BARDSTOWN, Ky. (November 18, 2025) – Proving that there is nowhere Bardstown Bourbon Company won’t go to push the boundaries of whiskey innovation, the latest launch from the brand’s Distillery Reserve is an elevated marriage of French tradition and American craft.

Once forbidden by the Minister of StateJean-Baptiste Colbert to protect the French wine brandy trade, cidereau-de-vie, Calvados, made the journey from the white chalk cliffs of Normandyto the home of bourbon innovation, Bardstown Bourbon Company, resulting in adecadent and unexpected blend aptly named Normandie Calvados Brandy Barrel Finish.

This release emphasizes Bardstown Bourbon’s promiseto push the boundaries of traditional whiskey production, crafting bespokeproducts through experimental finishes, extended aging and uncommon blending. Nowhereis this approach more evident than through the Distillery Reserve. Extremelylimited in quantity and packaged at 375mL, Normandie Calvados Brandy Barrel Finish is the third and final Distillery Reserve release of 2025. Previous small-batchexplorations in the series include Cathedral French Oak and Hokkaido Mizunara Oak, each distinctly showcasing how relentless innovation andglobal curiosity fuel the brand’s rapid growth.

“Three generations of meticulous craftsmanship and nearly 300 gold medals have made Christian Drouin House an icon of Calvados,” said Dan Callaway, Master Blender, Lofted Spirits. “Over thecourse of the past two years, these five barrels have become the apple of myeye – the most attention per barrel project aging in Bardstown. The result: across-continental conversation in a glass that bridges centuries of traditionon both sides of the Atlantic.”

Normandie Calvados Brandy Barrel Finish is a tasting experience borne of curiosity. Each 59-gallon Calvados cask was filledwith a custom bourbon blend of stock aged between 11 and 12 years. After a28-month slumber, the whiskey settled into new, medium-toast American white oak, coaxing out layers of caramel, spice and roasted almond. The result is an elegant confluence of crisp orchard fruit and velvety bourbon sweetness accented by gentle wood smoke and a whisper of vanilla.

Bardstown Bourbon’s Distillery Reservelaunched in February of this year to much fanfare with Cathedral 300-Year-OldFrench Oak, featured on 60 Minutes, and continued with Hokkaido Mizunara Oak finish, awarded as Best Bourbon in both Rolling Stone and Esquire’s 2025 Spirit Awards.

Normandie Calvados Brandy Barrel FinishDistillery Reserve is presented at 104.2 proof (52.1% alc. by volume) andavailable in extremely limited quantities at Bardstown Bourbon’s distillerygift shop and Louisville Tasting Room beginning Black Friday, November 28,2025. Distillery Reserve releases are offered in a small format 375mL andretail for $99.99.

Bardstown Bourbon Co. will host a digitalraffle allowing a limited number of bourbon fans the opportunity to purchaseall three 2025 Distillery Reserve releases including Cathedral French Oak andHokkaido Mizunara Oak, and will offer tasting experiences with Master Blender,Dan Callaway. Details about these offerings will be available exclusivelythrough Bardstown Bourbon’s email list. For more information fans can sign up at BardstownBourbon.com.

ABOUT BARDSTOWN BOURBON

Bardstown Bourbon Company is pushing theboundaries of innovation while honoring the traditional art of making greatwhiskey. With the most modern, technically advanced whiskey distillery,Bardstown Bourbon combines the highest quality distillation and spiritedhospitality into a modern, authentic bourbon experience unlike any other on theKentucky Bourbon Trail^TM. Bardstown Bourbon Co. is working to pushthe entire industry in a direction that is more innovative, more transparentand more collaborative. Bardstown Bourbon was named Icons of Whisky GlobalBrand Innovator of the Year (2025), the highest-rated American Whiskey byWhisky Advocate (2024) and Worldwide Whisky Producer of the Year (2023).Bardstown Bourbon Co. is part of Lofted Spirits, one of the largest AmericanWhiskey distillers in the U.S. For more information visit BardstownBourbon.com.