Bardstown Bourbon Company tells BourbonBlog.com that their second Distillery Reserve release, Hokkaido Mizunara Oak, delivering wild, winding wood grain and unmatched flavor in this rare whiskey exploration.
This latest Distillery Reserve release, Hokkaido Mizunara Oak, continues the brand’s mission to redefine the limits of American whiskey.
With whiskeys aged up to 18 years old and presented at 109.3 proof (54.65% alc. by volume) and bottled in 375mL format, this extremely limited expression is now available exclusively at Bardstown Bourbon’s distillery gift shop and Louisville tasting room for $99.99.
From the remote forests of Japan to the rolling hills of Kentucky, Hokkaido Japanese Mizunara Oak Barrel Finish explores the boundaries of flavor and barrel artistry in a rare global collaboration. This small-batch whiskey blends tradition and innovation through an extraordinary 28-month finishing journey in rare Japanese oak.
QUESTION: What’s your favorite expression from Bardstown Bourbon Company? Whether it’s from the Origin Series or a rare finish like Mizunara Oak, tell us what’s in your glass in the comments under this link.
The Breakdown of the Whiskeys and How It is Made
A careful blend of 9- to 18-year-old aged whiskeys was selected for balance and complexity, then finished in six massive 66-gallon barrels crafted from Japanese Mizunara oak, known for its twisted grain and elusive flavor. See breakdown of the blend below.
The distillery says the whiskey begins with rich American notes of caramel, toasted oak, and vanilla, and evolves into sandalwood, subtle coconut, and incense on the finish.
| BLEND | ORIGIN | AGE | MASH BILL |
|---|---|---|---|
| 47% | KENTUCKY | 15 YR | CORN 75% RYE 13% MALTED BARLEY 12% |
| 33% | KENTUCKY | 14 YR | CORN 78% RYE 10% MALTED BARLEY 4% |
| 15% | INDIANA | 9 YR | CORN 45% RYE 51% MALTED BARLEY 4% |
| 5% | TENNESSEE | 18 YR | CORN 84% RYE 8% MALTED BARLEY 8% |
Following the Acclaimed Cathedral French Oak Featured on 60 Minutes
This release follows the widely acclaimed Cathedral French Oak, the debut expression in Bardstown’s Distillery Reserve series, which was featured on CBS’ 60 Minutes.
Bourbon expert Tom Fischer reviewed Cathedral French Oak in athis video highlighting the innovation and craftsmanship that defines the series. Hokkaido Mizunara Oak builds upon that legacy by delving even deeper into rare oak finishing and global influence.
Inside the Finishing Journey
The finishing process began in Warehouse H at Bardstown’s distillery campus, in a room custom-built to house oversized barrels.
The environment’s extreme temperature swings encouraged bold extraction, raising the proof and unlocking the Mizunara’s exotic character. The barrels were then relocated to the heart of Warehouse E—one of Bardstown’s largest rickhouses—where the whiskey was allowed to slowly concentrate and mellow into its final balance.
“Mizunara oak is unlike anything else in the world,” said Dan Callaway, Master Blender, Lofted Spirits. “The wood’s unpredictable nature demands skill and reverence, but the payoff is extraordinary. This release is a tribute to craftsmanship—Japanese and American—meeting at the highest level.”
Mizunara oak trees, native to Japan’s northern Hokkaido province, grow slowly in remote, volcanic soil. Their twisted grain and high moisture content make coopering extremely difficult, and barrels made from the wood are both rare and expensive. Only six barrels were used in this release.
The post Bardstown Bourbon Company’s Hokkaido Mizunara Oak: Second Distillery Reserve Release first appeared on BourbonBlog.
