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Kentucky producer Bardstown Bourbon Company has announced the release of Victoria Pineapple Barrel Finish Whiskey, marking the inaugural expression in the company’s re-envisioned Finishing Series.
Scheduled for release on 24 July 2026, the limited-edition spirit combines mature American bourbon and rye whiskies finished in Caribbean-sourced pineapple rum casks for a 27-month maturation period. The bottling represents an effort to integrate authentic tropical fruit notes into aged spirits via extended cask interaction rather than artificial flavouring.
Cask Maturation and Production Process
The Victoria Pineapple Barrel Finish begins with a blend of 10- and 11-year-old bourbons alongside an 11-year-old rye. The spirit was transferred into casks that previously held rum infused with Victoria pineapples, a variety noted for its high sugar content and aromatic profile.
Rather than relying solely on residual cask influence, the distillery added fresh Victoria pineapples directly to the barrels during the 27-month finishing phase, alongside additional wood staves. This extended process was designed to align the spirit's maturation with traditional Caribbean rum production techniques.
Dan Callaway, Master Blender at Lofted Spirits, stated that the development aimed to explore the natural fruit profiles created by cask interaction while preserving the underlying structure of mature bourbon and rye. Callaway noted that stave finishing provided the structural balance needed to integrate fruit characteristics without overpowering the oak and spice notes of the base whiskies.
Sensory Profile and Technical Specifications
Bottled at 106 proof (53 per cent ABV), the expression is formulated to balance sweet tropical notes with traditional rye spice and oak complexity.
Key product specifications and flavour notes include:
🥃 Blend Composition: A blend of 10-year-old bourbon, 11-year-old bourbon, and 11-year-old rye.
🍍 Primary Aromas: Tropical fruit, rye spice, and allspice.
🍒 Palate Characteristics: Layers of pineapple, cherry, toasted oak, vanilla crème, and toffee.
🪵 Finishing Mechanism: 27 months in pineapple rum casks with added staves and fruit.
Packaging Redesign and Regional Distribution
The launch marks the transition of the distillery's limited-edition collaboration program into the refreshed Finishing Series format. The release features updated packaging and bespoke label artwork created by Louisville artist Margaret Archambault, whose visual designs will be incorporated across upcoming releases in the series.
Bardstown Bourbon Company is releasing the expression in extremely limited quantities, capped at fewer than 350 nine-litre cases.
The bottling will be available exclusively in Kentucky, distributed through the distillery’s main facility in Bardstown, its Louisville Tasting Room, and select regional spirits retailers starting 24 July 2026 at a suggested retail price of US$139.99 per 750ml bottle.
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