September is National Bourbon Heritage Month, making it the perfect time to discover something a little different in the whiskey world. While traditional bourbon lovers may swear by new charred oak, Montana-based Ghostwood Whiskey is proving there’s still room for a little creativity after the barrel leaves the rickhouse.

One of the brand’s most intriguing expressions is its Blended Bourbon Whiskey Finished in Chardonnay Casks … a bourbon that takes a familiar flavor profile and gives it an unexpected, wine-inspired finish.

If the idea of bourbon meeting Chardonnay sounds unusual, that’s because it is. After aging as bourbon, the whiskey spends additional time in former Chardonnay barrels, adding subtle layers of fruit, softness, and complexity without overpowering the character bourbon fans know and love. It’s an interesting twist that’s perfect for anyone looking to expand their whiskey horizons.

Ghostwood’s foundation begins with a four-grain blend that already sets it apart from many bourbons. Midwestern corn provides classic sweetness, rye contributes spice and structure, red wheat rounds everything out with a softer, earthy character, and malted barley ties the entire mash bill together. The result is a bourbon with plenty of depth before it ever reaches a Chardonnay cask.

The unique finishing process has earned attention from the spirits world as well. Ghostwood’s Blended Bourbon Whiskey Finished in Chardonnay Casks received a Silver Medal at the 2024 San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

The winery finish isn’t the only bottle collecting awards. Ghostwood’s flagship Premium 4-Grain Blended Bourbon Whiskey earned Double Gold Medals at the prestigious San Francisco World Spirits Competition in both 2023 and 2024. Meanwhile, the brand’s Black Barrel Proof Premium 4-Grain Blended Bourbon Whiskey picked up Silver Medals in consecutive years as well.

Of course, Ghostwood is about more than what’s in the bottle.

The Montana brand embraces the motto “Go Beyond the Firelight,” encouraging whiskey lovers to gather, tell stories, and create new memories. Every bottle features the silhouette of an actual American white oak tree that stands on the founder’s family ranch. The tree … displayed in white against the brand’s signature black label … represents the oak barrels that shape every bourbon, while also symbolizing the conversations, celebrations, adventures, and even ghost stories that unfold whenever friends share a pour.

For more information, cocktail recipes, or to explore the full Ghostwood Whiskey collection, check out ghostwoodwhiskey.com.