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Bardstown Bourbon Company filled their first barrel of bourbon in September, 2016. From the very beginning, they had plans to not release anything they distilled by itself until it reached at least six years of age. Enthusiasts finally got their moment at the end of 2022 when their “Origin” line was launched. We were rewarded with not just one, but three primary mash bills (a wheated bourbon, ryed bourbon and rye whiskey).
Those three were not the whole story, though, because behind the scenes BBCo had been distilling upwards of 40 different mashbills for clients or projects of their own. They had also planned to start a single barrel pick program shortly after Origins came out – with a twist thrown in the mix. Some single barrel groups had the option to opt into the “Future Series” program
What is Bardstown Bourbon Company Future Series?
Say a company contracted 1,000 barrels of bourbon to be made in a non-standard BBCo mash bill. BBCo would get to work, but since distilling isn’t always exact, they probably produce a few extra barrels each run. BBCo probably offers the customer the option to buy the extra barrels, but if the customer declines, they would have to find a way to use them.
This is where the Future Series comes into play. BBCo approaches single barrel groups to see if they want to opt into the program to select from the barrels that are in limbo. Each year, they’d assess the number of orphaned barrels and know how many they could offer to single barrel participants. I’ve heard that participants that opt in to the Future Series can potentially pick from up to 16 different mash bills.
I’m not exactly sure who makes the call on when those early barrels are “fully mature,” but it seems as if the customer does. My big question is just how often do the groups get to sample their barrel to know when it’s done? If you have experience with the Future Series and can tell me, drop a line in the comments.
Bourbonfinds picks a Single Barrel of 75/15/10 Bourbon
The pick group “Bourbonfinds” was one of maybe 20 early adopters to get into the Future Series program in 2023 and picked an interesting 75/15/10 mash bill. If you’re wondering where you’ve heard that mash before, there are a couple versions. The first example is from old article and online forums that say it was the mash bill used for Very Old Barton.
There also seems to have been a limited amount of barrels made between 2000 and 2014 that randomly pop up among non-distiller producers (NDPs) like High West (in the first Bourye release), Old Commonwealth, Seelbach’s own label and Backbone Bourbon Company. At first, I thought it was all Barton, but recently I have stumbled upon some industry insider info that points to it being from Heaven Hill. The reason why it doesn’t taste like Heaven Hill is because they made it for a customer that wanted their own yeast to be used rather than HH’s proprietary jug yeast.
I have a quick theory on why Bardstown Bourbon Company is producing this mash bill now – it’s probably because whoever the customer was in the past has probably been shopping around quotes on who else could produce it and Bardstown Bourbon Company was ready and willing.
So how does it taste? Let’s find out. I sampled this neat in a glencairn.
Tasting Notes
Nose: Classic bourbon scents hit me first with caramel, cherry cola and some a touch of vanilla bean. If I sniff hard enough, I find a note somewhat similar to maple candies. I’m also getting a touch of cocoa powder. Fruit notes primarily center around orange peel and some cherry, although I do find a little bit of raisins if I am patient enough.
Palate: Moderately viscous with flavors of caramel, table syrup and shortbread cookies to set the stage. The cherry cola returns from the nose and baking spices begin to pop up. Cinnamon, red pepper flakes and nutmeg pair with a bit of vanilla latte. The oak hasn’t fully impressed itself on the liquid yet, but I do find some. A small amount of cocoa and licorice lurk in the background. Fruit still centers around the orange and cherry from the nose.
Finish: Toffee, vanilla wafers, cocoa and a bit of oak and char round out the finish when the sip is complete. It’s mostly sweet on the tongue with a bit of baking spice and pepper flakes to make an impact. The 110 proof points keep the finish moderate to long in length and it’s easy-going and enjoyable.
Score: 7.5/10
Coming from all the wild Bardstown releases I’ve had over the last few years, the Future Series of BBCo’s single barrel program is surprisingly tame. I enjoyed what’s in the bottle and found that the taste profile doesn’t exactly dance the same tune as another producer’s taste profile. What I’m trying to say is it was unique enough to feel different, but not unfamiliar as a whole.
At six years old, I’m always going to say that I wish there was a little more age to the barrel, but it’s still a solid product. The proof is spot on at 110 which I think is the perfect “Goldilocks” proof that most whiskey tastes best at. The price – which I want to say was around $80 – is a little steep, but then again I have to realize that this has a kind of exclusivity to it that makes it worth it. Overall, this is a buy if you see one with a mash bill you find interesting.
Final Thoughts
Single barrels inherently vary from cask to cask. Some may lean spicy, others candy-sweet. One review won’t cover every bottle in the Future Series line, but I recommend that you seek out the ones with unique mash bills if you’re up for new experiences. Ultimately, this series confirms Bardstown Bourbon Company’s distillate has fully arrived, proudly standing without borrowed age or sourced mystique. It’s a milestone worth celebrating.
