Bardstown Bourbon Company Unveils Hokkaido Mizunara Oak Barrel Finish
Bardstown Bourbon Company has unveiled the latest release in its Distillery Reserve collection: Hokkaido Mizunara Oak Barrel Finish.
The Distillery Reserve collection presents experiments that explore flavor through wood, aging, finishing, and blending techniques. Each one-time-only release is created from two to nine barrels and is packaged as a 375 mL bottle available exclusively at the distillery’s gift shops in Bardstown and Louisville.
Hokkaido Mizunara Oak Barrel Finish was created by blending 9-18 year old straight whiskies from Kentucky, Indiana, and Tennessee, and finishing said blend in six, 66-gallon barrels made of Japanese Mizunara oak for 28 months. The finishing journey began on Bardstown’s distillery grounds in Warehouse H, in a custom room specifically built to accommodate large barrels. Bardstown claims this area sees wide temperature swings and rapid extraction, resulting in an increase in proof and strong influence from the Mizunara Oak. Barrels were then transferred to the center of the first floor of Warehouse E, one of Bardstown’s largest rickhouses. Bardstown claims this area slowly concentrated the flavors and eased them into the correct balance.
The recipe for Hokkaido Mizunara Oak Barrel Finish follows:
| Blend | Origin | Age | Mash Bill |
|---|---|---|---|
| 47% | Kentucky | 15 Years | 75% Corn, 13% Rye, 12% Malted Barley |
| 33% | Kentucky | 14 Years | 78% Corn, 10% Rye, 4% Malted Barley |
| 15% | Indiana | 9 Years | 45% Corn, 51% Rye, 4% Malted Barley |
| 5% | Tennessee | 18 Years | 84% Corn, 8% Rye, 8% Malted Barley |
Hokkaido Mizunara Oak Barrel Finish is presented at 109.3 proof (54.65% ABV) and described as exhibiting notes of “rich caramel, toasted oak, and vanilla, with layers of sandalwood, subtle coconut, and a delicate whisper of incense.”
Bardstown Bourbon Company Hokkaido Mizunara Oak Barrel Finish will be available in limited quantities for $99.99 starting July 11, 2025.
Source: Bardstown Bourbon Company.