Release Radar: Bardstown Bourbon Co. Distillery Reserve, Normandie Calvados Brandy Barrel Finish

Bardstown Bourbon Continues French Romance with New Calvados Finish

Bardstown Bourbon Company is doubling down on their French connection with the second release in their innovative Distillery Reserve series. Following the remarkable success of their Cathedral French Oak finish—which has sold out virtually everywhere—the Kentucky distillery has unveiled their latest experiment: Bardstown Bourbon Co. Distillery Reserve, Normandie Calvados Brandy Barrel Finish.

The new label approval reveals an intriguing maturation process: straight bourbon whiskey aged 28 months in Christian Drouin Calvados barrels, then refined for an additional 4 months in toasted American barrels. The blend itself consists of 76% Indiana bourbon aged 13 years (mash bill 75/21/4) and 24% Indiana bourbon aged 12 years (also 75/21/4 mash bill). This dual-finishing approach promises to deliver layers of complexity that marry Kentucky bourbon tradition with Norman apple brandy heritage.

The French Theme Continues

The choice to follow their Cathedral French Oak with a Calvados finish isn't coincidental. Bardstown appears committed to exploring France's rich barrel-aging traditions, and this latest release reinforces that theme beautifully. Where the inaugural release drew from 300-year-old French oak that helped restore Notre Dame Cathedral, this second expression taps into the artisanal world of Normandy's apple brandies.

Christian Drouin brings serious credentials to this collaboration. The family-owned Pays d'Auge distillery has been crafting vintage Calvados for three generations, earning over 230 gold medals in international spirits competitions. Their accolades include being named Best European Spirits Producer in 2013 and creating the World's Best Calvados in 2017. With 25 varieties of cider apples grown on traditional high-stem trees, Drouin represents the pinnacle of Norman distilling tradition.

What to Expect

The 28-month aging in Calvados barrels should impart distinctive apple and pear notes, along with the subtle spice and complexity that quality brandy barrels provide. The subsequent 4-month refinement in toasted American oak will likely integrate these French influences while adding back some classic bourbon character—vanilla, caramel, and that signature American oak sweetness.

Like its predecessor, this release embodies Bardstown's "Never Stand Still" philosophy, representing one of hundreds of experiments tucked away in their warehouses. The Distillery Reserve series continues to offer whiskey enthusiasts access to small-batch innovations that might otherwise remain hidden gems.

Availability and Speculation

Following the pattern established by Cathedral French Oak, expect this Normandie Calvados finish to be available exclusively at Bardstown's gift shops in Bardstown and Louisville. Given the sellout success of the first release, bourbon hunters should move quickly when this becomes available.

The consistency of the French theme raises an interesting question: will Bardstown continue this Gallic exploration throughout the Distillery Reserve series? With France's rich tradition of barrel-aging everything from wine to cognac to armagnac, there's certainly no shortage of inspiration for future releases.

Whether this French focus was intentional from the start or simply reflects the exceptional barrels available to Bardstown's team, it's creating a compelling narrative that sets the Distillery Reserve series apart in an increasingly crowded finished whiskey market.