Bardstown Bourbon Company 2026 Discovery Garryana Oak Finish

Bardstown Bourbon Company 2026 Discovery Garryana Oak Finish

Bardstown Bourbon Company 2026 Discovery pushes the brand’s acclaimed blending program in a new direction by pairing mature bourbon with one of North America’s rarest and most distinctive oak species. The release combines carefully selected 7-, 10- and 11-year-old straight bourbons chosen for their balance of fruit, mature oak and structure before undergoing an additional four-month finish in custom-made Garryana oak barrels.

Also known as Oregon White Oak, Garryana is native to the Pacific Northwest and is prized in whiskey production for its dense grain and distinctive aromatic character. Bardstown Bourbon Company notes that the oak can contribute flavors such as clove and nutmeg, while the finishing process was deliberately kept restrained so that the mature bourbon remains at the center of the profile.

Bottled at a robust 112.8 proof / 56.4% ABV, 2026 Discovery opens with toasted oak, burnt sugar and baked apple cobbler before developing dried cherry and cinnamon bark across the palate. The finish is long, warming and structured, with the Garryana oak providing an extra layer of spice without overwhelming the underlying bourbon.

The 2026 release also marks a visual evolution for Discovery. Bardstown Bourbon commissioned Louisville artist Margaret Archambault to create artwork inspired by the whiskey’s aroma, flavor and texture, with the resulting painting incorporated into the bottle design.

For collectors, this is an especially compelling release: a limited, high-proof blend of mature bourbon, finished in scarce American oak and representing the beginning of Discovery’s new annually dated era.