Bardstown Bourbon Company Unveils Historic Japanese Co-Aged Whiskey

BARDSTOWN, Ky. (May 26, 2026) — Bardstown Bourbon Company is breaking entirely new ground in the spirits industry with the announcement of its latest hyper-limited release: the Distillery Reserve Mars Single Malt Japanese Blend.

Rather than utilizing a traditional secondary cask finishing process, this pioneering expression introduces a first-of-its-kind co-aging method. Japanese single malt whiskies from Mars’ famed Komagatake and Tsunuki distilleries were shipped directly to Bardstown, Kentucky, and filled into barrels alongside mature 10-year and 16-year-old Kentucky bourbons. The distinct spirits spent 12 full months integrating and evolving together inside the same casks through a intense Kentucky summer.

The 100% malted barley components from Mars bring highly distinct flavors shaped by their initial ancestral maturations: Komagatake single malt matured in Umeshu (plum liqueur) barrels introduces rich floral and fruit notes, while Tsunuki single malt aged in rare Sakura (cherry wood) barrels provides delicate spice.

Tasting Notes & Innovation Blueprint

The resulting 109.8-proof spirit marries caramelized plums, roasted malt, and vanilla bean on the nose, leading to a complex palate of baked cherry and toasted oak, followed by a refined finish showcasing the best elements of both distinct whisky cultures.

This release marks the latest liquid boundary pushed by Bardstown’s Distillery Reserve series—an experimental, small-scale innovation platform launched in 2025. Furthermore, a secondary phase of this international collaboration is already underway at Mars’ Tsunuki Distillery in Southern Japan, where Bardstown Bourbon is currently co-aging with Mars’ own historic aging stocks.

Pricing & Availability

Bardstown Bourbon Co. Distillery Reserve Mars Single Malt Japanese Blend is bottled at 54.9% ABV (109.8 Proof). It will be available exclusively in a signature 375mL format for $99.99 beginning May 29, 2026, only at the Bardstown Bourbon Company distillery gift shop in Bardstown and its Tasting Room in Louisville.

💬 Executive Quotes

“This project is about more than blending — it’s about true integration,” said Dan Callaway, Master Blender, Bardstown Bourbon Company. “By aging Japanese single malt whiskies together with Kentucky bourbon in the same barrel, we’ve created something entirely new. The result is a seamless conversation between two traditions, where neither overpowers the other, and both are elevated.”

“We are hopeful that this collaboration will open up new possibilities in the art of whiskey-making,” said Mr. Kazuto Hombo, President of Hombo Shuzo Co, makers of Mars Whisky. “By fusing the techniques and philosophies each company has cultivated, and by utilizing carefully selected base whisky, aging environments, and delicate blending techniques, we aim to create a new whiskey experience that combines depth and elegance.”

Mr. Hombo added, “Through this initiative, we intend to deliver unprecedented taste to our customers by respecting tradition while embracing innovation. While it will take a little more time, we are eagerly anticipating the results of this unique endeavor.”

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