Bardstown Bourbon Company’s Distillery Reserve returns in 2026 with Cascadia Garryana Oak Barrel Finish.
Native to the Pacific Northwest, Garryana oak grows most in the Willamette Valley. Prized for its strength and scarcity, its use in whiskey barrels remains a rare craft tradition. It cannot be farmed or cut at will, gathered only from fallen trees and sanctioned harvests. Its dense grain slows oxidation and evaporation and lends flavors closer to French Oak than American White Oak.
Distillery Reserve Cascadia begins with a blend of three bourbons, aged 9 and 10 years, each featuring a different mashbill of corn, rye and malted barley. After the whiskey was blended, it was then rested for 10 months in 10 custom Garryana oak barrels handmade by Oregon Barrel Works, a micro-cooperage producing just 1,000 barrels per year. Unique to this release, these barrels feature a three-hour toast. They were then aged on the 6th floor of the warehouse in Bardstown over the course of the summer for maximum extraction. After aging, the liquid was gradually proofed over time to 107.5 for the blend to fully integrate in advance of bottling.
“It was a thrill to partner with Oregon Barrel Works, who truly operates from tree to barrel. The definition of hands-on artisan coopering,” said Dan Callaway, Master Blender, Bardstown Bourbon Company. “Its structure and chemistry create a flavor experience unlike any other—rich, spicy, and deeply expressive of its origin. This release is a celebration of craftsmanship and the beauty of regional terroir.”
Bardstown Bourbon Company Distillery Reserve Cascadia Garryana Oak Barrel Finish is available for $99.99 in the Distillery Reserve’s signature 375mL format.
