Bardstown Bourbon Company Reveals 2026 Annual Releases: 2026 Discovery & Lochs of Jura Barrel Finish

Two Limited Expressions, One Near-Perfect Score

BARDSTOWN, Ky.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Bardstown Bourbon Company continues its pursuit of pushing the boundaries of bourbon with two limited fall releases that explore whiskey innovation in entirely different ways. Lochs of Jura Barrel Finish Whiskey demonstrates how extraordinary casks can shape whiskey in unexpected ways while 2026 Discovery showcases the art of blending through an exceptional combination of mature Kentucky bourbons.

For the first time, Bardstown Bourbon Company’s annual releases also feature original commissioned artwork inspired directly by the whiskey itself. Louisville artist Margaret Archambault created each piece after experiencing the liquid, translating aroma, flavor, and texture into visual art that now appears on the bottles and packaging. The new package design also marks an evolution for these two award-winning series. The Finishing Series expands on the brand’s sought-after limited-edition collaborations while Discovery moves from numbered to annual releases.

“These releases started from two different questions,” said Dan Callaway, Master Blender, Lofted Spirits. “Discovery asked how far we could take an already exceptional blend. Lochs of Jura asked what unique character these remarkable casks could contribute over time. Both led us somewhere unexpected, and that’s where the exciting whiskey discoveries happen.”

Lochs of Jura Barrel Finish: Shaped by a Remote Island

Lochs of Jura Barrel Finish began with a bespoke blend of straight bourbon and rye before spending an additional 32 months in ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks sourced from Scotland’s remote Isle of Jura. Previously used to mature single malt Scotch whisky, the casks contribute layers of ripe fruit, soft malt, subtle smoke, and maritime character while preserving the whiskey’s rich bourbon foundation.

"At Bardstown Bourbon, we are relentless in pursuit of flavor and no whiskey typifies this like the Isle of Jura," said Callaway. "With just 238 residents, Jura is not just remote - its location offers a unique fingerprint of flavor singular to these barrels."

For 32 months the team worked around the 59-gallon sherry casks, too large to be stored in the ricks and instead placed in aisles of the warehouse. The resulting fruit character was worthy of the minor inconvenience.

Recently awarded 99 points at the 2026 International Wine & Spirit Competition, the highest score given in this year’s North American judging, Lochs of Jura Barrel Finish stands among the most acclaimed releases in Bardstown Bourbon Company’s history. Presented at 104 proof, it offers a singular whiskey journey from a remote Scottish island to the Bourbon Capital of the World.

Inspired by the flavor profiles, aromas, and personalities of the two whiskeys, Archambault’s original paintings offer a visual interpretation of each release, transforming the sensory experience of tasting into a new artistic medium.

2026 Discovery: The Art of Blending, Pushed Further

The latest release in Bardstown Bourbon Company’s acclaimed Discovery Series begins with an exceptional blend of 7, 10, and 11-year-old bourbons, showcasing the balance and complexity that have become hallmarks of the series. These high-floor barrels were selected for their balance of fruit and oak, making them perfect to take on the extra structure and sugar of double-barreling. A four-month finishing period in custom-made Garryana oak barrels adds subtle layers of spice and structure, complementing rather than overshadowing the mature Kentucky whiskey at its core.

This year’s Discovery is the second Bardstown Bourbon release to explore this prized oak following the highly limited Distillery Reserve Cascadia released earlier this year. Also known as Oregon White Oak, Garryana is native to the Pacific Northwest and grows most comfortably in the lush Willamette Valley. Prized for its strength and scarcity, its dense grain slows oxidation and evaporation and lends flavors like clove and nutmeg.

Presented at 112.8 proof (56.4% alc. by vol.), 2026 Discovery opens with layers of toasted oak, burnt sugar, and baked apple cobbler. Dried cherry and cinnamon bark emerge across the palate, leading to a long, warming finish accented by the distinctive influence of Garryana oak.

Both 2026 Discovery 2026 and Lochs of Jura Barrel Finish will be available nationwide in limited quantities beginning August 21, 2026, and offered at a suggested retail price of $139.99 for each 750 mL.

ABOUT BARDSTOWN BOURBON COMPANY

Bardstown Bourbon Company proves there’s nowhere we won’t go to push the boundaries of innovation while honoring the traditional art of making great whiskey. With the most modern, technically advanced whiskey distillery, Bardstown Bourbon combines the highest quality distillation and spirited hospitality into a modern, authentic bourbon experience unlike any other on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail™. Bardstown Bourbon Company is working to push the entire industry in a direction that is more innovative, more transparent, and more collaborative. Bardstown Bourbon was named Icons of Whisky Global Brand Innovator of the Year (2025), the highest-rated American Whiskey by Whisky Advocate (2024), and Worldwide Whisky Producer of the Year by IWSC (2023). For more information visit BardstownBourbon.com.

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