405: Bardstown Bourbon’s Dan Callaway Breaks Down a 99-Point Whiskey, Garryana Oak, and a Pineapple Finish on the Bourbon Lens Podcast

The Master Blender at Lofted Spirits tastes three limited releases with the hosts and explains the thinking behind each one.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. Bourbon Lens, the Kentucky-based bourbon podcast has released a new podcast episode with Dan Callaway, Master Blender at Lofted Spirits, the parent company of Bardstown Bourbon Company. Hosts Jake Lewellen and Scott Dilley walk through the brand’s latest limited releases and the blending decisions behind them.

The episode covers Bardstown’s 2026 label redesign, the growth of Green River Whiskey, and three new bottlings: Lochs of Jura Barrel Finish, Garryana Oak Discovery, and Victoria Pineapple Barrel Finish.

Lochs of Jura: a 32-month finish.

The whiskey blends 70 percent bourbon with 30 percent rye. It was finished for 32 months in ex-Jura single malt barrels, which Callaway says is the longest finish the brand has done on a national scale. Callaway said the whiskey shows both bourbon and single malt character:

“It’s a really nice bridge, if you have a single malt drinker, someone that you know, and you’re trying to get them into bourbon, or vice versa, it really demonstrates both all the way through.”

Callaway also noted that the whiskey earned 99 points from the International Wine & Spirits Competition (IWSC), a blind-judged competition:

“It got a ninety nine points which I believe since they’ve done the competition in the US for American whiskey that’s the only ninety nine they’ve given out for an American whiskey which is pretty cool.”

Garryana Oak Discovery

The release uses rare Pacific Northwest Garryana oak from handmade barrels with a three-hour toast. Callaway positioned it as the counterpart to the Jura release:

“This is if you love marshmallow, cinnamon toast crunch, campfire, vanilla, big double barrel.”

Victoria Pineapple Barrel Finish

The Kentucky-exclusive release was matured for 27 months in pineapple rum casks sourced from Barbados, then finished with fresh pineapple and wood staves. The July 21 press release priced it at $139.99, in a run of fewer than 350 nine-liter cases. Callaway explained the approach:

“The goal was never to make whiskey taste like pineapple. The goal was to understand what made these barrels so special in the first place. We followed that trail all the way back to the creation process and found our way to a whiskey with a bold, tropical fruit, surrounded by rye and allspice.”

On the 2026 packaging redesign, Callaway said the goal was to make the core brand easier to order:

“We needed to just highlight the core name, what it is, have it pop.”

All three limited releases feature label artwork by Louisville artist Margaret Archambault.

Callaway also discussed Green River Whiskey in Owensboro, the brand’s honey bourbon, his appearance on 60 Minutes, and how rickhouse floor placement shapes the final whiskey. He said some Bardstown releases will be poured at the Kentucky Bourbon Festival.

The episode is available now on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and at www.bourbonlens.com.

About Bourbon Lens

Bourbon Lens is a Kentucky-based bourbon media brand that publishes weekly podcast discussions, tastings, and industry news for the bourbon community. Learn more at www.bourbonlens.com.