Bardstown, KY — July 21, 2026 — Bardstown Bourbon Company has released Victoria Pineapple Barrel Finish Whiskey, a Kentucky-exclusive expression inspired by one of rum’s most distinctive maturation traditions. The whiskey marries mature bourbon and rye, pushing beyond traditional finishing techniques to explore genuine tropical fruit character — one of the most elusive flavor compounds in American whiskey.
Built on a Rum Tradition, Not a Shortcut
The release takes its name from the prized Victoria Pineapple, a variety known for its intense sweetness and fragrant aroma, with a historic connection to premium rum production in Barbados. Victoria Pineapple Barrel Finish begins with a custom blend of 10- and 11-year-old bourbons and 11-year-old rye, married and matured in Caribbean-sourced pineapple rum casks.
Those casks previously held rum known for a distinctive production process in which prized Victoria pineapples are incorporated directly during maturation — a process with a devoted following among bartenders and spirits enthusiasts. Rather than simply reuse the barrels as finishing vessels, Bardstown Bourbon Company set out to honor that process directly.
“The goal was never to make whiskey taste like pineapple,” said Dan Callaway, Master Blender, Lofted Spirits. “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.”
After letting the custom whiskey blend mature for 27 months, fresh pineapple was added to the barrels — mirroring the original rum’s creation process to draw out tropical notes already developing in the whiskey.
“Finishing with staves gave us the balance that helped integrate the pineapple character without losing the depth and complexity of the whiskey itself,” Callaway added.
Tasting Notes
- Nose: Bold tropical fruit, rye, spice and allspice
- Palate: Pineapple, cherry and toasted oak, evolving into vanilla crème and toffee
- Overall: Vibrant and layered, while remaining grounded in the structure and complexity of mature American whiskey
First Release in a New Series
Victoria Pineapple Barrel Finish Whiskey is the first release in Bardstown Bourbon’s new Finishing Series, an evolution of the brand’s sought-after limited-edition collaborations. Each release in the series will feature new custom label art — this year’s artwork was created by Louisville artist Margaret Archambault, who translated the whiskey’s flavor profile into an original work of art. Archambault’s work will also be revealed on this year’s national Discovery and Finishing releases later this summer.
Price & Availability
- Price: $139.99 SRP
- Proof: 106 proof
- Availability: Fewer than 350 nine-liter cases, exclusive to Kentucky — including the Bardstown Bourbon Co. distillery and Louisville Tasting Room
- Release Date: July 24, 2026
About Bardstown Bourbon Company
Bardstown Bourbon Company is pushing the boundaries of innovation while honoring the traditional art of making great whiskey. With one of the most modern, technically advanced whiskey distilleries, Bardstown Bourbon combines high-quality distillation with spirited hospitality for a modern, authentic bourbon experience on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail™. The company has been named Icons of Whisky Global Brand Innovator of the Year (2025), the highest-rated American Whiskey by Whisky Advocate (2024), and Worldwide Whisky Producer of the Year by IWSC (2023).
Learn more at BardstownBourbon.com.
Reported by Bourbon Lens News, your source for the latest bourbon releases, distillery news and whiskey culture.
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