The Finest Rendition Yet of a Coveted Whiskey Phenomenon
Bardstown Bourbon Company “Discovery Series #7”
Blended Whiskey (750ml) ($139.99)
“This is easilty the best Discovery in years … What a find!”
— David Othenin-Girard, K&L Spirits Buyer

For a few years now, we’ve enjoyed tremendous success with the line-up of highly unique, expertly crafted whiskeys from Bardstown Bourbon Company. Eponymously named for the town at the epicenter of the Kentucky bourbon tradition, this distiller maintains a healthy respect for its roots while also pushing the innovative envelope in its blending practices and collaborative ventures. Their latest release, the “Discovery Series #7” shows the blending team in its finest form. The #7 edition is a big step in the series’ evolution, as for the first time, it includes whiskey distilled outside the U.S. The results are unconventional but also undeniably delicious. The K&L spirits team is well-versed in the singular character of the whiskeys in the Discovery Series, but the seventh edition has outdone them all. Buyer Andrew Whiteley calls it “one of the most compelling whiskies to date out of Bardstown, and that is saying something!” His colleague David Othenin-Girard was equally captivated, noting, “I just about fell out of my seat when I saw that this is a blended whiskey.” Like previous releases, the #7 edition is highly coveted by the most savvy collectors, and as word of the project’s exceptionally unique results starts to get around to a broader audience, we don’t expect to see it in stock for very long.

Bardstown Bourbon Company “Discovery Series #7” Blended Whiskey (750ml) ($139.99)

K&L Notes: We are seven releases in, and Bardstown Bourbon Company’s Discovery Series just gets better and better. The Discovery has always been about blending the best whiskey possible from meticulously sourced components and being transparent about what exactly went into the bottle. Discovery #7 marks a big shift in the blend and includes whiskey distilled outside of the United States for the first time. Here’s the mashbill breakdown: 31% of the blend is 12-year-old Kentucky bourbon with a mash of 75% corn, 13% rye, and 12% malted barley. 25% is 12-year-old Kentucky bourbon from 78% corn, 10% rye, and 12% malted barley. 21% of the blend is Ontario-distilled, 12-year-old, 100% corn whisky. 15% is 7-year-old Indiana Rye made of 51% rye, 45% corn, and 4% malted barley. And the final 8% is a whopping 17-year-old Tennessee distillate of 84% corn, 8% rye, and 8% malted barley. The end result of all this is an incredibly smooth and approachable whiskey that steps outside tradition not for the sake of innovation, but because the fabulous results justify the approach.

Andrew Whiteley | K&L Spirits Buyer | Review Date: May 13, 2022

Discovery. This is what happens when you drink this whiskey. You’ll discover that names aren’t as important as thoughtful, flavor-driven decisions. Controversial? Perhaps. Risky? Definitely. Worth it? Absolutely. One of the most compelling whiskies to date out of Bardstown, and that is saying something! My hat is off to the creators and blenders involved in this one. The color is mahogany. The nose is brimming with spice, fruit, wood, and fine leather. When thinking about the component whiskies, the cohesion feels like a surprise, but upon further reflection, it probably shouldn’t. It’s no different than any other thoughtfully created blend—they have just started with a more diverse set of ingredients. The mouth-feel is big and full. No sharp edges here. Just a nice kick from the 57.25% ABV. It feels fuller and more complete than the last several batches of Discovery. It’s almost like a great chef has been cooking with one hand tied behind his back. Now that hand has been untied, and the sky is the limit.

David Othenin-Girard | K&L Spirits Buyer | Review Date: May 12, 2022

I just about fell out of my seat when I saw that this is a blended whiskey. WHAT?! What an outrageously risky thing to do! I absolutely love it when companies do crazy stuff like this. If you’re not aware, this whiskey includes a not insignificant amount of old Canadian corn whisky, thereby removing it from the bourbon category. But what it lacks in nomenclature, it more than makes up for in quality. This is easilty the best Discovery in years, handily beating the excellent #6 and definitely better than #4 and #5. What’s so impressive about the Discovery #7 is how complete it feels. It certainly doesn’t feel at all outside the category (straight bourbon) and has a very old-school vibe to it, almost to the point of feeling slightly antique in the best way possible. Let’s have a go. The nose is a gorgeous conglomerate of dense red and black berry fruit, exotic spice, antique wood (sandalwood especially), freshly ground medium roast, and hints of honey-lathered saddle. Why you’d put honey on your saddle I don’t know, but leather and honey surprisingly go together, so I’m not judging you. The entry starts very sweet and honeyed as well, before being pushed back with a bold clove spice and some caramel-covered apple. The finish is long and surprisingly spicy with this gorgeous dusty note that gives it that antique feel that I love so much. This is a very modern whiskey in every way but flavor. An absolutely exceptional diversion from the last few batches and a welcome change that exemplifies the name perfectly! What a find!

Neal Fischer | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: May 13, 2022

I enjoy the Bardstown whiskeys quite a lot for the flavors created through their blending techniques, but I also like them a lot because of how transparent they are about their blending. On the side of all their labels, they will tell you what whiskey is going into the batch, including info on mashbill, age, and location of origin. They don’t mention distillery names, mind you, but in any given project, they are up front about how much is coming from their distillery along with other Kentucky distilleries or even whiskey sourced from farther afield. This bottle is the seventh batch in their Discovery series, and it’s my favorite yet in that project line. The ages of the whiskeys in the blend span 7 to 17 years, and that depth and maturity really come through in the glass. One of the most fun and peculiar elements is a 12-year-old, 100% corn whiskey coming from Ontario, Canada. This ain’t your typical blend! The nose begins with big, juicy, red cherry notes, dusty oak, varnish/polish, and a touch of pine before dipping into dried mixed berries, brown sugar, and cinnamon stick. With more time in the glass and air exposure, the caramel and brown sugar notes turn to vanilla bean with building perfume-level aromatics along with a lot of allspice and clove. The palate is more fruit-forward along with more intense baking spices. More orchard fruit and dried fruit characteristics step forward, and the whiskey has a good texture, nearing chewiness. The Discovery #7 stands at an impressive 114.5 proof, so adding water would be a reasonable consideration. Happily, a little water does not diminish the whiskey at all and offers a change many might love. More salted caramel notes come out. Other dessert-oriented or confectionary flavors emerge as well, like a very tasty candy corn note, but the presence of the spice characteristics remains, especially headed into the medium-long finish. This is quite a lovely whiskey.