Two New Whiskeys from Bardstown Bourbon Put Experimentation Front And Center

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The American whiskey market has shifted dramatically over the past decade. Consumers are more willing than ever to pay triple-digit prices for bottles that push boundaries, a trend visible across the market as distillers expand into new finishing techniques, experimental wood programs, and high-end limited editions.

In that environment, Kentucky’s Bardstown Bourbon Company has emerged as one of the category’s most adventurous producers, known for blending transparency, frequent collaborations, and a willingness to test ideas that more traditional houses might avoid. Their recent release of a Mizunara Oak-finished blend earlier this year was bold and interesting, and that ethos is on display again with the recent release of two new whiskeys.

Discovery Series #13: Double Barreled and Collaborative Series: Maison Ferrand Finish II debuted nationwide at $139.99 each, and together they showcase two pillars of the distillery’s identity: its in-house blending program and its international partnerships.

Discovery Series #13: Double Barreled

The Discovery Series has long served as Bardstown’s playground for blenders, and its thirteenth installment is the first to use a double-barreling technique. Kentucky straight bourbons aged eight to fifteen years were divided and finished separately in American white oak and Hungarian oak before being married back together and bottled at 110.8 proof.

Hungarian oak has been a vehicle for experimentation in both the wine and spirit world. A. Smith Bowman, for example, released the final expression in its sought-after Oak series that highlighted a finish in Hungarian oak. Given that the release is available only by lottery, the consumer demand for this European wood finish seems to be strong.

That strength is matched by the powerful notes the finish leaves in the liquid, which is bold, heady and complex. In fact, all the aspects of the Discovery Series come on strong: at 55.4% ABV, it’s no slouch, and it’s a perfect fit for the upcoming winter months that welcome a warm, invigorating dram.

Collaborative Series: Maison Ferrand Finish II

The Collaborative Series, by contrast, highlights Bardstown’s partnerships with international spirits makers. This year’s installment marks the second time the distillery has worked with Maison Ferrand, the Cognac house led by Alexandre Gabriel. The Ferrand brand has carved out an interesting niche in the spirits world, with a diverse set of distilleries ranging from French gin to their award-winning Planteray rum distilled in Barbados.

For this release in particular, the juice is a blend of Kentucky straight bourbon and rye, which spends fifteen months in Ferrand Cognac barrels before bottling at 107 proof. Technically, it’s not a bourbon—it’s a blend of Kentucky straight whiskey.

Regardless of the nomenclature, the whiskey has already earned Double Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, an accolade that underscores Bardstown’s ability to merge American whiskey character with French refinement.

That shows in the flavor, which is delicate, sweet, and a genuine pleasure to sip. Despite being more than 55% ABV, the amber whiskey drinks way below its proof point, and has a rich, playful nose. All in all, the Ferrand II collaboration is a standout example of what happens when blending and finishing all hit their mark.

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For Bardstown, the timing is intentional: the releases arrived right as the industry geared up for Bourbon Heritage Month this September. By putting forward both a wood-focused experiment and an big-name intercontinental crossover, the distillery reminds consumers that it highlights innovation without losing sight of tradition.