Review: Bardstown Bourbon Co. Collaborative Series: Ferrand Cognac

Bardstown Bourbon Company’s latest Collaboration release turns to our friends at Maison Ferrand for support, with a complex blend of bourbon and rye, finished for an undisclosed period of time in Ferrand Cognac casks. A different collab was first released in 2021 (we didn’t review it at the time); the 2025 edition is a new blend that is 93% Kentucky stock and 7% homegrown rye from BBCo.

In the bottle are four base whiskeys:

73% 9-year old Kentucky bourbon, 10% 11-year old Kentucky bourbon, 10% 12-year old Kentucky bourbon, and 7% BBCo’s own 6-year old rye (95% rye, 5% barley). All the bourbons have rye in the mash, and all have slightly different mashbills (and likely sources).

Let’s give it a spin.

Bardstown Bourbon Co. Ferrand Cognac Finish Review

I struggled initially with the nose on this whiskey, which I found surprisingly corny and heavily charred, showcasing bold rye-heavy overtones of eucalyptus and fresh tobacco. Rye is dominant throughout, and it really doesn’t let up, offering an aggressively green aromatic profile that’s backed up by cracked pepper and dried jasmine. Hints of mustard leaf perk up, but time in glass evokes a heavier floral character.

The palate is chewy with aggressive caramel and butterscotch notes, moving into a brown butter quality with time in glass. Further reflection allows some of the Cognac character to emerge — hints of raisins, then telltale florals, heavy on lavender. Gently chocolaty on the finish, with echoes of rye spice meandering into mint.

It’s a lively and unexpected whiskey, albeit one that feels a little disjointed at times.

111.8 proof.

B+ / $140 [BUY IT NOW FROM FROOTBAT]

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