Introduction
Today, we’re diving into the Bardstown Bourbon Company Collaborative Series Silver Oak. This is a blend of straight bourbon whiskey finished in cabernet barrels from Silver Oak Winery in California. The blend includes bourbons from Kentucky, Tennessee, Indiana, and Georgia, with the oldest being 14 years old and the youngest 9 years old. The variety of mash bills used in this blend adds complexity, and you can find the full breakdown on Bardstown Bourbon Company's website. Our job today is to see how it holds up and how it compares to the Bardstown Bourbon Company High Wheat that we reviewed a few weeks ago. Let’s dig in!
Nose
Bob: On the nose, this thing is rich, deep caramel and especially brown sugar. Lots of molasses for me. A lot of black pepper on the nose when I first popped this. Honestly, not a lot of grape influence; I didn’t get a ton of wine character on this, but more decadent bourbon notes. 8/10
Brad: For me, I’m picking up some strong sherry notes that lead into classic Christmas spices—cinnamon, nutmeg, and even a hint of candied almond. There’s also caramel and deep brown sugar. It’s a very warm, inviting nose. 8/10
Taste
Bob: The taste is dark, and I mean really dark. I put in my notes, ‘bourbon noir’ or ‘bourbon midnight.’ It just reminds me of bourbon at nighttime. I’m getting plum and raisin, which we also got on that high-wheat Bardstown Bourbon a few weeks ago. There's a bit of cabernet influence on the back end. But what stands out most is the oak, which comes through as slightly tannic. It’s not bitter, but it leans that way briefly before recovering. 8/10
Brad: I’m getting more of a cherry cordial vibe here, with caramel, brown sugar, and vanilla coming through strongly. It reminds me of a rich, dark toffee. This is a really flavorful whiskey, and I’m a big fan of it. 8.5/10
Finish
Bob: The finish brings out a "dusty" note, almost like an old barn or sawdust. There’s also a slight bitterness reminiscent of some toasted oak-finished whiskeys, which isn’t my favorite part. I’d say the fruitiest aspect of the whiskey shows up here, but it doesn’t quite redeem the bitterness for me. 7.5/10
Brad: love this finish. It brings back all the flavors I enjoyed earlier—nutmeg, cinnamon, toffee—and turns them into a soft butterscotch. The oakiness rounds it out nicely, and I find the balance between sweet and spicy really enjoyable. 8.5/10
Balance
Bob: As with most Bardstown whiskeys, this is really well balanced. I think it's the most bourbon-y of their finished whiskeys that I’ve had in a while, meaning the cabernet finish doesn’t take over. That said, I would have liked a bit more of the wine character to come through. Still, it’s very well crafted. 7.5/10
Brad: I think this whiskey strikes a beautiful balance. The complexity isn’t overwhelming, but it’s there, and the flavors blend together really well. Each sip feels cohesive and enjoyable. 8.5/10
Value
Bob: At $160, this is on the higher end of Bardstown’s offerings. While I think the quality is there, I’ve had other Bardstown bottles at this price point that I prefer. I don’t think it’s overpriced for what it is, but I’m not convinced it’s the best use of your money when comparing it to some of their other collaborations. 5/10
Brad: I’m with Bob on this. It’s a solid whiskey, and I think it’s worth the price for someone who’s really into the finer points of whiskey. However, for me, it just falls slightly short of being a great value at this price. 6.5/10
Final Scores
Brad: 39.5/50
Bob: 36/50
Average: 37.75/50
Conclusion
Bardstown Bourbon Company’s Collaborative Series Silver Oak Bourbon is another solid release from one of the industry’s most innovative distilleries. With a final score of 37.75/50, this bottle is well into the range where we recommend trying a pour at a bar or buying a bottle if you’re a fan of Bardstown’s work. While it doesn’t quite hit the 40/50 mark where we give a no-brainer recommendation, it’s still a whiskey worth experiencing, especially if you enjoy cabernet finishes.
If you’re in the mood to splurge or want to split a bottle with a friend, this could be a great addition to your collection. Cheers!
