Bardstown Bourbon Co. Silver Oak Collaboration 750ML

Bardstown Bourbon Co. Silver Oak Collaboration 750ML is a 108-proof (54% ABV) blended straight bourbon finished in ex-cabernet sauvignon barrels from Silver Oak Cellars. What distinguishes this release is its ambitious architecture: six bourbons distilled across four states, aged 9 to 14 years, then married in wine casks for an additional 17 months of secondary maturation.

Quick Facts: ABV: 54% (108 Proof)  |  Origin: Kentucky, USA  |  Aged 9–14 Years, Cabernet Barrel Finished  |  Distillery: Bardstown Bourbon Company

Production & Heritage

Bardstown Bourbon Company, located in the heart of bourbon country in Bardstown, Kentucky, has built its reputation on its Collaborative Series — partnerships that merge whiskey with other producers' expertise. For this expression, the distillery blended six straight bourbons from Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana, and Georgia, incorporating four different grains across varying mashbills. The Tennessee component (12-year, 84% corn, 8% rye, 8% malted barley) and the Indiana component (9-year, 75% corn, 21% rye, 4% malted barley) anchor the blend with contrasting grain profiles, while a rare Georgia distillate (12-year, including 5% wheat) adds further complexity. After blending, the bourbon rested for approximately 17 months in former cabernet sauvignon barrels sourced directly from Silver Oak Cellars, the acclaimed Napa and Alexander Valley winery, imparting distinctive tannic structure and dark fruit character.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with ripe raspberry and black cherry, moving into toffee, roasted nuts, and charred oak. A distinct undercurrent of wine-barrel influence emerges — baked strawberry, plum skin, and a faint cocoa sweetness linger beneath the barrel char.

Taste: The entry is rich and full-bodied, leading with dark cherry and all-berry jam layered over caramel and walnut skins. At mid-palate, fig, dark chocolate, and coffee notes develop alongside a noticeable cabernet-driven tannic grip. Cinnamon spice and citrus peel add brightness through the peak, balancing the heavier fruit and oak tones.

Finish: Long and warming, with dark plum, grape jam, and light honey trailing off into tannic dryness. Toasted oak and a whisper of sweet caramel persist well after each sip.

How to Drink the Silver Oak Collaboration

Neat is the most rewarding serve here — the 108 proof carries enough intensity to benefit from a few drops of water or a single large ice cube, which opens the wine-barrel character without drowning the bourbon's core. For cocktails, this expression works particularly well in three formats: a Manhattan, where the cabernet-barrel tannins complement sweet vermouth and create a vinous depth rarely achieved by standard bourbon; a Boulevardier, where the dark fruit and cocoa notes harmonize with Campari's bitterness; and an Old Fashioned, where the inherent berry-jam sweetness reduces the need for added sugar, letting the barrel character lead.

Best For

• Gifting a wine enthusiast who is exploring premium bourbon
• Side-by-side tastings comparing wine-barrel-finished whiskeys
• After-dinner sipping alongside a cheese or charcuterie board
• Building a collection of limited collaborative bourbon releases

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Silver Oak Collaboration taste like? It delivers a full-bodied profile dominated by dark cherry, plum, berry jam, and caramel, with notable dark chocolate, coffee, and tannic dryness from the cabernet sauvignon barrel finish. The overall impression bridges bourbon richness with red-wine depth.

How does the Silver Oak Collaboration compare to Angel's Envy Bourbon? Both are wine-barrel-finished bourbons, but they diverge significantly in approach — Angel's Envy uses port barrels for a sweeter, softer profile at a lower 86.6 proof, while the Silver Oak Collaboration employs cabernet sauvignon barrels at a higher 108 proof, resulting in more tannic structure and darker fruit character. The Silver Oak blend also draws from multiple distillates aged 9 to 14 years, adding layers of complexity beyond what a single-source bourbon typically provides.

Is the Silver Oak Collaboration good for sipping neat? Yes — its 54% ABV delivers concentrated flavor without being overly aggressive, and a few drops of water reveal additional nuance from the wine-barrel finish. This is a bourbon designed for deliberate, unhurried tasting.

Where is the Silver Oak Collaboration made? It is produced and bottled by Bardstown Bourbon Company in Bardstown, Kentucky, though the blend sources straight bourbons distilled in Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana, and Georgia. The finishing barrels come from Silver Oak Cellars, whose wineries operate in Napa Valley and Alexander Valley, California.

What foods pair well with the Silver Oak Collaboration? Dark chocolate truffles echo the cocoa and berry notes in the bourbon. Aged Gouda or Gruyère mirrors the caramel and nutty undertones. Grilled lamb chops complement the tannic, wine-barrel character. A charcuterie board with dried figs and walnuts draws out the mid-palate richness. Berry-based desserts like blackberry cobbler amplify the fruit-forward finish.

What sizes does the Silver Oak Collaboration come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle.

Is the Silver Oak Collaboration worth the price? It positions as a premium collaborative release, sitting above everyday bourbon but justified by its multi-state blend of well-aged distillates (9–14 years) and 17 months of secondary maturation in sought-after Silver Oak cabernet barrels. For drinkers who value wine-barrel-finished whiskey with genuine complexity, it represents a serious expression in its price tier.

Why the Silver Oak Collaboration?

Few bourbon releases attempt what this bottle achieves — a six-component blend spanning four states, four grains, and age statements ranging from 9 to 14 years, unified through extended finishing in barrels from one of California's most recognized cabernet sauvignon producers. The result is not merely bourbon with a wine-barrel veneer; the 17-month finishing period integrates tannic structure and dark fruit deeply into the whiskey's DNA. At 108 proof, it retains enough barrel strength to reward patient exploration neat while still performing admirably in stirred cocktails. For drinkers who have grown tired of one-dimensional barrel finishes, the Silver Oak Collaboration demonstrates what thoughtful blending and premium cooperage can accomplish.