Bardstown Bourbon Co. Discovery Series #13 750ML

Bardstown Bourbon Co. Discovery Series #13 is a 750ml blended Kentucky bourbon bottled at 110.8 proof (55.4% ABV), combining four distinct bourbon components aged between 8 and 15 years. This thirteenth installment marks a milestone as the first double-finished expression in the Discovery Series lineup, with portions of the blend rested in both new American white oak and Hungarian oak barrels.

Quick Facts: ABV: 55.4% (110.8 proof)  |  Origin: Kentucky, USA  |  Blend of 8-, 9-, and 15-year bourbons  |  Distillery: Bardstown Bourbon Company

Production & Heritage

Bardstown Bourbon Company, located in Bardstown, Kentucky — often called the bourbon capital of the world — has built its reputation on the Discovery Series, a line of blended bourbons that showcases the art of sourcing and finishing. Discovery #13 draws from four separate Kentucky bourbons: a 45% portion of 9-year bourbon (74% corn, 18% rye, 8% malted barley), a 22% portion of 9-year bourbon (78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley), a 20% portion of 15-year bourbon (75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley), and a 13% portion of 8-year bourbon (70% corn, 21% rye, 9% malted barley). Approximately 60% of the final blend was finished in new American white oak barrels, while the remaining 40% was finished in Hungarian oak barrels for four months — a dual-finishing technique that distinguishes this release from every prior Discovery Series entry.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Stewed dark fruits dominate the nose immediately, followed by Luxardo cherry, caramel, and vanilla custard. Underneath, apple fry cake sweetness adds a baked, doughy warmth that rounds out the aromatic profile.

Taste: The vanilla custard note from the nose transitions into a distinct crème brûlée character on the palate, complete with candied sugar sweetness. Dark fruits, toffee, and graham cracker build through the mid-palate, while clove and a peppery rye spice emerge on the back end, adding structure and complexity. At 110.8 proof, the heat is present but well-integrated, amplifying rather than overwhelming the underlying sweetness.

Finish: The finish opens with baking spices and cinnamon before settling into cherry pie, toasted oak, and a persistent rye-driven spice. It is long and layered, with the Hungarian oak influence lending a subtle tannic dryness that balances the sweeter fruit and caramel notes.

How to Drink Discovery Series #13

Given the complexity of its four-bourbon blend and dual-barrel finishing, this expression rewards neat sipping at full proof or with a few drops of water to open the darker fruit and oak layers. It also holds up remarkably well in spirit-forward cocktails. An Old Fashioned benefits from the built-in crème brûlée sweetness and baking spice, reducing the need for heavy sugar additions. A Boulevardier pairs the dark fruit and toffee notes against Campari's bitterness for a rich, layered drink. A Manhattan works particularly well here, as the rye-spice backbone and cherry pie finish complement sweet vermouth naturally.

Best For

• Bourbon collectors tracking each Discovery Series release
• Gifting a whiskey enthusiast who appreciates barrel-finished expressions
• Side-by-side tastings comparing American white oak and Hungarian oak influence
• Special-occasion sipping where proof and complexity both matter

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Discovery Series #13 taste like? It leads with rich crème brûlée, dark stewed fruits, and toffee sweetness, then transitions into peppery rye spice, clove, and toasted oak with a long cinnamon-laced finish.

How does Discovery #13 compare to Woodford Reserve Double Oaked? Both emphasize secondary barrel finishing and share caramel and vanilla richness, but Discovery #13 runs significantly hotter at 110.8 proof versus Woodford Double Oaked's 90.4 proof, and its blend of four mashbills and Hungarian oak finishing add layers of dark fruit, clove, and tannic complexity that Woodford's single-recipe approach does not deliver.

Is Discovery #13 good for sipping neat? Yes — despite its 110.8 proof, the blend's dark fruit sweetness and layered oak character make it an engaging neat pour, though a few drops of water can help unlock additional nuance for those sensitive to higher proof.

Where is Discovery Series #13 made? It is blended and finished at Bardstown Bourbon Company's distillery in Bardstown, Kentucky, using sourced bourbon components from undisclosed Kentucky distilleries.

What foods pair well with Discovery #13? Dark chocolate truffles complement the toffee and crème brûlée sweetness. Smoked pork belly matches the toasted oak and baking spice. Cherry clafoutis echoes the cherry pie notes on the finish. Aged Gouda bridges the caramel richness and rye spice. Pecan pie mirrors the graham cracker and vanilla custard character.

What sizes does Discovery #13 come in? Discovery Series #13 is available in the standard 750ml bottle size.

Is Discovery #13 worth the price? Discovery Series #13 positions as a premium limited-release bourbon, and the inclusion of a 15-year component, the dual-barrel finishing in American white oak and Hungarian oak, and the cask-strength proof point all contribute meaningful complexity that justifies its place in the upper tier of blended bourbon pricing.

Why Discovery Series #13?

The defining achievement of this release is its dual finishing — the first time Bardstown Bourbon Company has double-finished a Discovery Series blend. The Hungarian oak barrels introduce a tannic structure and subtle spice character that complements rather than competes with the new American white oak's caramel and vanilla influence. Having a 15-year bourbon comprising 20% of the blend adds a depth of aged oak and dried fruit that the younger components alone cannot provide. For drinkers who follow the Discovery Series, #13 represents a genuine evolution in technique, not merely a new batch number.