Like the Distillery Collection, these are one-off releases drawn from experiments with wood, aging, blending, and finishing techniques. And they are very limited, as little as two barrels. The big distinction here is the packaging size, a 375ml bottle, which seems like a smart, and frankly long overdue, move for an expensive limited edition. Let\u2019s hope other distilleries are taking note.<\/p>\n
To launch this new line, Bardstown Bourbon Co. is pulling out all the stops with a blend of extra-aged bourbons finished in 300 year old French oak barrels to achieve what the distillery\u2019s marketing ninjas have dubbed a Cathedral French Oak Finish. More details from the team at Bardstown:<\/p>\n
\nDistillery Reserve will commence with Cathedral French Oak, a whiskey with a story as rich and complex as its flavor profile. This blend of 100 percent Kentucky bourbons, aged between 9 to 18 years, was finished for 14 months in barrels made of 300-year-old French Oak from the legendary Berc\u00e9 Forest in the Loire Valley.<\/p>\n
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. Their intricate grain and unparalleled density, strong enough to restore the Cathedral\u2019s famed spire, infuse the whiskey with a character as profound as the history they represent.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese truly singular barrels brought tremendous character to the bourbon. The key was to integrate the commanding barrel flavor with a powerful blend of long-aged bourbons to achieve the balance that lets each part shine,\u201d said Callaway. \u201cThis exquisite whiskey is a most devout showcase of the cultural legacy of France married to the pioneering spirit of American Whiskey.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Bardstown Bourbon Co. Distillery Reserve Cathedral French Oak Finish Review
<\/strong><\/span>
On the nose, this is a dark, sultry bourbon with a big oak profile, big even for the length of finishing and style of cask. Early notes of cigar box, tobacco leaf, and wood smoke are earthy and bold, but undertones of black cherry, dark maple syrup, coffee grounds, and chocolate shavings add a gentle sweetness and complexity that gives the aroma considerable elegance.<\/p>\nThe palate is similarly oak-forward and should be familiar to fans of double-oaked bourbons. Still, I\u2019m not sure there are many double-oak expressions out there with quite this much noticeable maturity and concentration of flavor. Top notes of burnt sugar, licorice, and blackberry cobbler give way on the midpalate to bananas foster and cocktail cherry, toasted marshmallow and chewy, walnut-filled brownies. The mouthfeel is impressively round and velvety with a gentle, black pepper warmth that simmers across the sip. Despite the fruit and dessert notes, all of that expressive oak keeps things a touch dry and piquant until the finish, which is long and warming with waves of maple fudge, vanilla custard, and cinnamon syrup. Incredible stuff and a worthy excuse to visit the distillery\u2019s Bardstown or Louisville locations (if any is still left on the shelf).<\/p>\n
110.1 proof.<\/p>\n
A \/ $99 (375ml)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n
\n\n
Bardstown Bourbon Co. Distillery Reserve Cathedral French Oak Finish<\/h2>\n
\t\t\t\t$99<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.drinkhacker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/image001-9-e1744149317476-525x667.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Bardstown](\"https:\/\/www.drinkhacker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/image001-9-e1744149317476.jpg\")