fusion Series we've enjoyed, this one does not disappoint.
Finish: Medium-to-long, with a drying oak finish laced with vanilla and spice that warms me from my toes to the tip of my tongue.
Overall: This is good ... but if you find it on a shelf with Fusion Series #8 - definitely grab the #8. I love the full disclosure on the Fusion labels, including the exact percentages of each whiskey used in the final product. In today's obscurities and vagaries, the honesty is truly refreshing.
It's not easy to blend a couple of whiskeys - let alone 5 whiskeys - and get the final product to taste like anything worth drinking. This is a very solid pour. As Bardstown Bourbon Company continues to age its products - like its Origin Series - and blends those with longer-aged spirits, this is a series that is only going to improve.
If you want to learn more about Bardstown Bourbon Company, including a rickhouse thieving experience and a great conversation we had with Steve Nally, check out our story here.