Bardstown Collection - Preservation Distillery - Review

Stats

Bardstown Collection - Preservation Distillery

Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

NAS - 5-15 Year Barrels

Preservation Distillery - Bardstown, Kentucky

122.8 Proof

Mash Bill: Various

Retail Price: $199

Poured Neat in a Kenzie Tasting Glass

Color: Tawny

Nose: Creamy Vanilla, Cinnamon, Leather and Toasted Oak

Palate: Rich, Bold Spices, Vanilla Bean, Toffee and Caramel

Finish: Very Pleasant with a Medium Linger. Tobacco and Spices coat the backend of the throat

Overall: Talk about a complex offering. "An amalgamation of rare vintage casks from 5-15 years old each hand selected for its ability to enhance this expression's depth and profile." From start to finish, this release had my attention. Those rich and bold spices I took away on the palate also had the perfect amount of sweetness to create the perfect balance. I can only imagine what the other four distilleries releases for the 2021 Bardstown Collection must taste like.

Library Rating: 8.9 / 10

Parker's Heritage Collection 11 Year Wheat Whiskey - Review

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Parker's Heritage Collection

Kentucky Straight Wheat Whiskey

Heavy Char Barrels

Aged 11 Years

Old Heaven Hill Springs Distillery - Bardstown, Kentucky

122 Proof

Mash Bill: 51% Wheat, 37% Corn, 12% Malted Barley

Retail Price: $140

Poured Neat in a Glencairn

Color: Vintage Oak

Nose: Honey, Vanilla, Caramel, Oak, Toasted White Bread

Palate: Buttery, Warm Pie Crust, Cinnamon and Walnut

Finish: A Warm Medium Linger with Cinnamon and Brown Sugar coating the throat.

Overall: I was already in love with the previous 10 Year Heavy Char Bourbon release, and then Heaven Hill goes and releases this one. This Wheat Whiskey is the 15th Edition from the Parker's Heritage Collection and comes from a total of 75 barrels. The barrels are charred for a little more than double the standard time to pick up more of the sugars in the oak. This process doesn't go unnoticed. Those charred flavors seem to "pop" with so much more emphasis. If anyone has had the chance to check out the new Heaven Hill Visitor's Center and bottle their own bourbon, the Bernheim Cask Strength is the closest comparison to this incredible release,

Library Rating: 9.2 / 10

Rebel Reserve 12 Year Single Barrel - Review

Stats

Rebel Reserve

Single Barrel - Barrel Proof

Kentucky Straight Bourbon

Aged 12 Years

Barrel No. 5651883 - Filled 9.30.09

Lux Row Distillers - Bardstown, Kentucky

Distilled & Aged in Kentucky

126.5 Proof

Mash Bill: 68% Corn, 20% Wheat,, 12% Malted Barley

Retail Price: $199

Poured Neat in a Norlan Glass

Color: Tawny

Nose: Brown Sugar, Rich Oak, Vanilla, Cinnamon

Palate: Brown Sugar, Vanilla, Pan-fried melted Butter, Caramel

Finish: A Warm Medium Linger with a great viscous mouthfeel

Overall: As soon as Lux Row announced the release of this bottle, it was only a matter of time before I made it a point to get to Bardstown again and secure one for the Library. As of now, this is a Distillery Only release and One per Person per day. The price tag of $200 may scare away some folks but when you look at the big picture, this is quite the find. Boasting the same Mash Bill as Old Fitzgerald and Larceny (Heaven Hill), this Cask Strength Single Barrel is a leap above the already pleasant Rebel 10 Year. The particular barrel I pulled from the shelf is 126.5 Proof and can be summed up quickly by saying, This is a Snickerdoodle Bundt Cake with Vanilla Frosting in a bottle. Of course the oak is present and very welcoming, but it's not the main attraction. The Brown Sugar is the MVP here. This has already become one of my top Bourbons of 2022 and we're only just getting started. What a pour!

Library Rating: 9.1 / 10