Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series Wheated Bottled in Bond Bourbon Review

The Origin Series Bourbons are the first whiskeys released by Bardstown Bourbon Company that were entirely distilled and bottled in-house and are 6 years old. The Origin Series Bottled In Bond Bourbon is a wheated bourbon. Steve Nally is the Master Distiller at Bardstown Bourbon Company. Previously,  Steve Nally was also a Master Distiller at Maker's Mark, where wheated Bourbon was their specialty. So, Steve has the knowledge, skill, and experience to make an excellent wheated Bourbon.

Tasting Notes

Nose: The nose has an impressive depth and elegance that opens with a subtle touch of cinnamon spice, with notes of leather, mild honey, warm cornbread, buttery caramels, and a little cherry. It's an interesting and pleasant combination, almost like a warm cinnamon coffee cake with a caramel drizzle on top. There is little to mild ethanol on the nose.

Palate: The palate is more prominent, with rich notes of caramelized sugar, toasted coconut, and a bit of apple butter and Luxardo cherries, leading to a creamy, buttery mouthfeel.  The creamy backbone of this whiskey is emphasized and comes together to form an easily drinkable 100-proof bourbon. A whisper of barrel char and some faint seasoned oak balances the palate, leaving a gentle warmth. A few drops of Old Limestone mixing water exposes some cinnamon spice and a toffee sweetness.

Finish: The finish is medium too long, with a mild green peppercorn spicy burn, bringing more caramel and a blend of apple, cherries, and orange rind. A hint of cinnamon, unsweetened graham cracker, and baking spice dominate the finish with a smidgen of oak tannins. The longer you sit with this Bourbon in a Glencairn, the more you'll get out of it.

Summary: This is a superb drinkable bourbon at 100 proof. I am a fan of wheated bourbons, and I especially love the flavors that become evident in them at a Bottle-in-Bond or higher proof. This Bourbon exemplifies every aspect of what a good Wheated Bourbon should be. The depth of flavor and smooth complexity was a welcome surprise. It's different from other wheated bourbons, like Maker's Mark, because of the whisper of char, seasoned oak, and spice in the finish. This provides a nice contrast to the initial sweetness. It does a nice job of leaning into its wheat component and pulls out sweet caramel and creamier notes along the way.

Additionally, it is non-chill filtered and an age-stated product that's also bottled in bond. Most importantly, though, it tastes great, and most consumers will be pleased with paying the asking price, especially since wheated bottled in bond bourbons are harder to come by. I recommend adding Bardstown Bourbon Company's Origin Series, Wheated Bottled-in-Bond, to your Bourbon collection!

At Bourbon Awareness, you can learn more about America's native spirit. Bourbon Awareness and Whiskey University's sole mission is to educate the public about the history and virtues of Bourbon, Tennessee Whiskey, and other various whiskeys.

See our website at bourbonaware.com and whiskeyuniv.com/nj-central-new-jersey-area. You can contact us at harrycasazza@bourbonaware.com