Bardstown Bourbon Co. Discovery Series 11 Review

BOTTLE DETAILS

• DISTILLER: Bourbon from Bardstown Bourbon Co. and two unidentified distilleries.
• MASH BILL: Distillery 1: 73% of the total blend at 13 years old: 75% Corn | 13% Rye | 12% Malted Barley. Distillery 2: 21% of the total blend at 10 years old: 78% Corn | 13% Rye | 9% Malted Barley. Distillery 3: Bardstown Bourbon Co., 6% of the total blend at 6 years old: 68% Corn | 20% Wheat | 12% Malted Barley
• AGE: 6 years
• YEAR: 2023
• PROOF: 118.1
• SRP: $139.99
• BUY ONLINE: Currently out of stock online

STEVE’S NOTES

SHARE WITH: Any bourbon fan.

WORTH THE PRICE: Not quite. It’s a bit high, but still a really good and unique bourbon. Read on.

BOTTLE, BAR OR BUST: Bar

OVERALL: Often, when I cook dinner, I pour something in the review queue to get acquainted with it while I work, listen to a book and sear the devil out of whatever protein is on that night’s menu. I’ve really enjoyed doing that with Discovery 11 because it’s not only good, it generally goes well with whatever I’m nibbling while I work.

Loads of tropical fruit and lilac lead on the nose followed by orange lemon zests and a hint of dried grain. The deeply toasted oak reminds you that a 13-year-old bourbon makes up the bulk of this blend. At 118 proof, it invigorates the palate, opening it up to taste old standards such as light caramel, browned butter and dark honey in subsequent sips. There’s not much complexity here, but it’s got a lot of easygoing charm all the same. I usually appreciate a super-approachable whiskey like this one, but at $139.99, I expect more. It’s nicely spicy from front to back and leaves a warm trail of baking spices on the finish. It is an all-around good pour that deserves some charcoal-grilled fish and a great chocolate brownie to accompany it.

BRAND NOTES

Our Discovery series highlights the art of blending, creating exciting expressions that together are greater than the sum of its parts. Through artfully combining rare and exemplary whiskies we discover from all over the world, this series pushes the boundaries of innovation by creating completely unique flavor profiles and styles. Each release gives you something new to discover.

Discovery #11 offers rainier cherry, butterscotch, brown sugar and roasted peanut on the nose, then a spirited palate of toffee and cinnamon spice, followed by a finish of ripe red fruit and oak.

Disclaimer: Bourbon & Banter received a sample of this product from the brand for review. We appreciate their willingness to allow us to review their products with no strings attached. Thank you.