Bardstown Discovery Series 6

The Basics: 

Bardstown Bourbon Company

111.1 Proof

68% 11-Year KY / 16% 17-Year TN / 16% 7-Year IN

$130 MSRP

Nose:

Vanilla custard, shortbread cookies, Rolo candy, clove, and orange zest.

Palate: 

Mixed berry tart, honey roasted peanuts, cinnamon, orange zest, cherry cordial.

Finish:

Long finish with black cherry Coke and dark chocolate.

Bardstown Maison Ferrand

The Basics: 

Bardstown Bourbon Company

110 Proof

7-Year KY / 11-Year KY aged in Maison Ferrand cognac barrels for 8 months

$125 MSRP

Nose:

Raspberry cheesecake, pie crust, oak, and butterscotch.

Palate: 

Heavy oak, Ferrero Rocher candy, almond croissant, dates, and salted caramel.

Finish:

Medium-long finish with candied ginger and lemon.

Final Thoughts:

The most recent releases from Bardstown Bourbon Company include Discovery Series 6 (their standard high-end blend) as well as the Maison Ferrand, which is part of their collaborative series. The Discovery Series 6 includes a blend of straight bourbons ranging from 7 to 17 years while the Maison Ferrand includes a blend of straight KY bourbons ranging from 7 to 11 years, and aged for 8 months in cognac barrels. The Maison Ferrand brings forth strong oak notes from the nose to finish as well as distinct raspberry, Ferrero Rocher candy, and a touch of salted caramel. On the other hand, the Discover Series 6 leans more into the rich sweeter notes with Rolo candy, shortbread cookies, dark chocolate, orange zest, and a punch of black cherry cola to round out the long finish. Overall, both of these whiskies are really fun to drink and offer a wide array of flavors that you can pick up as you continue to sip on them. Before trying either of these I would have guessed that my favorite would be the Maison Ferrand, however, the black cherry cola note on the finish with a touch of orange zest coming from the 17 year TN whiskey pushed the Series 6 over the line as the winner!