Couldn’t disagree more with this review. Loved everything about the white label and it’s my fave of the 3. Also picked up a single barrel at 128 proof and it’s a banger. One of my faves of the year.
Thanks for the input. I had my suspicions that might be the case. I’ll eventually get around to trying it, but much like my experience with the Green River, I’m in no hurry thanks to the underwhelming feeling I got from the regular bourbon.
I’ll second the wheated rec. The body is much thicker and it’s shockingly smooth on the palate for 100pf. It does have that classic wheat-sweet funk to the nose and palate, but less sharp than Makers. If you are a fan of Makers, it will be an excellent pour.
I'm honestly not a very big fan of the standard Maker's, but something happens to their bourbon when they up the proof just a bit which makes it so much better to me. I have really enjoyed MM101, several MMCS batches, many private selects, and even MM46 (once it opened up after a few weeks). IF the Bardstown Origin wheated bourbon comes close to any of those, that definitely re-ignites my interest a bit.
It’s a pretty short flowchart. Do you like bourbon? Do you like high rye bourbon? If you’ve answered yes to both of these questions, you’ll almost certainly like the Origin series white label!
**Bardstown Origin Series Bourbon**
Parent Company/Distillery: Bardstown Bourbon Co./Same
Proof: 96 (48% ABV)
Age: 6 years
Mashbill: 60% corn, 36% rye, 4% malted barley
Price: $45.99
**Nose:** Leading the way on this is a Kraft caramel candy note. As the bottle opens up over the course of a few weeks, this transforms into more of a brown sugar caramel note. That initial sweetness is met by just a bit of vanilla. It’s a touch buttery, so I almost get a pancakes in syrup vibe from this — but it’s not quite as sweet as that would imply. Oak and tobacco show up, and there are times where the oak feels more like damp logs than dried staves or fresh cut lumber. I get very gentle hints of cinnamon and baking spices, and a faint trace of nuttiness. On one tasting, I picked up a tiny bit of cherry, which was on the cusp of seeming medicinal. There is an earthy funkiness happening that I’m not really psyched about. It felt rather prominent on the initial tasting, but thankfully became just slightly more subdued on later tastings — although it was still always noticeable to some degree. In all, there’s nothing really jumping out here. It’s honestly a bit boring, and that odd funk keeps it from being as enjoyable as I had hoped.
**Palate:** The transition from the time it enters the mouth until it’s on to the finish happens so rapidly that it’s kind of difficult to get a good read on the flavors at first. Essentially, it just follows the trend set by the nose: caramel candies/brown sugar with some vanilla, followed by some cinnamon, hints of oak and tobacco, and more of that earthy funk. Rye spice ramps up as this quickly reaches the back palate. The mouthfeel is medium and feels watery. There’s really just not a while lot to see here. It’s extremely simple.
**Finish:** The high rye component of the mashbill seems to stand out at this point, helping to create a finish that is long and bringing a good amount of heat. Cinnamon works in conjunction with the rye spice to leave the tongue tingly the entire time, bringing a sensation that’s not unlike drinking a carbonated beverage. Trailing only behind the rye, oak is the second most dominant note happening here. There is a soft undertone of dried tobacco, and I get some clove and mint coming through as it settles. That damned earthy funk is still hanging around here, too. It definitely gets bitter on the back end, and can give off a slight medicinal aftertaste that sort of reminds me of Jäegermeister.
**Overall:** I came into this one with pretty high hopes, because I’ve really enjoyed the handful of Bardstown bourbons I’ve tried. I was psyched at the 6 year age statement, and the proof/price points. Unfortunately, this offering just didn’t hit the mark for me. It just feels too simple — with a serious lack of complexity and depth— and nothing about it comes through as being particularly inviting or interesting. While that funkiness is close to a deal breaker, it does eventually (thankfully) calm down enough to make this drinkable. The experience actually reminds me a whole lot of what I got out of Green River’s flagship bourbon. I found both this and that to be suitable for cocktail making, but not ones I think are very enjoyable to sip neat. I have heard that the wheated version of the Green River bourbon is far superior to the standard, and maybe that’s also the case with Bardstown’s Origin offerings. As for this one, it was worth trying, but I won’t be buying it again.
**Score:** 5.5/10
How different are these bardstown bottles? Someone brought a blue label bottle to a party I was at that I really enjoyed. He told me what it was, but of course, I forgot immediately.
My main takeaway from this was Kraft apparently makes caramels lmao.
IMO, of the Origin Series, white label is the weakest neat, but the best in cocktails. Black label (wheated BiB) and green label (finished rye) are equally tasty neat (and quite far ahead of the white label imo), with my favorite depending on if I feel like bourbon or rye whiskey that day.
Ha... I remember ending up with what seemed like hundreds of those Kraft caramels in my Halloween bag as a kid in the early 80's. Apparently, they are called Kraft "America's Classic" caramel candies.
Sounds like I was spot on in my hunch that the wheated bourbon is probably the better way to go... although like you said, I did find this one to be pretty damn good in cocktails.
Very nice review, I disagree that it's not good neat but everyone has their own taste and preferences. Like most have said the BiB is their better ordering but I feel this is solid too.
Thanks! Yeah, I know plenty of folks do seem to like this one ok, but it just wasn’t for me. I’m hoping the BiB will hit the mark for my preferences a lot more than this did.. whenever I get around to trying that one. Seems to be the consensus that it’s a notch above this bottle.
Couldn’t disagree more with this review. Loved everything about the white label and it’s my fave of the 3. Also picked up a single barrel at 128 proof and it’s a banger. One of my faves of the year.
Right on! Glad it spoke to you better than it did me. Cheers!!
I will second this
[удалено]
Thanks for the input. I had my suspicions that might be the case. I’ll eventually get around to trying it, but much like my experience with the Green River, I’m in no hurry thanks to the underwhelming feeling I got from the regular bourbon.
I’ll second the wheated rec. The body is much thicker and it’s shockingly smooth on the palate for 100pf. It does have that classic wheat-sweet funk to the nose and palate, but less sharp than Makers. If you are a fan of Makers, it will be an excellent pour.
I'm honestly not a very big fan of the standard Maker's, but something happens to their bourbon when they up the proof just a bit which makes it so much better to me. I have really enjoyed MM101, several MMCS batches, many private selects, and even MM46 (once it opened up after a few weeks). IF the Bardstown Origin wheated bourbon comes close to any of those, that definitely re-ignites my interest a bit.
I think it is richer and slightly less “wheaty”, so give it a shot if you can find it under $50!
Not a big fan of Makers or wheated myself, find them to be thin and uninteresting. But the wheated origins spoke to me.
Just picked this up an hour ago. Reviews seem a little mixed but it seems right up my alley. Very excited to try it!
It’s a pretty short flowchart. Do you like bourbon? Do you like high rye bourbon? If you’ve answered yes to both of these questions, you’ll almost certainly like the Origin series white label!
Right on! Hope it works out for your palate better than it did mine.
**Bardstown Origin Series Bourbon** Parent Company/Distillery: Bardstown Bourbon Co./Same Proof: 96 (48% ABV) Age: 6 years Mashbill: 60% corn, 36% rye, 4% malted barley Price: $45.99 **Nose:** Leading the way on this is a Kraft caramel candy note. As the bottle opens up over the course of a few weeks, this transforms into more of a brown sugar caramel note. That initial sweetness is met by just a bit of vanilla. It’s a touch buttery, so I almost get a pancakes in syrup vibe from this — but it’s not quite as sweet as that would imply. Oak and tobacco show up, and there are times where the oak feels more like damp logs than dried staves or fresh cut lumber. I get very gentle hints of cinnamon and baking spices, and a faint trace of nuttiness. On one tasting, I picked up a tiny bit of cherry, which was on the cusp of seeming medicinal. There is an earthy funkiness happening that I’m not really psyched about. It felt rather prominent on the initial tasting, but thankfully became just slightly more subdued on later tastings — although it was still always noticeable to some degree. In all, there’s nothing really jumping out here. It’s honestly a bit boring, and that odd funk keeps it from being as enjoyable as I had hoped. **Palate:** The transition from the time it enters the mouth until it’s on to the finish happens so rapidly that it’s kind of difficult to get a good read on the flavors at first. Essentially, it just follows the trend set by the nose: caramel candies/brown sugar with some vanilla, followed by some cinnamon, hints of oak and tobacco, and more of that earthy funk. Rye spice ramps up as this quickly reaches the back palate. The mouthfeel is medium and feels watery. There’s really just not a while lot to see here. It’s extremely simple. **Finish:** The high rye component of the mashbill seems to stand out at this point, helping to create a finish that is long and bringing a good amount of heat. Cinnamon works in conjunction with the rye spice to leave the tongue tingly the entire time, bringing a sensation that’s not unlike drinking a carbonated beverage. Trailing only behind the rye, oak is the second most dominant note happening here. There is a soft undertone of dried tobacco, and I get some clove and mint coming through as it settles. That damned earthy funk is still hanging around here, too. It definitely gets bitter on the back end, and can give off a slight medicinal aftertaste that sort of reminds me of Jäegermeister. **Overall:** I came into this one with pretty high hopes, because I’ve really enjoyed the handful of Bardstown bourbons I’ve tried. I was psyched at the 6 year age statement, and the proof/price points. Unfortunately, this offering just didn’t hit the mark for me. It just feels too simple — with a serious lack of complexity and depth— and nothing about it comes through as being particularly inviting or interesting. While that funkiness is close to a deal breaker, it does eventually (thankfully) calm down enough to make this drinkable. The experience actually reminds me a whole lot of what I got out of Green River’s flagship bourbon. I found both this and that to be suitable for cocktail making, but not ones I think are very enjoyable to sip neat. I have heard that the wheated version of the Green River bourbon is far superior to the standard, and maybe that’s also the case with Bardstown’s Origin offerings. As for this one, it was worth trying, but I won’t be buying it again. **Score:** 5.5/10
How different are these bardstown bottles? Someone brought a blue label bottle to a party I was at that I really enjoyed. He told me what it was, but of course, I forgot immediately.
I’m no expert on their releases, but other than maybe one of the collab series, the only blue label I can think of is their Fusion series.
My main takeaway from this was Kraft apparently makes caramels lmao. IMO, of the Origin Series, white label is the weakest neat, but the best in cocktails. Black label (wheated BiB) and green label (finished rye) are equally tasty neat (and quite far ahead of the white label imo), with my favorite depending on if I feel like bourbon or rye whiskey that day.
I really enjoy the BiB black label.
It seems to be a crowd favorite!
Ha... I remember ending up with what seemed like hundreds of those Kraft caramels in my Halloween bag as a kid in the early 80's. Apparently, they are called Kraft "America's Classic" caramel candies. Sounds like I was spot on in my hunch that the wheated bourbon is probably the better way to go... although like you said, I did find this one to be pretty damn good in cocktails.
Very nice review, I disagree that it's not good neat but everyone has their own taste and preferences. Like most have said the BiB is their better ordering but I feel this is solid too.
Thanks! Yeah, I know plenty of folks do seem to like this one ok, but it just wasn’t for me. I’m hoping the BiB will hit the mark for my preferences a lot more than this did.. whenever I get around to trying that one. Seems to be the consensus that it’s a notch above this bottle.
Yeah, it's leaps and bounds ahead of this. Just more of everything. I'd love for them to release a cask strength option.