Bardstown Bourbon Company has made a name for itself by doing something most Kentucky distilleries wouldn't dream of — handing their barrels over to collaborators and seeing what comes back. The Collaboration Series is their flagship concept, and this particular release pairs them with Goose Island, Chicago's craft beer institution best known for Bourbon County Brand Stout. If you know anything about that beer, you already understand why this partnership makes sense. Goose Island has been aging stouts in bourbon barrels for years, so flipping the script and finishing bourbon in beer barrels feels like a natural conversation between two producers who genuinely respect each other's craft.
This is a bourbon finished in Goose Island's stout barrels, bottled at 50% ABV — a solid, honest proof that doesn't hide behind water and doesn't burn the house down either. It's NAS, which with Bardstown's approach typically means they've selected barrels based on flavour profile rather than chasing an age statement. I respect that. Too many producers slap a number on the label when the liquid would be better served by letting the blender do their job without constraints.
What to Expect
The stout barrel finish is the headline here, and it's what separates this from the wall of standard bourbons competing for your attention. Beer barrel finishes bring a different character to whiskey than your typical wine or sherry cask. Think roasted malt influence, dark chocolate, coffee — the kinds of flavours that made Bourbon County Stout famous in the first place. Layered on top of what should be a classic Kentucky bourbon backbone of caramel, vanilla, and oak, you're looking at something genuinely complex and a little unexpected.
At 50% ABV, there's enough strength to carry those heavier, roasted notes without them becoming muddy. This is important with beer barrel finishes — go too low on proof and the subtlety disappears into a vague sweetness. Bardstown clearly understood the assignment here.
The Verdict
At £166, this isn't an everyday pour, and it's not trying to be. This is a bourbon for people who are genuinely curious about what happens when two American craft traditions collide. Bardstown's Collaboration Series has been consistently interesting, and the Goose Island release is one of the more compelling entries because the partnership actually makes sense on a production level — these aren't two brands stuck together for marketing purposes. There's real barrel science behind it.
I'm giving this an 8 out of 10. It's a well-executed concept bourbon that delivers on its promise, bottled at the right proof, from a distillery that clearly cares about the integrity of these collaborations. The only reason it doesn't push higher is the price point — at £166, you're paying a premium for the story as much as the liquid, and I'd love to see what Bardstown could do with this concept at a more accessible price. But if you're the kind of drinker who gets excited about the intersection of bourbon and craft beer, this bottle was made for you.
Best Served
Pour this neat in a Glencairn or a wide-rimmed rocks glass and give it ten minutes to open up. The stout barrel influence will evolve as the bourbon breathes, and rushing it would be a waste. If you want to stretch it slightly, a single large ice cube works — the dilution can coax out some of the sweeter malt notes. I wouldn't mix this one. At this price and with this much going on in the glass, it deserves your full attention. Save your cocktail bourbon for something else and sit with this one.
