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Bardstown Bourbon Company Maison Ferrand Finish II Review

What happens when you double the Cognac-cask finish on a Bardstown bourbon blend? This 111.8-proof release trades sweetness for a bold, sophisticated new character.

OVERALL RATING

7
$139.99
  • Jeff Bogursky, innovator turned wine seller, runs vintagekosher.com for rare bottles.
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Tasting Notes

About:

Bardstown Bourbon Company Maison Ferrand Finish II reunites the Kentucky whiskey producer with France’s renowned Maison Ferrand for a sophisticated Cognac-cask-finished whiskey. The release combines mature Kentucky whiskeys aged 9, 11, and 12 years with a 6-year-old high-rye whiskey distilled by Bardstown, then finishes the blend for an extended 15 months in Maison Ferrand Cognac casks.

The blend is a mashup of 73% 9-year Kentucky whiskey, 10% 11-year Kentucky, 10% 12-year Kentucky, and 7% 6-year Bardstown rye (95% rye mashbill). Bardstown then the 15-month Ferrand Cognac-cask finish, before finishing in the cognac casks.

Bottle details: 750ml • 111.8 proof / 55.9% ABV
Appearance:
Deep Gold
Nose:
Mild, toasted oak, green wood, caramel, fresh crushed peppercorns, orange peel.
Palate:
Small crackly fire on the tongue gives way to a sophisticated light sweetness, weighed by red wine. Fresh Cashew fruit, metal, green grass, dried banana and melted butter.
Finish:
Medium length; as the green grass fades, a citrusy memory evaporates.
Comments:
The original release of the Ferrand collab was only finished in cognac for 8 months. This new expression doubles that length to 15 months. Strong effect. Lowered the sweetness and raised the vegetable quality of the spirit. Still not the first bottle I’ll pull off my Bardstown shelf, but as always, an interesting step forward in alternative and sophisticated bourbon production.

Editor’s Note: This whiskey was either bought as a sample by The Whiskey Wash or provided to us as a review sample by the party behind it. Per our editorial policies, this in no way influenced the outcome of this review.

Jeff Bogursky

Jeff Bogursky is a restless innovator and entrepreneur. He started one of New York’s first digital agencies and developed software applications for decades, before simpliying his life by becoming a wine and spirits seller. His website vintagekosher.com specializes in hard to find and good to drink bottles.

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