A Disruptive Idea in the Bourbon Capital of the World
In 2014, Peter Loftin, a successful telecommunications entrepreneur, arrived in Bardstown, Kentucky with an unorthodox vision: to build a modern bourbon distillery that operated with radical transparency, cutting-edge technology, and a collaborative spirit. At the time, bourbon was experiencing a renaissance—but much of the industry remained steeped in myth, legacy branding, and the kind of mystique that often obscured the actual production process. Loftin saw opportunity in clarity.
He envisioned a company that could partner with dozens of emerging brands and craft unique mash bills on their behalf, all while developing its own house labels. It would be the first modern bourbon distillery to fully embrace a model that blended contract distilling with proprietary brand building under one roof. In a town where heritage distilleries like Heaven Hill and Willett cast long shadows, Bardstown Bourbon Company (BBCo) aimed to offer something strikingly new.
The Founder’s Imprint: Peter Loftin’s Legacy
Peter Loftin wasn’t a Kentucky native, but he had a nose for where the world was going. Best known as the founder of Business Telecom Inc. (BTI), Loftin had built and sold major enterprises, but his heart was always drawn toward cultural impact. In Bardstown, he assembled a team of veterans who could ground his vision in authenticity. Among his first hires were industry titans like:
- Steve Nally – A 40-year bourbon veteran and Hall of Fame inductee who had spent decades at Maker’s Mark.
- David Mandell – A branding and marketing specialist who became the first President & CEO.
- Dan Callaway – A classically trained sommelier who would go on to lead beverage operations and culinary experiences.
- John Hargrove – Formerly of Sazerac and Barton 1792, bringing distillation expertise.
Together, this team set out to redefine what a bourbon company could look like in the 21st century.
A Facility Built for Transparency and Scale
The Bardstown Bourbon Company’s physical footprint was unlike anything else in the region. Designed to be open and inviting, the distillery sits on more than 100 acres of active farmland on the western edge of Bardstown’s historic downtown. Its architecture—glass-forward, modern, and functional—signaled a break from the colonial brick aesthetics of legacy bourbon producers.
At the heart of the campus was a production facility capable of producing over 100,000 barrels per year from launch—scale far beyond most craft startups. The space was also built to expand, and by 2023, it had tripled its capacity. This was not a small batch distillery. This was bourbon infrastructure.
Collaboration as a Business Model
From the beginning, Bardstown Bourbon Company built its identity around collaboration. It was one of the first large-scale distilleries to offer contract production services to outside brands in a bespoke, transparent manner. This meant more than just sourcing barrels; it involved working with partners to design custom mash bills, aging plans, proofing targets, and blending strategies.
Clients were given access to the same technical team, lab resources, and fermentation controls used in BBCo’s own products. For brands that wanted to enter the market quickly—or scale without building their own distillery—Bardstown was a game-changer.
Who They Distilled For
Though many of the partnerships remain undisclosed, some known clients over the years have included:
- Jefferson’s Bourbon – An innovator in aging and finishing.
- High West – Known for blending and sourced product finesse.
- Belle Meade (Nelson’s Green Brier) – Prior to their acquisition by Constellation.
- Kentucky Owl – As they expanded their reach post-Stoli acquisition.
This contract distilling model generated revenue streams that insulated Bardstown Bourbon from the long cash cycles of aging whiskey. It also embedded the company deeply into the bourbon economy, establishing it as both an incubator and a production powerhouse.
From a Startup to an Industry Shaper
Beating the Timeline
When Bardstown Bourbon Company opened in 2016, the founders projected a slow but steady path toward self-sufficiency. They expected their own bourbons—laid down as young distillate in 2016 and 2017—to begin reaching maturity around 2020. But growth came faster than anyone anticipated.
By 2019, their “Fusion Series” debuted as a blend of their 2-year-old bourbon with older, sourced barrels. It was a bold move—few producers would admit to using young whiskey, much less lead with it on the label. But Bardstown Bourbon Company didn’t hide behind sourcing. They made it a cornerstone of their brand: here’s our young spirit, paired with mature barrels, and blended with intention.
The transparency was refreshing, and the whiskey was good. By the time the company released its fully estate-distilled Origin Series in 2022, the brand was already a critical darling and a respected player in both retail and hospitality channels.
The Pritzker Private Capital Acquisition
In 2022, Bardstown Bourbon Company was acquired by Pritzker Private Capital, a Chicago-based firm with deep roots in industrial and consumer markets. This investment turbocharged Bardstown’s ambitions, allowing for facility expansions, product line growth, and new market penetration. With access to fresh capital and strategic partners, BBCo expanded its national distribution footprint and further invested in innovation—including expanding its Louisville tasting room.
This was no ordinary M&A transaction. The Pritzker acquisition was a clear signal that contract distilling had matured into a serious, scalable business model—and that Bardstown Bourbon Company was leading the charge.
The Bardstown Bourbon Company Portfolio: A New Era of Blending, Finishing, and Identity
Bardstown Bourbon Company didn’t just set out to produce great whiskey—they set out to tell stories through blends. Each of their core series is a narrative experiment: some explore the journey from youth to maturity, others showcase rare cask finishes, and some serve as case studies in bourbon transparency. The result is a portfolio that feels more like a literary anthology than a product catalog.
Fusion Series: Blending Youth and Wisdom
Launched in 2019, the Fusion Series was Bardstown’s first major foray into the world under its own label. It was also one of the most honest and innovative experiments in modern blending at the time.
The Concept:
Blend Bardstown Bourbon Company’s own young whiskey (two to three years old) with carefully sourced older Kentucky bourbons. Rather than disguise their youth, the company leaned into it.
Mash Bill Transparency:
Each bottle label detailed the exact breakdown of the blend, including:
- Percentage of each component
- Mash bill specs (corn, rye/wheat, malted barley)
- Age of each whiskey
- Distillation origin (own vs sourced)
This level of transparency was practically unheard of in 2019, and it immediately won fans among whiskey educators and serious enthusiasts.
Flavor Profile:
Each release is different, but generally, Fusion leans toward:
- Fresh fruit and vanilla from the youthful distillate
- Rich oak and spice from the aged components
- A layered, vibrant structure that rewards close sipping
Why It Matters:
The Fusion Series served a dual purpose:
- It showcased BBCo’s growing in-house distillate quality.
- It softened the stigma around young whiskey when thoughtfully blended.
Discovery Series: A Symphony of Aged Bourbons
If the Fusion Series was Bardstown’s coming-of-age story, the Discovery Series is its celebration of maturity, complexity, and the art of the blend.
The Concept:
Bardstown scours the market for rare and interesting barrels—often over 10 years old—and blends them to create a unique, non-age-stated but aged-forward experience.
Blending as Art:
Where Fusion was about science and transparency, Discovery is about intuition and palate. Blends might include high-rye bourbons from Indiana, wheated mash bills from Kentucky, or even mystery distillates with undisclosed origins. Each bottle is a new composition.
Examples:
- Discovery #4 featured four bourbons ranging from 10 to 13 years old, with one component being a high-corn Indiana bourbon rarely used in premium blends.
- Discovery #7 included a 17-year-old Tennessee bourbon with complex herbal and oak tones.
Flavor Profile:
- Dark fruit, leather, and tobacco from aged barrels
- Complexity from varied mash bills and warehouse climates
- Often bottled at barrel strength (114–117 proof range)
Why It Matters:
The Discovery Series elevated Bardstown from “just another distillery” to a master blender’s house. These are collector-grade bottles that also educate the market about the possibilities of bourbon blending.
Collaborative Series: Where Worlds Collide
If Fusion and Discovery represent the vertical arc of aging and blending, the Collaborative Series explores bourbon’s horizontal range—its ability to absorb and reflect other flavors, cultures, and categories.
The Concept:
Take BBCo’s own distillate or sourced bourbons and finish them in barrels that previously held something else—then partner with the producers of those barrels to co-create the release.
Partnership Examples:
- Phifer Pavitt Cabernet Finish: A Napa winery collaboration—bourbon finished in deep, lush cabernet barrels.
- Copper & Kings Brandy Finish: Bourbon finished in muscat mistelle and American brandy casks for tropical and stone fruit notes.
- Founders Brewing KBS Finish: Bourbon aged in barrels previously used for Founders’ famous KBS stout—rich, chocolate-forward, almost dessert-like.
Flavor Profile:
Highly variable, but often includes:
- Sweet wine or port-like tannins
- Roasted or malty beer notes
- Nutty, rancio-style complexity
Why It Matters:
This series put Bardstown Bourbon Company at the forefront of modern finishing innovation. It also brought the world of whiskey closer to that of wine and beer, encouraging new kinds of tasting conversations and cross-industry appeal.
Origin Series: The Arrival of a True Estate Distillate
In 2022, Bardstown Bourbon Company reached a major milestone: releasing its first fully in-house, fully matured whiskey under the Origin Series label. No sourcing. No blending with outside barrels. Just BBCo’s distillate—grain-to-glass.
Flagship Bottles:
- Origin Series Bourbon (6 Year)
- 60% corn, 36% rye, 4% malted barley
- A bold, spice-forward high-rye bourbon
- Aged six years in Bardstown’s own rickhouses
- 96 proof
- Origin Series Wheated Bourbon (6 Year)
- 68% corn, 20% wheat, 12% malted barley
- Creamy and soft, with peach cobbler and butterscotch notes
- Origin Series Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon (6 Year)
- Classic 100-proof bonded expression
- Showcases the DNA of Bardstown’s base spirit
- Notes of cinnamon, stone fruit, and burnt sugar
- Origin Rye Finished in Toasted Cherry Oak
- Limited release innovation
- Shows off the company’s range beyond traditional bourbon
Why It Matters:
The Origin Series marks the full evolution of Bardstown Bourbon Company—from sourcing and blending to self-sufficient, grain-to-glass production. It proved the company could walk the talk. And it laid the foundation for true age-stated product lines going forward.
The Engine Room: Inside Bardstown Bourbon’s Whiskey-Making Process
While Bardstown Bourbon Company is well known for its design, hospitality, and branding, its core strength lies in how it actually makes whiskey. Beneath the glass and chrome architecture is a humming industrial complex engineered to do something few distilleries can: produce a vast variety of mash bills, fermentation styles, and barrel specs with precision—and repeat it every time.
Fermentation: Building Flavor From the Start
BBCo uses 36,000-gallon fermenters, and they currently have more than 40 of them operating simultaneously. While many craft distilleries use one or two proprietary mash bills, Bardstown runs dozens—many developed in collaboration with client brands. This includes:
- Traditional high-corn Kentucky mash bills
- High-rye recipes (over 35% rye)
- Wheated bourbon formulas
- Malt-heavy experimental runs
- Rye whiskeys and even international-inspired grain bills
Fermentation time can be adjusted depending on the flavor profile desired—typically ranging between 3 and 5 days. BBCo has the ability to control fermentation temperatures with high precision, helping them target desired ester formation, which directly impacts fruit and floral flavor tones.
Yeast Management:
BBCo maintains a library of yeast strains, including those custom-selected by their clients. Each strain affects the outcome of the distillate differently, contributing to the complexity or softness of the finished product.
Distillation: Where Science Meets Art
The distillation process at Bardstown is built on column stills (continuous distillation), not pot stills. As of 2023, the company operates three massive Vendome copper column stills, each designed for high-volume yet high-quality production.
Key features:
- Column stills are 36 inches in diameter and up to 50 feet tall
- Each still can be calibrated for proof targets (generally around 135 proof off the still)
- Heads, hearts, and tails cuts are software-controlled for precision but reviewed by humans for taste
Doubler & Spirit Quality:
The use of a doubler (a secondary distillation unit) polishes the distillate and gives it that smooth, rounded mouthfeel. Each run is lab-tested for congener content, ensuring consistency.
Innovation Note:
Because of the wide variety of mash bills and yeast strains, BBCo’s distillers often switch between vastly different production runs—sometimes on the same day. This requires not just technical skill, but robust tracking systems.
Aging: The Silent Sculptor
Bardstown Bourbon Company has some of the most modern rickhouses in the industry. These aren’t the picturesque, black-washed barns from the 1800s. Instead, they are:
- Glass-paneled and climate-aware
- Structured for both airflow and controlled heat exposure
- Capable of holding over 500,000 barrels on site
Unlike traditional rack-style warehouses, Bardstown’s rickhouses are engineered to allow for more consistent maturation, reducing variances between barrel positions.
Barrel Specs:
- Most barrels are 53 gallons, toasted and charred (usually char level 3 or 4)
- Some experimental barrels use different oak sources (e.g., French oak, cherry wood)
- Barrels are sourced from top cooperages like Independent Stave and Kelvin Cooperage
Toasted Finishes:
In their Origin and Collaborative lines, Bardstown has experimented with toasted barrel finishes, post-aging. Toasted barrels are less aggressively charred and allow for more complex caramelization and spice development in the whiskey.
Ignition: The Software Backbone of Bardstown Bourbon
At the heart of Bardstown Bourbon’s distilling operation is a proprietary software system called Ignition. Developed in-house by the BBCo team and continuously refined, it allows for complete digital oversight of the distilling process—from mash bill formulation to barrel entry proof.
What Ignition Tracks:
- Mash bill specs for every run
- Fermentation temperature and duration
- Yeast strain and nutrient inputs
- Still performance, cut points, and yield
- Barrel tracking by warehouse, position, and fill date
- Client-specific specs for custom batches
Why It Matters:
Ignition isn’t just a spreadsheet on steroids. It’s a full data system that allows distillers, blenders, and clients to monitor and log the minute-by-minute activity of their whiskey in real time. For contract partners, this means radical transparency. For BBCo, it means error reduction and product consistency across thousands of SKUs.
Sustainability Practices: Quietly Leading the Way
While Bardstown doesn’t loudly market itself as a green distillery, it has implemented several sustainability measures that put it ahead of industry norms.
Water Management:
- Uses a closed-loop cooling system to recycle process water
- Recovers and reuses water for cleaning and fermentation
- Partnered with Bardstown’s municipal wastewater treatment to minimize load
Spent Grain Recycling:
- All spent mash and stillage are repurposed as livestock feed for local farms
- The facility has been certified for safe, clean waste discharge
Energy Efficiency:
- LED lighting and energy-efficient HVAC systems throughout the facility
- Monitoring systems reduce energy use during non-production hours
- Plans underway to add solar panels to offset peak usage
Distilling for Others: The Bardstown Contract Distilling Model
One of Bardstown Bourbon Company’s greatest contributions to the whiskey industry is its ability to produce for other brands at scale—without turning into a faceless sourcing operation like MGP. Instead of selling “mystery juice,” Bardstown works hand-in-hand with its clients to create tailored recipes and maturation plans.
What Sets BBCo Apart:
- Clients don’t just pick from a menu—they help design the dish
- BBCo does not release their clients’ whiskey under its own label
- They store, manage, and even bottle client product onsite
- Clients have access to lab testing, proofing, and blending services
Brands That Have Used BBCo Contract Services:
- Kentucky Owl
- Belle Meade
- Jefferson’s
- High West
- Others under NDA
How It Works:
- Client visits the Bardstown facility
- Collaborates with the distilling team to craft a mash bill
- Approves yeast strain and fermentation parameters
- BBCo distills, barrels, and ages the product
- Client receives reports via Ignition and samples for aging notes
- Product is bottled on-site or shipped for external bottling
Economic Model:
For many brands, this approach reduces upfront capital expenditure by tens of millions. They get the prestige of a Kentucky distillate, tailored to their flavor vision, without building their own distillery.
The People Behind the Whiskey: Distillers, Blenders, Builders
Steve Nally – The Legacy Keeper
No discussion of Bardstown Bourbon Company’s authenticity can begin without Steve Nally, one of the industry’s most revered master distillers. Nally brings over 40 years of experience, most notably from his time at Maker’s Mark, where he helped shape the flavor profile of one of bourbon’s most iconic wheated mash bills.
What Steve Nally Represents:
- A bridge between the old guard and modern innovation
- Deep expertise in fermentation, barrel influence, and distillation nuance
- Respect from peers that validated Bardstown’s credibility early on
As Bardstown began scaling in both volume and ambition, Nally’s role shifted toward mentorship and guidance—overseeing production quality and mentoring a new generation of distillers.
Nick Smith – Head Distiller & Data-Driven Craftsman
Brought on board as Bardstown expanded, Nick Smith represents the next generation of whiskey thinkers. Smith combines a deep appreciation for traditional Kentucky bourbon with a rigorous understanding of data analytics, process control, and experimental formulation.
Under Smith’s leadership, Bardstown has launched new mash bills, expanded into rye whiskey and finishing experiments, and developed some of its most technical releases, including the Origin Series Bottled-in-Bond.
Dan Callaway – Master Blender
A classically trained musician and sommelier, Dan Callaway now serves as Bardstown Bourbon Company’s Master Blender, overseeing all whiskey blending, sensory design, and flavor development across the brand’s portfolio. His role is central to releases like the Discovery Series, Fusion Series, and the Collaborative Series—where his blending philosophy balances transparency, creativity, and complexity.
Before his promotion, Callaway led the company’s customer experience and beverage program. He also created Bardstown’s immersive sensory education program, where visitors learn to identify esters, wood compounds, and aging effects through guided tastings. He continues to spearhead collaborations with wineries, breweries, and chefs that push the boundaries of bourbon finishing and culinary pairing.
Mark Erwin – President & CEO
Appointed after the Pritzker acquisition, Mark Erwin is an operations and growth strategist who helped Bardstown transition from a regional craft brand into a national force. His background in scaling high-growth consumer goods companies has helped lay the groundwork for BBCo’s next chapter: global visibility and distribution.
The Community Impact: Bardstown, Kentucky Reimagined
Bourbon Capital of the World—With a Twist
Bardstown, Kentucky has long claimed the title of the “Bourbon Capital of the World”. With historic neighbors like Heaven Hill, Willett, and Lux Row, it’s hard to dispute. But for decades, the town’s bourbon identity was rooted in nostalgia. Tours focused on aged rickhouses, brand legacies, and the quaint Americana of it all.
Bardstown Bourbon Company changed that narrative.
A Modern Anchor for a Historic Town
Rather than compete with its traditional neighbors, BBCo brought a new demographic of visitors—millennials, foodies, tech-savvy enthusiasts—who might not have otherwise traveled to central Kentucky.
- The campus’s architecture contrasts beautifully with traditional rickhouses
- The Kitchen & Bar draws diners from Louisville and Lexington for destination dining
- Events like the annual Bardstown Bourbon Festival now feature modern panel discussions and industry talks, many hosted at BBCo
The result? A rising tide that lifted the town’s hospitality sector, job market, and profile in national travel media.
Jobs and Economic Impact
- Bardstown Bourbon Company employs over 200 people on-site
- Dozens of contractors and suppliers support the distillery through cooperage, agriculture, and distribution
- Partnerships with Kentucky colleges have brought internship programs and job training opportunities into the bourbon industry
Real Estate Effect:
Local tourism agencies have cited BBCo as a key reason for a spike in short-term rentals and boutique hotel interest in the Bardstown area post-2020.
The Bardstown Bourbon Experience: More Than a Tour
Bardstown Bourbon Company was one of the first distilleries in Kentucky to approach whiskey tourism like a luxury hospitality business, not a historical exhibit.
The Kitchen & Bar
Led by a rotating team of chefs with backgrounds in Southern cuisine and modern gastronomy, the on-site restaurant is known for its seasonal, bourbon-friendly menu.
Signature Dishes:
- Smoked duck breast with bourbon-cherry glaze
- Grit fritters with pimento cheese and bourbon molasses
- Barrel stave-grilled filet with Origin Series pairing flight
The Visitor Center & Guided Tours
BBCo’s tours are structured like a production immersion. Visitors don’t just watch fermentation tanks from behind glass—they can walk alongside barrels, touch raw grains, and sip distillate off the still.
Tour Highlights:
- Distillation walk-through with cut-points explained
- Comparative tasting of new make vs. aged spirits
- Barrel sampling straight from the rickhouse
Advanced tours even allow guests to blend their own bourbon using lab equipment, beakers, and guidance from staff blenders.
Louisville Tasting Room Expansion
In 2024, Bardstown Bourbon Company opened a dedicated tasting room in downtown Louisville, expanding its reach into urban bourbon tourism. The space offers:
- Flights of Fusion, Discovery, Origin, and Collaborative Series
- Seasonal cocktails developed by top mixologists
- Education events and release parties
This move solidified Bardstown Bourbon’s role as a statewide presence, not just a rural campus.
Expansion & Ambition: Bardstown’s Strategy for National and Global Growth
From Kentucky to Everywhere
With strong foundations in contract distilling and a distinctive product portfolio, Bardstown Bourbon Company has rapidly become one of the fastest-growing premium bourbon brands in America. But it has no intention of stopping at U.S. borders.
Following its acquisition by Pritzker Private Capital in 2022, Bardstown began investing heavily in distribution, strategic marketing, and international market entry. The company’s Origin Series, with its 100% estate-distilled credentials and sleek packaging, was tailored specifically for broader retail appeal and shelf distinction in both domestic and foreign markets.
Key Markets Targeted:
- United Kingdom and Western Europe (particularly Germany and France)
- Australia and New Zealand
- Japan and South Korea
- Canada
Bardstown’s transparency-first model—clearly disclosing mash bills, aging specs, and finishing techniques—resonates with global spirits buyers increasingly seeking authenticity and traceability.
Retail Strategy and Premiumization
Bardstown’s pricing strategy is ambitious but fair. Entry points start around $39.99 for Origin Series bottles, with Discovery Series releases ranging up to $159.99 depending on age and scarcity. Unlike brands that rely on allocation hype, Bardstown aims to scale access without compromising quality.
Retail partnerships with major outlets like Total Wine, BevMo!, and independent shops across bourbon-loving regions (Kentucky, Texas, New York, Illinois, California) ensure visibility, while the online platform supports direct-to-consumer sales where legal.
Key Tactics:
- Educational shelf talkers detailing blend components
- QR codes linking to mash bill and tasting breakdowns
- In-store seminars and exclusive barrel picks with retail partners
Innovation Pipeline: What’s Next at Bardstown Bourbon Company
Innovation is at the heart of Bardstown’s DNA. With in-house lab testing, dozens of mash bills in rotation, and a team of curious distillers, the company is constantly iterating on new ideas.
Key Projects and Directions in Development:
- Estate-Grown Grain Initiative
- Sourcing corn, wheat, and rye from Bardstown-area farms
- Creating a true grain-to-glass regional terroir line
- Solera Aging Systems
- Piloting a bourbon-solera aging system for a future permanent line
- Blends from different ages constantly refreshed to maintain complexity
- American Single Malt Expansion
- Early test batches of 100% malted barley whiskey, aged in new and used barrels
- A response to growing U.S. and international demand for this category
- Experimental Finishes
- Mezcal barrel-finished rye
- Toasted maple barrels
- Tequila cask bourbon for summer releases
- Sustainable Barrel Aging Projects
- Collaborations with cooperages to trial quicker-aging, energy-efficient methods using sonic waves, humidity cycling, and lower-impact wood sources
Challenges & Market Realities
No brand is without hurdles. Bardstown Bourbon’s rapid rise also places it under a unique kind of scrutiny—from both consumers and legacy competitors.
Sourcing Stigma and Transparency Paradox
While Bardstown leads the way in disclosing the contents of their blends, a portion of the whiskey-drinking public still views any sourcing as a red flag—even when it’s expertly handled.
- Bardstown has combatted this by being radically upfront about what’s sourced and why
- Their goal: normalize blending as a skill, not a shortcut
Market Saturation
The craft bourbon explosion means Bardstown is competing in a crowded field. Maintaining identity while expanding reach is no easy feat. But BBCo’s multichannel approach—contract distilling, own-label growth, education, and hospitality—gives it a diversified base to weather downturns or shifting consumer trends.
Balancing Scale and Craft
Perhaps the most existential question: Can Bardstown remain innovative and personal while scaling into a global brand? So far, its balance of data, design, and human expertise has held—but long-term, the company must ensure it never becomes “just another big distillery.”
Legacy in the Making: Bardstown’s Role in the New Bourbon Era
Blending is the New Distilling
Thanks in part to Bardstown, blending—once maligned as lesser than single-barrel or single-distillery production—is now celebrated. Discovery Series releases are treated like works of art, with tasting panels and blend sheets dissected like symphonies. This has inspired other brands to embrace blend transparency.
Contract Distilling Reinvented
Unlike traditional sourcing hubs like MGP, Bardstown has reimagined contract distilling as a collaborative, high-touch, prestige-driven process. As a result, it has become the go-to partner for mid-size and emerging brands looking to scale with quality.
Tourism Rewritten
Bardstown redefined what a Kentucky distillery visit could be—interactive, modern, culinary-focused. This has influenced not just new brands, but even legacy giants (like Heaven Hill’s newly revamped visitor experience) to step up.
A Brand Without Baggage
Most bourbon giants are tied to legacy—old warehouses, Prohibition backstories, family names. Bardstown has none of that. And yet, it doesn’t feel hollow. Instead, it feels forward-facing, as though bourbon can evolve in real time without needing a myth to carry it.
Final Thoughts: Why Bardstown Bourbon Company Matters
Bardstown Bourbon Company isn’t just another shiny new brand in the whiskey space. It is a living blueprint for how American spirits can grow—without losing craft, without hiding process, and without relying on nostalgia.
In just over a decade, BBCo has:
- Produced whiskey for over 30 brands
- Released fully estate-distilled bourbons and ryes
- Built one of Kentucky’s best distillery visitor experiences
- Helped define the next wave of bourbon blending and collaboration
- Created a technology platform (Ignition) that could change how whiskey is tracked and shared
- Set the tone for what “modern bourbon” can mean
For whiskey lovers, industry professionals, or newcomers to bourbon culture, Bardstown Bourbon Company offers more than great spirits. It offers clarity, creativity, and credibility—three values that may define the next century of American whiskey just as much as corn, charred oak, and Kentucky limestone.
Appendix: Notable Awards & Recognitions for Bardstown Bourbon Company
Though still relatively young compared to its historic neighbors, Bardstown Bourbon Company has earned a substantial list of awards, reflecting both the quality of its whiskey and the strength of its innovation.
San Francisco World Spirits Competition (SFWSC)
One of the most respected spirits competitions globally, the SFWSC is known for rigorous blind tasting evaluations by expert judges. Bardstown Bourbon Company has consistently performed well in multiple years.
2021
- Discovery Series #4 – Double Gold
- Fusion Series #4 – Gold
- Collaborative Series: Château de Laubade Armagnac Finish – Double Gold
2022
- Discovery Series #6 – Gold
- Fusion Series #6 – Silver
- Collaborative Series: Founders KBS Finish – Gold
2023
- Origin Series High-Rye Bourbon – Double Gold
- Origin Series Bottled-in-Bond – Gold
- Collaborative Series: Plantation Rum Finish – Gold
2024
- Origin Series Wheated Bourbon – Double Gold
- Discovery Series #9 – Double Gold
- Mezcal Finish Rye (Collaborative Series) – Gold
Ascot Awards (Fred Minnick)
Curated by bourbon authority Fred Minnick, the Ascot Awards are quickly becoming a go-to for bourbon and American whiskey validation.
- Discovery Series #5 – Ascot Platinum Winner
- Origin Series High-Rye Bourbon – Gold
- Collaborative Series: Copper & Kings Mistelle Finish – Gold
Whisky Advocate Top 20
Published annually, Whisky Advocate’s Top 20 recognizes the most impressive whiskeys of the year based on blind tastings, innovation, and value.
- Discovery Series #4 – Ranked #7 in 2021
- Origin Series Bottled-in-Bond – Ranked #12 in 2023
- Collaborative Series: Château de Laubade – Honorable Mention 2020
Ultimate Spirits Challenge
A prestigious international competition based in New York that scores spirits out of 100.
- Discovery Series #3 – 95 Points
- Fusion Series #5 – 93 Points
- Origin Series Rye Finished in Toasted Cherry Oak – 94 Points
Wine Enthusiast Buying Guide Ratings
Though traditionally focused on wine, Wine Enthusiast has expanded into spirits with professional ratings and tasting panels.
- Fusion Series #6 – 90 Points
- Discovery Series #7 – 94 Points
- Origin Series Wheated Bourbon – 95 Points, “Editor’s Choice”
- Collaborative Series: Armagnac Finish – 94 Points, “Cellar Selection”
Breaking Bourbon and Bourbonr Community Accolades
While not formal competitions, these digital communities reflect influential consumer voices.
- Discovery Series #6 – Top 10 Blend of the Year (Breaking Bourbon)
- Origin Series – Best New Distillate Line 2023 (Bourbonr Poll)
- Château de Laubade Finish – Top Experimental Finish 2020 (Bourbonr)
Final Word
Bardstown Bourbon Company has achieved more in a decade than many distilleries accomplish in generations. Its awards prove that this is not just a high-volume, high-concept operation—but a true craft-first, palate-driven, and globally competitive whiskey house.
With each new release, Bardstown is not only refining its own portfolio, but continuing to reshape what American bourbon can be.
