Bourbon Reviews: Bardstown Bourbon Company (Fusion Series #8, #9) arrives at 47.75% ABV, mash bill: various (corn-heavy with ry. Priced at $64.99/ 750ml bottle, we assessed it with care.
Nose
This is pale golden yellow in color. This is golden yellow in color with a mahogany undertone. Theres an earthy aroma on first sniff much like wet fallen leaves. I pick up notes of heavily spiced cherry compote, fresh yeast, and root beer. Theres a mild note of Queen Annes lace at first, which opens into notes of fresh tangerine peels, and red apples. Its bold and spicy with a strong suggestion of heat from the alcohol. My first thought on sipping was that this tastes like freshly baked yeast donuts, and very much in a good way. It has a silky body with mild, fine-grained tannins. Theres a pop of powdered sugar and lush, mature vanilla notes alongside the notes of bread dough, marshmallow root tea, and holy basil. The 12-year in the blend really shows on the palate, rounding out the vanilla sweetness. A dash of water really opens up the aromatics. Score: 4/5 Bardstown Bourbon Fusion #9 (image via Bardstown Bourbon) Tasting Notes: Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series #9 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Vital Stats: This is a blend of two four-year-old and one 12-year-old KSBs aged in new American oak, 48.4% ABV, mash bill: various (corn-heavy with rye, malted barley, and a tiny amount of wheat), SRP $64.99/ 750ml bottle. Appearance: This is golden yellow in color with a mahogany undertone. Nose: Theres a mild note of Queen Annes lace at first, which opens into notes of fresh tangerine peels, and red apples. Its bold and spicy with a strong suggestion of heat from the alcohol. Palate: The palate is fiery but more viscous than its predecessor with mild tannins. I pick up notes of day lilies, fresh orange zest, and cherry cough drops. Theres a note of vanilla beans on the noise. It finishes rather abruptly with a touch of bitter hops, cast iron, and tree bark. Water brings out a minty note like chewing gum. This seems far less vanilla-dominant than its partner. Score: 4.5/5 Final Thoughts I had initially expected the two to taste quite similar since their mash bills are nearly identical. Those tiny adjustments really make a huge difference, especially to the aromatics. The Fusion 9 definitely seems the more nuanced, but the Fusion 8 is a lot of fun. These are great for sipping and hint at more great things to come from this surprisingly young distillery.
Palate
Editor’s Note: This whiskey was either bought as a sample by Whiskeyful or provided to us as a review sample by the party behind it. Per our editorial policies, this in no way influenced the outcome of this review.
Verdict
Bourbon Reviews: Bardstown Bourbon Company (Fusion Series #8, #9) is a modest offering that, at $64.99/ 750ml bottle, serves its purpose without distinction. Those seeking depth or complexity may wish to look elsewhere in this price bracket.
