Bardstown Discovery Series™ (# 9)
Overall Score: 7.25/10
Overall Value: 3.25/5
Distillery: Bardstown Bourbon Company
Classification: Blended Whiskey
Company: Bardstown Bourbon Company
Release Date: Spring 2023
Proof: 112.5
Age: 8 Years
Mashbill: Blend of bourbons
- 35% Georgia 8 Year
- 31% Kentucky 12 Year
- 19% Tennessee 17 Year
- 15% Ontario 12 Year
Color: Rose Gold
MSRP: $140 (2023)
The Barrel Bros’ Review
The nose of the Bardstown Discovery Series™ number 9 is captivating, offering notes of pecan pie with rich brown sugar and custard, reminiscent of a favorite fall dessert. A savory smokiness enhances the complexity, along with hints of grape, dark chocolate, and red fruits. Caramel, Lucky Charms cereal, and fruit gushers also add a delightful sweetness.
The mouthfeel is light yet flavorful, with nutty undertones similar to hazelnut and Nutella. The presence of oak is well-balanced, complementing the sweetness that evokes fruit roll-ups and grape. Leather, cola, and a subtle peanut butter cup flavor provide additional layers of depth.
The finish is impressive, featuring brown sugar and a smoke/char profile with a refined alcohol burn. Toasted marshmallows, red fruits, and a hint of honey create a long, complex finish, enriched by the gooey crème inside a Snickers.
Bardstown Discovery Series #9 offers an intriguing and complex experience, perfect for those who enjoy discovering new flavors in their whiskey. This $140 blend drinks like a special occasion pour, delivering the quality and depth expected at this price point. While it might be a splurge, it’s a worthy addition to any collection for celebrating special moments.
If you’re looking for specific notes from our Barrel Bros, read their individual reviews below!
Individual Reviews
The Rye Guy Says
Score: 7/10
Value: 3/5
THE NOSE:
I was immediately getting pecan pie on the nose, which is one of my favorite fall desserts.
The combination of rich brown sugar and custard is very alluring.
I also noted a savory smokiness that was present as well.
THE TASTE:
The mouthfeel is light but carries a lot of flavor. I still get the nuttiness, it's almost hazelnut, like Nutella.
It also had an enjoyable presence of oak that felt well-balanced.
THE FINISH:
Primarily brown sugar with a smoke/char profile.
There was a bit of an alcohol burn, but in a refined way that you expect from nicer bourbon.
I did notice that the oak flavor starts to become more prominent over multiple sips.
BUY OR PASS?
This felt like one of the more intriguing pours we have had recently. There is a lot to “discover” within this pour, along with some flavors you don't often experience.
If you’re someone who enjoys a more complex whiskey this is a good option that doesn’t sacrifice quality!
The Hunter Says
Score: 7.5/10
Value: 3.5/5
THE NOSE:
I get grape notes similar to a port, along with some dark chocolate and red fruits.
There’s also a delightful hint of caramel, Lucky Charms cereal, and fruit gushers.
You can tell from the nose that this is definitely a higher-end pour.
THE TASTE:
There’s a lovely sweetness paired with a nice proof punch.
It reminds me of a fruit roll-up with a bit of grape.
You’ll also pick up some leather, cola, and if you take your time, a really nice hint of peanut butter cup.
THE FINISH:
The finish is where it truly shines. There’s a slight toasted marshmallow flavor – one of my favorites in a bourbon.
Red fruits come through nicely, along with a long and complex finish, which you’d expect from a $140 bottle.
You’ll also catch some honey and the gooey crème inside a Snickers bar.
BUY OR PASS?
This blended whiskey absolutely drinks like a special occasion pour. Bardstown knows what they’re doing with these blends.
It may be tough for some to spend this much on a bottle, but you’d never be sad to have one on the shelf for celebrating special occasions. It delivers the complexity you want at this price point.
