Cigar box | Cocoa | Citrus | Toasted oak | Surprisingly subdued

Black raspberry | Cherry | Juicy | Dark chocolate | Hazelnut | Roasted coffee beans | Creamy mouthfeel | Hint of rye spice on the backend

Rye spice intensifies | Cocoa | Fresh black cherry | Medium length

According to Bardstown Bourbon Company, “the Collaborative Series marks exclusive offerings of extremely limited bourbons finished in wine, brandy, beer and other spirits barrels. Prior releases include Phifer Pavitt, The Prisoner, Copper & Kings, Maison Ferrand and more.” According to Marketing Director Brooke Berry, “our collaborations are an expression of our commitment to community and alchemy. Bardstown Bourbon Company is a neutral ground for the sharing of ideas and best business practices in distilling, the culinary arts and hospitality.”  

Bardstown brings together two of my favorite things with this release: bourbon and Founders KBS Stout. Considering this starts with a 10 year old Tennessee bourbon (presumably distilled by Cascade Hollow/George Dickel based on the mashbill) and then finishes it for a long 15 months in ex-KBS barrels, it shows no obvious signs of Dickel bourbon or KBS stout. This is especially notable on the nose, which is surprisingly subdued but still present and enjoyable. The whiskey comes alive on the palate, but manages to ground its flavors in the base form, giving no indication of its distillery origin or the fact that it was finished in ex-beer barrels. The integration of flavors is spot on in the palate, with highlights of dark chocolate, cherry, and roasted coffee beans. Spice intensifies in the finish, but the whiskey never quite reaches the intensity you might expect for 110 proof. Overall, it’s an exceptionally well-integrated marriage of whiskey and beer barrel finishing, though those looking for a little more front-and-center influence from the ex-KBS barrels will probably be a bit disappointed.