Bardstown Bourbon Company is once again aiming to stretch the boundaries of American Whiskey innovation with its latest collection of new whiskies, Distillery Reserve.
Cathedral French Oak Finish, the inaugural release in the Distillery Reserve Collection, marries revered tradition with experimentation and is available beginning February 28.
300-year-old French Oak Barrels
According to Bardstown Bourbon Company, the Distillery Reserve Collection is the embodiment of the ethos “Never Stand Still.”
Ranging from two to nine barrels, these releases bring to the public for the first time selections from hundreds of experiments that explore flavor through wood, aging, finishing and blending techniques.
“The core of our brand has always been innovation, transparency and collaboration but these values mean little without respecting and building on the foundation of tradition,” said Dan Callaway, Head of New Product Development for Bardstown Bourbon Co. “Distillery Reserve expresses that reverent, yet pioneering spirit, offering us a platform to showcase immense creativity and house some of the experiments tucked throughout our warehouses.”
The Distillery Reserve Collection kicks off with Cathedral French Oak.
This blend of 100 percent Kentucky bourbons, aged between 9 to 18 years, was finished for 14 months in barrels made of 300-year-old French Oak from the legendary Bercé Forest in the Loire Valley.
This plot of giant trees, planted during the reign of Louis XIV (circa 1715), was harvested to restore the iconic Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris following the fire of 2019.
Their intricate grain and unparalleled density, strong enough to restore the Cathedral’s famed spire, infuse the whiskey with a character as profound as the history they represent.
“These truly singular barrels brought tremendous character to the bourbon. The key was to integrate the commanding barrel flavor with a powerful blend of long-aged bourbons to achieve the balance that lets each part shine,” said Callaway. “This exquisite whiskey is a most devout showcase of the cultural legacy of France married to the pioneering spirit of American Whiskey.”
Bottled at 110.1 Proof
The resulting union presents waves of maple, baked cherry, cinnamon, and cedar, harmonizing with notes of vanilla cream and rose petal.
Toasted oak and crème brûlée create a rich, round palate leading to an extraordinary, lasting finish.
Each Distillery Reserve offering is packaged as a 375 mL.
Distillery Reserve Cathedral French Oak is presented at 110.1 proof (55.05% ABV) and will be available in limited quantities for $99.99.
Cathedral French Oak is sold exclusively at the distillery’s gift shops in Bardstown and Louisville.
For more information, visit BardstownBourbon.com.
