Bardstown Bourbon Company continues its legacy of bourbon innovation with the launch of Distillery Reserve, a small-batch series showcasing experimental whiskey. The inaugural release, Cathedral French Oak, is a meticulously crafted Kentucky bourbon finished in 300-year-old French Oak barrels originally harvested to restore the Notre Dame Cathedral
The inaugural release, Cathedral French Oak, rested in barrels made of 300-year-old French Oak harvested to restore Notre Dame Cathedral
Bardstown, Ky. (February 25, 2025) – Bardstown Bourbon Company will again stretch the boundaries of American Whiskey innovation with its latest collection of new whiskies, Distillery Reserve. The inaugural release, Cathedral French Oak Finish marries revered tradition with experimentation and will be available beginning on February 28.
With small scale innovation and the ability to experiment freely, Distillery Reserve is the embodiment of the ethos “Never Stand Still.” Ranging from two to nine barrels, these releases bring to the public for the first time, selections from hundreds of experiments that explore flavor through wood, aging, finishing and blending techniques. Available exclusively at the distillery’s gift shops in Bardstown and Louisville, each one-time-only release offers a groundbreaking bourbon experience.
“The core of our brand has always been innovation, transparency and collaboration but these values mean little without respecting and building on the foundation of tradition,” said Dan Callaway, head of new product development for Bardstown Bourbon Co. “Distillery Reserve expresses that reverent, yet pioneering spirit, offering us a platform to showcase immense creativity and house some of the experiments tucked throughout our warehouses.”
Cathedral French Oak is a study in old whiskey, old wood and long finishing
Distillery Reserve will commence with Cathedral French Oak, a whiskey with a story as rich and complex as its flavor profile. This blend of 100 percent Kentucky bourbons, aged between 9 to 18 years, was finished for 14 months in barrels made of 300-year-old French Oak from the legendary Bercé Forest in the Loire Valley.
This plot of giant trees, planted during the reign of Louis XIV (circa 1715), was harvested to restore the iconic Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris following the fire of 2019. Their intricate grain and unparalleled density, strong enough to restore the Cathedral’s famed spire, infuse the whiskey with a character as profound as the history they represent.
“These truly singular barrels brought tremendous character to the bourbon. The key was to integrate the commanding barrel flavor with a powerful blend of long-aged bourbons to achieve the balance that lets each part shine,” said Callaway. “This exquisite whiskey is a most devout showcase of the cultural legacy of France married to the pioneering spirit of American Whiskey.”
The resulting union presents waves of maple, baked cherry, cinnamon, and cedar, harmonizing with notes of vanilla cream and rose petal. Toasted oak and crème brûlée create a rich, round palate leading to an extraordinary, lasting finish.
Distillery Reserve Cathedral French Oak is presented at 110.1 proof (55.05% ABV) and will be available in limited quantities for $99.99 starting February 28, 2025 exclusively at the distillery’s gift shops in Bardstown and Louisville. Each Distillery Reserve bottling is packaged as a 375 mL.
These small format innovations carry forth Bardstown’s reputation for quality, innovation and unique station in American Whiskey. Bardstown Bourbon was named 2023 Worldwide Whisky Producer of the Year by IWSC, Brand Innovator and Distiller of the Year at the 2025 Icons of Whisky, and the brand’s Amrut Indian Whisky collaboration, the first of its kind, was honored as the highest-rated American Whiskey by Whisky Advocate in 2024.
About Bardstown Bourbon Company
Bardstown Bourbon Company is pushing the boundaries of innovation while honoring the traditional art of making great whiskey. With the most modern, technically advanced whiskey distillery, Bardstown Bourbon Co. combines distillation and spirited hospitality into a modern, authentic bourbon experience unlike any other on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. Named 2023 Worldwide Whiskey Producer of the Year by IWSC and boasting the highest rated bourbon in the world, Bardstown Bourbon Co. is working to push the entire industry in a direction that is more innovative, more transparent and more collaborative. Bardstown Bourbon Co. is a top 10 distiller in the U.S. For more information visit BardstownBourbon.com.
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