As I mentioned a few weeks ago, I am a “fanboy” when it comes to the Bardstown Bourbon Company and feel as though I have not given this company the credit they deserve. To make up for this lack of appreciation, I will continue to review several of the other Bardstown Bourbon Company bottles I have in my collection over the next several months. For those unfamiliar with Bardstown Bourbon Company, this company is known for blending, finishing, and collaborations of whiskies for their releases and several other small and well-known companies. However, they have announced that in 2023, they will start releasing their distillate in a new “Origins Series.” With that said, today’s review is of the Bardstown Bourbon Company Collaborative Series Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished in Plantation Rum Barrels.

From the Bardstown Bourbon Company Website: Savor the latest addition to this innovative series with our plantation rum release — 10-year-old Tennessee bourbon finished for 22 months in Plantation Rum barrels. Orange peel, allspice, and cinnamon highlight layers of banana bread with rich caramel. On the palate, apple crisp and molasses lead to a balanced finish of fruit and spice, rounding out this luxurious, summer sipper.

In Northern Colorado, it has become easier to find Bardstown Bourbon Company’s Fusion and Discovery Series. However, their Collaboration and Finishing Series bottles are still difficult to find throughout the region. Overall, this was again a great bottle of finished bourbon whiskey, yet I found this bottle to be a bit too ethanol-forward and not as balanced as past releases. Now I could go down the rabbit hole, and guess that this lack of balance might be due to my dislike of a certain Tennessee whiskey that uses this same mash bill; I often get a lasting minerality that causes an unbalanced experience from this unmentioned distillery. Now I can not confirm that this is their distillate, so, unfortunately, I will just say that this is not my favorite collaboration series bottle, and I would recommend trying this before buying it; depending on the sensitivity of your palate to minerality. With that said, let’s get our taste on!

• Nose: A Bit Ethanol Forward with Notes of Vanilla, Brown Sugar, Banana, Baking Spices, and Bread Dough
• Palate: Brown Sugar, Vanilla Cream, Molasses, Banana, Baking Spices, and Dry Oak
• Finish: Medium to Long with Notes of Lingering Minerality, Dry Oak, and Baking Spices
• 2022 MSRP: $159
• 2022 National MSRP: $171
• Proof: 110
• My Rating: Mix It! (I have a hard time with that lasting minerality finish)

Please remember, drinking bourbon is a personal adventure, so do not be afraid to drink it neat, with ice, or add some water. It’s your bourbon, you bought it, and you should enjoy it how you want to enjoy it!

Cheers! Prost! Sláinte!

Bourbon Bossman