Bardstown Bourbon Co. Bottled In Bond Bourbon Whiskey
The Stats
- Distillery: Bardstown Bourbon Company
- Type: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
- Style: Bottled-in-Bond Wheated Bourbon
- Proof: 100 Proof
- Age: 6 Years
- Mash Bill: 68% Corn, 20% Wheat, 12% Malted Barley
- Release: Ongoing Core Release
- MSRP: $45
CLICK THE VIDEO TO PLAY ↓
Bardstown Bottled-in-Bond isn’t chasing hype or nostalgia. It lives in a far more competitive place: the middle shelf. That’s where expectations are high, prices matter, and bottles have seconds, not minutes, to earn your attention. This release has always been about balance and value, but with a refreshed label and the same familiar liquid inside, it’s worth asking how well it holds up today, and whether the new look changes how we experience it.
Produced by Bardstown Bourbon Company, this Bottled-in-Bond expression was introduced as part of the Origin Series and has long been positioned as a reliable, transparent, everyday bourbon. While the Origin Series name no longer appears on the label, the intent behind the whiskey hasn’t changed. The liquid remains the same, but the presentation has evolved, and that shift says a lot about who this bottle is really for.
A Middle-Shelf Problem, Solved (Mostly)
The bottle itself remains a standout. Bardstown’s custom glass is tall, balanced, and elegant, arguably more premium-feeling than the price would suggest. That silhouette still does a lot of heavy lifting on the shelf. The new label, however, clearly prioritizes function over finesse. It’s bolder, louder, and far more legible from across the aisle, with clearer color differentiation that makes the packaging easier to navigate in a crowded retail set.
That clarity comes at a cost. The tighter die-cut around the typography feels cramped, and some of the elegance of the previous design has been traded away. The removal of the etched glass on the back is especially noticeable, taking away a tactile detail that once enhanced the bottle's visual and emotional appeal.
This redesign isn’t aimed at longtime Bardstown fans or design purists; it’s built to attract new buyers and move confidently in a competitive middle-shelf environment. Viewed through that lens, it does exactly what it’s supposed to do.
Tasting Notes
Aroma
Soft and inviting with gentle baking spice, vanilla, and a light creaminess. Subtle floral and earthy notes keep things fresh without leaning overly sweet or bready.
Taste
Smooth and approachable at 100 proof. Cinnamon and creamy vanilla lead, followed by a surprising peppery spice mid-palate that adds structure and keeps this wheated bourbon from feeling flat.
Finish
Clean and comfortable. Not especially long, but warm and pleasant, with lingering spice that encourages another sip.
Artfully Bourbon Rating
7 / 10 - Good
Bardstown Bottled-in-Bond is a bourbon you can pour without overthinking. It’s dependable, balanced, and competitively priced, holding its own against just about anything else in its category.
The new design trades some elegance for visibility, but the whiskey itself remains solid and approachable. If you enjoy bottles like Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond or Holladay Soft Red Wheat, this lands in a similar lane, classic, comfortable, and built for repeat pours. In the middle shelf, reliability is the flex.
