Bardstown Bourbon Co.’s Cascadia Explores Rare Oak in a Bold New Bourbon

(Photo: Bardstown Bourbon Company)

The first 2026 release from Bardstown Bourbon Company’s critically acclaimed Distillery Reserve series arrives with a clear point of view: oak is important, and not all oak behaves the same.

Cascadia Garryana Oak Barrel Finish, released March 17, is the first entry in this year’s Distillery Reserve lineup — a series that quickly established itself as one of America’s best upon its debut last year. After a breakout debut year that placed two expressions in top 10 of The Daily Pour’s Top 100 Whiskeys of 2025 list, expectations for the follow-up were high. How did it stack up?

A Rare Wood, A Different Profile

At the center of Cascadia is Garryana oak, a species most commonly found in the Pacific Northwest. Unlike the American white oak typically used in bourbon, Garryana is denser, harder to source and rarely used at scale. It cannot be freely harvested, relying instead on fallen trees and tightly controlled collection.

The material has gained a following in American single malt category through Seattle distillery Westland, but as far as we know, this is the first use of the uncommon wood on a bourbon.

For this release, Bardstown Bourbon Co. sourced 10 custom barrels from Oregon Barrel Works, a micro-cooperage producing roughly 1,000 barrels annually. Each barrel underwent a three-hour toast designed to draw out deeper spice and complexity, according to Bardstown Bourbon Co.

The finishing process lasted 10 months, with barrels aging on the sixth floor of the distillery’s warehouse through the summer — a detail that likely accelerated extraction and intensified the wood’s influence. The whiskey was then gradually proofed to 107.5 before bottling, an approach intended to integrate the finish more fully.

What’s in the Blend

The base whiskey is a three-part blend of bourbons:

— 80% 10-year Kentucky bourbon (70% corn, 18% rye, 12% malted barley)
— 12% 10-year Indiana bourbon (75% corn, 21% rye, 4% malted barley)
— 8% 9-year Kentucky bourbon (74% corn, 18% rye, 8% malted barley)

That foundation provides a familiar structure — all mature high-rye bourbons — before the Garryana finish reshapes it.

How It Drinks

From the first pour, the impact of the finishing wood is evident.

The nose is rich, balancing heavy and light notes, moving between dessert-like notes — Bavarian cream, caramel, chocolate — and brighter elements like green apple and chamomile. It’s layered and slightly unconventional.

On the palate, texture stands out immediately. The mouthfeel is notably viscous and creamy, carrying a mix of bold spice and soft sweetness. Espresso, cinnamon, clove and tobacco push forward, while toasted marshmallow, butterscotch and cream round things out. A thread of fruit — apple, strawberry, citrus peel — runs underneath, keeping the profile from leaning too heavy.

The finish extends that interplay. Toasted oak and caramel give way to marshmallow, graham cracker and maple cream before settling into cocoa, spice and a slightly overripe apple note.

The Garryana Effect

The profile leans more wood-forward than its age would suggest, but not in the traditional sense. Instead, the Garryana influence shows up as a drier, slightly bitter edge — yet not tannic — layered with leather, dark chocolate and a subtle lime peel character. It’s distinctive, and not easily mapped onto standard bourbon flavor frameworks.

That difference may divide drinkers. For some, the sharper, more assertive oak could feel aggressive. Others may appreciate that bite, particularly since it’s well balanced by soft, sweet notes imparted by the toasting — a smart production decision from Bardstown Bourbon Co. that really rounds this expression out.

Overall

Cascadia builds on a familiar base, then pushes it into new territory through wood selection and finishing technique. The result is a whiskey that emphasizes texture, spice and structure, with an oak profile that’s outside the norm. It may be polarizing, but it’s very good.

For a deeper dive into tasting notes and scoring, read our full review here.

In a series built on experimentation, this release leans further into the idea that wood — not just age or mashbill — can define a bourbon. Whether that direction resonates will depend on the drinker, but kudos to Bardstown Bourbon Co. on daring to be bold.

Availability

Cascadia Garryana Oak Barrel Finish is bottled at 107.5 proof and released in Bardstown’s Distillery Reserve 375ml format, priced at $99.99. It is available in limited quantities exclusively at the brand’s Bardstown distillery gift shop and its Louisville tasting room.