Bardstown Bourbon Company has announced the return of its Distillery Reserve series with the launch of "Cascadia Garryana Oak Barrel Finish." Scheduled for release on March 20, 2026, the expression highlights the company's ongoing focus on small-format innovation and the exploration of rare American hardwoods.
The limited-quantity release utilises barrels crafted from Oregon white oak, a scarce material known for a chemical structure that differs significantly from traditional American white oak.
Artisanal Sourcing
A primary feature of the Cascadia release is the collaboration with Oregon Barrel Works, a micro-cooperage based in the Willamette Valley. Producing only 1,000 barrels annually, the cooperage manages the entire process from timber selection to final construction.
The Garryana oak used for these barrels is not farmed; instead, it is sourced through sanctioned harvests or from fallen trees. The wood is characterised by a dense grain that slows oxidation and evaporation while imparting spice-forward notes such as clove and nutmeg, shared characteristics with French oak.
Technical Specifications
The liquid for Distillery Reserve Cascadia is a blend of three bourbons aged nine and 10 years, featuring distinct mashbills of corn, rye, and malted barley.
The production process involved several technical stages:
Initial Blending: Three mature bourbons were integrated before finishing.
Secondary Maturation: The blend rested for 10 months in 10 custom Garryana oak barrels.
Toasting Process: The barrels underwent a three-hour toast to access deeper layers of the wood's red layer.
Warehouse Placement: The barrels were aged on the sixth floor of a Bardstown warehouse over the summer to maximise flavour extraction.
The final product is presented at 107.5 proof (53.75% ABV) and follows a gradual proofing process to ensure complete integration of the liquid.
Distillery Reserve Platform
Launched in 2025, the Distillery Reserve serves as an experimental platform for Bardstown Bourbon Company to explore uncommon blending and finishing techniques. Previous iterations, such as Cathedral French Oak and Hokkaido Mizunara Oak, have established the series as a driver for brand prestige and technical authority in the premium whiskey sector.
"Its structure and chemistry create a flavour experience unlike any other," said Dan Callaway, Master Blender at Bardstown Bourbon Company. Callaway noted that the partnership with Oregon Barrel Works allowed the distillery to explore regional terroir through a "tree to barrel" approach.
Availability and Retail Format
Cascadia Garryana Oak Barrel Finish will be offered at a suggested retail price of $99.99. In keeping with the series' small-scale innovation theme, it is bottled in a signature 375mL format. Distribution is restricted to the Bardstown Bourbon distillery gift shop and its Tasting Room in Louisville, emphasising the exclusive nature of the Distillery Reserve project.
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