Bardstown Origin Series Rye 750ml
A Modern Kentucky Rye with a Distinctive Cherry Wood Finish
Short Little History
The Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series Rye is part of Bardstown Bourbon Company’s core collection of 100% estate-distilled Kentucky whiskeys. Produced, aged, and bottled at the Bardstown Bourbon Company distillery in Bardstown, Kentucky, this six-year-old Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey showcases the distillery’s approach to combining traditional whiskey-making with modern finishing techniques.
What makes this rye particularly distinctive is its secondary barrel finish. After aging for at least six years, the whiskey is finished for up to six months in a custom hybrid barrel featuring alternating toasted American oak and cherry wood staves. The result is a rye whiskey that brings together classic rye spice with pronounced fruit and toasted oak character.
Key Features
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Whiskey: Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey
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Distillery: Bardstown Bourbon Company
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Origin: Bardstown, Kentucky
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Age: 6 years
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Mash Bill: 95% Rye, 5% Malted Barley
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Proof: 96 Proof / 48% ABV
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Bottle Size: 750ml
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Finish: Hybrid American oak and cherry wood barrels
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Finishing Time: Up to 6 months
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Production: 100% estate-distilled
The 95% rye mash bill gives this expression a distinctly rye-forward foundation, while the custom cherry wood and oak finishing barrel adds layers of ripe fruit, toasted wood, and baking spice.
Tasting Notes
Nose: Ripe cherry and toasted oak lead the way, followed by delicate white floral aromas, fresh dill, and warming cinnamon.
Palate: Rich and rounded, with waves of ripe fruit complemented by toasted oak and classic rye spice. The 95% rye recipe provides a lively spice character while the cherry wood finish contributes additional depth and fruit-forward richness.
Finish: Long, warming, and distinctive, with lingering cherry, toasted oak, cinnamon, and rye spice.
Bardstown Bourbon Company describes the whiskey as featuring ripe cherry alongside toasted oak, white flower, dill, and cinnamon, followed by a rich, round mouthfeel and a lingering finish.
Awards & Accolades
The Bardstown Origin Series Rye has earned notable recognition from major spirits competitions, including:
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San Francisco World Spirits Competition — Double Gold, 2024
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San Francisco World Spirits Competition — 97 Points, 2024
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Ascot Awards — Gold, 2023
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L.A. Spirits Awards — Best Whiskey Overall, Best Rye Whiskey & Platinum Medal
These accolades add to the recognition surrounding Bardstown Bourbon Company’s Origin Series and its innovative approach to Kentucky whiskey.
Overall Expression
Bardstown Origin Series Rye is a distinctive Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey that balances a traditional 95% rye foundation with an innovative cherry wood and oak finishing process. At 96 proof, it delivers enough rye spice and structure to satisfy traditional rye whiskey drinkers while offering an appealing fruit-forward character from its custom secondary barrel.
The combination of six-year aging, 95% rye, toasted oak, cherry wood, and a 96-proof bottling makes this a particularly expressive American rye whiskey. It works beautifully as a sipping rye for those looking to explore modern Kentucky whiskey, while its combination of fruit, spice, and oak also makes it an excellent choice for elevated rye whiskey cocktails.
For fans of Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey, high-rye whiskey, Bardstown Bourbon Company, and innovative American whiskey finishes, the Origin Series Rye offers a compelling expression of how traditional rye whiskey can be pushed in a new direction.
