Has there ever been a bourbon that not only captures a divine masterpiece of human history but also embodies the hope of restoration and takes you on a journey through time and flavor—all in a single pour?
Bardstown Bourbon Company tells BourbonBlog.com they are debuting its Distillery Reserve collection with the Cathedral French Oak Finish, a blend of 100% Kentucky bourbons aged 9 to 18 years and finished for 14 months in barrels crafted from 300-year-old French Oak from the historic Bercé Forest in the Loire Valley—wood originally intended for the restoration of Notre Dame. Available starting February 28, this release seamlessly blends tradition with innovation.
Distillery Reserve Cathedral French Oak is presented at 110.1 proof (55.05% ABV) and will be available in limited quantities exclusively at the distillery’s gift shops in Bardstown and Louisville. Each Distillery Reserve bottling is packaged as a 375 mL.
Most of us remember when Notre Dame’s spire fell in 2019 (video here and below)—and now, a bourbon rises from that story, celebrating renewal with every sip.
With small scale innovation and the ability to experiment freely, Distillery Reserve is the embodiment of the ethos “Never Stand Still.”
Ranging from two to nine barrels, Distillery Reserve will bring to the public for the first time, selections from hundreds of experiments that explore flavor through wood, aging, finishing and blending techniques.
About Cathedral French Oak Bourbon: A study in old whiskey, old wood and long finishing
| BLEND | ORIGIN | AGE | MASHBILL |
|---|---|---|---|
| 45% | Kentucky | 14 years | 75 | 13 | 0 | 12 |
| 37.5% | Kentucky | 18 years | 74 | 18 | 0 | 8 |
| 10% | Kentucky | 11 years | 78 | 13 | 0 | 9 |
| 5% | Kentucky | 9 years | 75 | 13 | 0 | 12 |
| 2.5% | Kentucky | 17 years | 78 | 10 | 0 | 12 |
This blend described above of 100% Kentucky bourbons, aged 9 to 18 years, was finished for 14 months in barrels crafted from 300-year-old French oak sourced from the legendary Bercé Forest in the Loire Valley by the iconic Tonnellerie Baron cooperage. The wood is certified by the ONF (Office National des Forêts), with new oak saplings planted to replace each harvested tree, promoting sustainable forestry.
This plot of giant trees, planted during the reign of Louis XIV (circa 1715), was harvested to restore the iconic Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris following the fire of 2019. Their intricate grain and unparalleled density, strong enough to restore the Cathedral’s famed spire, infuse the whiskey with a character as profound as the history they represent.
The resulting union presents waves of maple, baked cherry, cinnamon, and cedar, harmonizing with notes of vanilla cream and rose petal. Toasted oak and crème brûlée create a rich, round palate leading to an extraordinary, lasting finish.
“The core of our brand has always been innovation, transparency and collaboration but these values mean little without respecting and building on the foundation of tradition,” said Dan Callaway, head of new product development for Bardstown Bourbon Co. tells us. “Distillery Reserve expresses that reverent, yet pioneering spirit, offering us a platform to showcase immense creativity and house some of the experiments tucked throughout our warehouses.”
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