Background

Coincidentally, it’s been exactly one year since I last checked in with Bardstown Bourbon Company. That was the release of their Origin Series, but alongside it we tasted the delicious Bardstown Discovery Series #9. So after a number of nudges from my friends I took President’s Day as an opportunity to check out DMV Spirits, a new-ish DC shop that lets you try before you buy. Lo and behold, the proprietor Michael and I ended up sitting down to try Disco 10 and 11 side by side. What better excuse to write up a review!

I’ve long since given up trying to guess or track Bardstown sourcing, though specs for each are here (Disco 10) and here (Disco 11), respectively. I will call out two things before we roll into the review:

1. Disco 11 includes a dash of Bardstown’s own, 6 year bourbon in the blend. Cool! It's not exactly a bold guess to assume as these stocks continue to age this will be a consistent trend moving forward.

2. Bardstown's Dan Callaway confirmed at the Jack Rose tasting that Disco 9’s 75/13/12 year bourbon was from an “Untamed Bird” distillery, so Wild Turkey. Disco 10 and 11 contain the same mashbill bourbon, but a year older. Seems pretty safe to guess they are blending more of their sourced Turkey barrels.

Bardstown Discovery Series #10 (6 Years, 114.24 Proof)

Nose: Cherry toaster strudel, peanut shell, peanut brittle… it’s a little muted, subtle, it doesn’t exactly draw you in.

Palate: Earthy and nutty. I’ve never pulled peanuts from the ground, but I imagine if you did this is about what it would taste like. There’s a little of those red fruit notes carrying over, but backgrounded against a more earthy and wood driven palate.

Finish: Cloves, oak, some spice, and definitely some of that earthiness. A touch muted and medium in length.

Very Good (6/10)

Overall: It’s nice… and that’s about where it tops out. It’s not super punchy with flavor, though it has a nice balance and a fun kick of spice on the finish. I wish some of those red fruits popped a bit more, but instead it’s more of a nutty earth pour. That’s fine! It’s just not my favorite.

Bardstown Discovery Series #11 (6 Years, 118.1 Proof)

Nose: Mixed berries, powdered sugar, occasional notes of butterscotch. It’s brighter, punchier than the Discovery 10. It draws you in.

Palate: Oh interesting! Christmas spices, pine, muddled wine, butterscotch again- this time more prominent than the nose. There’s a lot going on here, it’s got some wood, some spice, some fruit, some butterscotch… a fun palate.

Finish: Mulling spices, and now orange peel arrives along with some caramel corn. It’s spice driven though for sure, a robust end to a fun sip.

Excellent (8/10)

Overall: I could not stop smelling this, it was tantalizing. I’m also happy to report the rest of the sip lived up to the nose. It’s a rollicking, delicious pour that leaves you picking out notes at each pass through. I went back for another glass, then a third, just to keep ruminating on it.