Bardstown Bourbon Company Unveils Cathedral French Oak Barrel Finish
Bardstown Bourbon Company has unveiled its new Distillery Reserve collection.
The Distillery Reserve collection presents experiments that explore flavor through wood, aging, finishing, and blending techniques. Each one-time-only release will be created from two to nine barrels and be packaged as a 375 mL bottle available exclusively at the distillery’s gift shops in Bardstown and Louisville.
The inaugural release in the Distillery Reserve collection, Cathedral French Oak, is a study in old whiskey, old wood, and long finishing. This blend of 100% Kentucky bourbons, aged between 9 to 18 years, was finished for 14 months in barrels made of 300 year old French Oak from the storied 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.
The recipe for Distillery Reserve Cathedral French Oak follows:
| Blend | Origin | Age | Mash Bill |
|---|---|---|---|
| 45% | Kentucky | 14 Years | 75% Corn, 13% Rye, 12% Malted Barley |
| 37.5% | Kentucky | 18 Years | 74% Corn, 18% Rye, 8% Malted Barley |
| 10% | Kentucky | 11 Years | 78% Corn, 13% Rye, 12% Malted Barley |
| 5% | Kentucky | 9 Years | 75% Corn, 13% Rye, 12% Malted Barley |
| 2.5% | Kentucky | 17 Years | 78% Corn, 10% Rye, 12% Malted Barley |
Distillery Reserve Cathedral French Oak is presented at 110.1 proof (55.05% ABV) and described as exhibiting “waves of maple, baked cherry, cinnamon, and cedar highlighted by vanilla cream and rose petal,” with “toasted oak and creme brûlée creating a rich, round palate leading to an extraordinary, lasting finish.”
Bardstown Bourbon Company Distillery Reserve Cathedral French Oak will be available in limited quantities for $99.99 starting February 28, 2025.
Source: Bardstown Bourbon Company.