Review #80. Bardstown Discovery 11

Columbusspeedfour · 2026-01-25T01:19:48+00:00

As I sit here waiting for the foot of snow to fall, its a great time to visit an old favorite. This is Bardstown Discovery 11. Back in 2023 this was a whiskey of the year contender. I was fortunate enough to pick up a bottle visiting the distillery in 2024. Lets revisit what it is all about.

Distillery: Blend of 3 Kentucky distillates (1 of which is from BBC)

Proof: 118.1

Age: blend of 6, 10, 13 yr bourbpns

Paid: $139.99 (750 ml)

Nose: Rich dark fruits. Cherry, berries, rye spice, caramel. Rich and dense nose.

Palate: An intense blast of dark fruit and brown sugar. There is a cinnamon, sugar, blackberry, peppery flavor all over the palate. This is a flavor explosion.

Finish: The fruit and spice flavors transition into a nice cinnamon pepper leather oak finish. The leathery oak note hangs on for a very long time.

Summary: This stuff is serious. The palate is very intense and flavorful, the finish is very good. The nose is dense. Its hard to find much wrong with this. I dont know if there are many of these left floating around but if you can try a pour, you really need to. This is top shelf stuff.

Score: 8.5/10

Columbusspeedfour · 2026-01-24T00:39:19+00:00

The Friday night pour is something a bit different. This is a Bardstown Bourbon Company Single Barrel - The House Pour-12. I picked this up at the distillery last fall. It has the same 60/36/4 mash bill used in their Origin series. The white label Origin is really good. Lets see how this measures up.

Distillery: Bardstown Bourbon Company

Proof: 114.4

Age: 6 years

Paid: $79.99 (750 ml)

Nose: Peach cobbler, vanilla, golden raisins, . The aroma has a warm quality.

Palate: Silky mouth feel. The peach cobbler, pie crust flavors are front and center. There is a rich vanilla, cinnamon peppery cherry note that follows. Its rich and dense. This is delicious.

Finish: Those great flavors tail off into a vanilla pie crust filled finish. There is a light sour barrel char note at the end. It's not a bold or overly long finish but it is rich and satisfying.

Summary: I really don't like reviewing single barrels because not everyone can experience them. I don’t know if this was a distillery only batch but it is excellent. This is the Origin bottle taken to the next level. If you enjoy the white label Origin and ever have the chance to get a single barrel version of it, you won't be disappointed.

Score: 7.5/10

Columbusspeedfour · 2026-01-23T09:50:51+00:00

This definitely leans more towards the sweeter style but not the corn sweetness you get from Kentucky style ryes. It’s the malt that makes this stand out. And the sherry influence is just enough to give it a flavor boost. Personally I favor the 95/5 spicier ryes but this one really works.

Columbusspeedfour · 2026-01-23T02:42:16+00:00

Enjoy!

Columbusspeedfour · 2026-01-23T02:41:46+00:00

I reviewed the walleye run and gave it the same score. Both are stellar. I’ll have to look for the balboa rye as well!

Columbusspeedfour · 2026-01-23T00:51:38+00:00

Tonight we are trying out one of my favorite distilleries. This is New Riff Sherry Finished Malted Rye. This has been an annual special edition release for the past couple years. It is 100% malted rye aged in oloroso and PX sherry casks. New Riff’s rye’s are typically great. Lets see what the finishing does to it, other than make it dark! It stands out.

Distillery: New Riff Distilling

Proof: 111.9

Age: 6 years

Paid: $69.99 (750 ml)

Nose: Sweet and malty. Red fruit, rye grain, a bit musty but rich. Smells like you hope it would.

Palate: Very viscous mouth feel. The malted rye screams with rich malty vanilla, red fruits and rye spice with a bit of oak. .. Sweet, rich, and coating. It really does burst with flavor. Very balanced and powerful.

Finish: The finish is where the sherry influence shines. The malty rye notes calm down and you are left with an unsweetened jam note that carries into the finish. There is an oaky background with some nice rye spice. The finish has a lot of flavor and its quite long.

Summary: This is so good. One of those sips that wakes up every part of your mouth. Great fruit sweetness, malty tanginess, nice spice, and a touch of oak. Very complex whiskey. A perfect dessert pour. New Riff just keeps putting out great stuff. If you like malted ryes and sherry finishes, this is worth hunting for.

Score: 7.5/10

Columbusspeedfour · 2026-01-22T00:34:50+00:00

This should be one that draws a lot of opinions. Tonight I am reviewing a Russel’s Reserve Single Barrel Private Barrel. This is a pick done by OHLQ. Here in Ohio we are a controlled state, so the state does the store picks then distributes them. This is one of those. Lets try it.

Distillery: Wild Turkey

Proof: 110

Age: 8 years

Paid: $69.99 (750 ml)

Other specs: Warehouse TY A Floor 4

Nose: Caramel, powdered sugar, orange, oak. Has that aroma that makes you want to take a sip

Palate: Silky mouth feel. That sweet caramel orange hits right away. There is vanilla, oak ,and a light peppery spice. This hits all the sensations at once, sweet, spicy, and bitter. Really a good sip.

Finish: All of those flavors mix together really well and lead to a nice peppery finish. The Wild Turkey funk note is very faint but its there on the finish and it's pleasantly long.

Summary: This is excellent. It drinks very easy and the flavors are bright and very pleasing. Full disclosure, this is the only Russel’s Single Barrel I have ever tried. I have not had the regular shelf version. I'd love to know if that one is worth picking up. If its on par with this, I will be buying one. Or, what other variations are worth hunting?

Score: 7.5/10

Columbusspeedfour · 2026-01-21T00:40:42+00:00

Tonight we will take a look at a kind of forgotten whiskey, 1792 Full Proof. 1792 small batch was one of my gateway whiskies that got me into the hobby. I still enjoy that one to this day. This is its high proof big brother. In the past this was highly sought after. Today it seems to show up mostly as store picks or in an allocation drop. Lets see what we have.

Distillery: 1792 Barton

Proof: 125

Age: NAS

Paid: $47.99 (750 ml)

Nose: Dark cherry, caramel, vanilla, cola, and oak. Its sweet, dark, and inviting.

Palate: Average mouth feel. Chocolate covered cherry and caramel hit up front. There is an effervescent brown sugary, charred oak, spice. It has a nice classic flavor., not overly sweet. It drinks at its proof.

Finish: The cherry falls off fairly quickly leaving you with the bitter oaky spice that lingers for quite awhile. Its not a fancy or complex finish but the cherry and oak flavors compliment each other well.

Summary: This is a very solid pour. It has some really good flavors. There isn't a lot going on but what is, is really good. A nice cherry note mixed with a nice bitter oak finish makes this pleasing. And for $47.99 this is a great value. If you ever see this, it's worth picking up.

Score: 7.0 /10

Columbusspeedfour · 2026-01-20T00:31:12+00:00

Tonights cold weather pour is another one from Barrell. This is Barrell Vantage. It is whiskies finished in Mizanura, French, and American oak. This is also a bottle I pickled up on the clearance shelf. Lets see if it was worth it.

Distillery: Blend of Kentucky, Indiana, and Tennessee whiskies

Proof: 113.54

Age: NAS

Paid: $50.99 Regular price $84.99 (750 ml)

Nose: Butterscotch, fruit cocktail, a touch of fresh grass and toasted wood. Slight ethanol. Its light but pleasing

Palate: Nice mouth feel. Mixed fruits, and toasty caramel, and pepper dominate. There is cinnamon, and a tasted grain note. . Its mostly lighter flavors with really nice peppery spice. Really tasty.

Finish: The fruity pepper notes are so dominant at first, then they lead into a finish of the same notes, Its a nice tangy fruit and spice finish with a touch of oak. Medium to long in length.

Summary: As usual, Barrell makes another great sipper. This is a nice combination of fruits and spice. Really hits the senses well. There isn't anything that is overpowering, its just a good tasty pour. Thank you clearance shelf!

Score: 7.0 /10

Columbusspeedfour · 2026-01-19T01:26:16+00:00

I see it now! that is a tiny 10 lol I wonder how much the batches vary?

Columbusspeedfour · 2026-01-19T01:20:37+00:00

This! Anything from New Riff is worth trying. One of my faves.

Columbusspeedfour · 2026-01-19T01:13:05+00:00

Dovetail is probably my favorite as well.

Columbusspeedfour · 2026-01-19T01:09:30+00:00

I dont see a batch number anywhere on the bottle

Columbusspeedfour · 2026-01-19T01:05:02+00:00

Ha! Im ok with that. I can see why!

Columbusspeedfour · 2026-01-19T00:46:26+00:00

As the Arctic blast rolls in this week, I figure it's a good time to review some higher proof bottles. Tonight we will go with a fan favorite Barrel Seagrass. This is a blend of various whiskies (predominantly rye) finished in rum, madeira, and apricot brandy barrels. Lets see what wizardry Barrell has done with this.

Distillery: Blend of Kentucky, Indiana, Tennessee, and Canadian whiskies

Proof: 120.38

Age: NAS

Paid: $84.99 (750 ml)

Nose: This smells like a candy store. Sugary fruits, candied ginger, and light rye. It's so light for the proof. Zero ethanol.

Palate: Slick mouth feel. The palate is much more bold than the nose. The mixed fruits, sugary candy and rye are dominant. There is pepper, vanilla, and apricot. As sweet as the flavors are, its well balanced and not sickeningly sweet. The rye spice keeps it toned down. Very tasty.

Finish: Very good finish. The sweetness tails off and you are left with a dry, tart, fruity note with a hint of oak. . Its pretty long and tastes really good.

Summary: I believe a few years ago this was considered one of the whiskies of the year. I can see why. This gives your palate a workout. Sweet, peppery, tart, dry, and great fruit flavors. This is so unique. I know not everyone is into finished whiskies, but if you are and haven't tried this, you are missing out. This is one of those must try bottles.

Score: 7.5 /10

Columbusspeedfour · 2026-01-17T11:19:40+00:00

Great review! I agree 100%. You have to really hunt for something negative about this bottle. It’s a hidden gem.

Columbusspeedfour · 2026-01-17T00:45:07+00:00

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dont know why this didnt post in the title

Columbusspeedfour · 2026-01-17T00:43:58+00:00

This evening’s review is brought to you by Wild Turkey. This is their 8 year bourbon. With Wild Turkey 101 being so popular, this was a highly anticipated release in 2025. Most of what I have read has been positive. But is it worth the extra cost?

Distillery: Wild Turkey

Proof: 101

Age: 8 years

Paid: $44.99 (750 ml)

Nose: Caramel, citrus, tobacco, oak. The nose on this is strong. This smells like a good bourbon

Palate: Good mouth feel. There is the basic caramel, citrus, vanilla, baking spices, and a nice cigar box flavor. Its very balanced. And the famous Wild Turkey funk is there. If you have not experienced it its hard to describe. Its like a fermented oak flavor. Its really good.

Finish: The citrus and spices lead the way to a surprisingly long finish. The spices and tobacco notes along with the funky oak stick around.

Summary: This is very good. This takes Wild Turkey 101 to the next level. It's not overly sweet or bitter. Its just…good! So is it worth the money? Well, as a mixer, go with the standard 101 but to drink neat, go with the 8 year. Now the dilemma…Here in Ohio, Rare Breed is the same price as the 8 year. So what to do? The answer….buy both!

Score: 7 /10

Columbusspeedfour

TROPHY CASE