Sips & Sites & Bites

Let’s just say this: if you’ve ever wondered what happens when the spirit of Kentucky collides with the soul of a remote Japanese forest, Bardstown Bourbon’s new release has the answer … and it comes in a sleek little 375mL bottle.

Introducing Hokkaido Mizunara Oak Barrel Finish, the newest gem in Bardstown’s small-batch Distillery Reserve lineup, and the kind of whiskey that doesn’t just sip, it wanders.

This is a whiskey that’s taken a global path, finishing not just with finesse, but with the elemental intensity of Mizunara oak, one of the rarest and most temperamental woods in the world.

Here’s the journey: Bardstown’s team started with a blend of well-aged whiskeys … ranging from 9 to 18 years old … to craft a balanced foundation. Then, they sent that blend into six 66-gallon barrels made from Mizunara oak sourced from Hokkaido, Japan. That’s right, only six barrels. And instead of the usual cozy corner of a warehouse, these were given the VIP treatment; first in a special room in Warehouse H, then settled into the heart of Warehouse E. These are the places where temperatures swing and the oak gets to do its mysterious work.

Mizunara is no easy partner. Native to the remote, volcanic soils of Hokkaido, these trees grow slow and stubborn, twisting with age. The oak they yield is fragrant, unpredictable, and devilishly difficult to work with. But the results? Totally worth it.

At 109.3 proof, this whiskey doesn’t pull punches. The base notes offer familiar comforts; rich caramel, toasted oak, vanilla. But then it veers into the unexpected. Sandalwood. Coconut. A gentle thread of incense. It’s like an Old World temple visit wrapped inside a Kentucky hug.

Only available in 375mL bottles, the Hokkaido Mizunara Oak Barrel Finish lands July 11th and is exclusive to Bardstown’s distillery gift shop and their Louisville tasting room. At $99.99, it’s not your everyday pour, but this isn’t your everyday whiskey. It’s rare. It’s rugged. And it’s refined in the most unexpected ways.