In the foothills around Louisville, Kentucky, a post-modern mansion was recently occupied by the Bardstown Bourbon Company. Called the “House of Bardstown,” the two-night interactive pop-up event dazzled the senses—that seamless blend of whiskey, ingenuity, and camaraderie in the heart of bourbon country.
“The 'House of Bardstown' is a way to bring the company and all that magic to consumers on the road,” says Dan Callaway, vice president of product development for Bardstown.
Bardstown Bourbon Company was founded in 2016 and is known as the “most technically advanced distillery”. Across the 400-acre distillery in its namesake town, more than 50 mashbills targeting over 500 production points are created, crafted and grown on the Kentucky farm.
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With 'House of Bardstown', the impressive showcase became an opportunity to showcase a distillery that continually pushes the boundaries of whiskey, offering a rich bourbon celebration of curiosity, mystery and discovery in a fun, imaginative environment.
“It's these different rooms where a visitor can come in and get a hands-on experience of what we're creating,” Callaway says.
Each “House of Bardstown” room had a unique theme and dining experience. There was the lounge which was a semi-lit dance floor, an old fashioned in hand as guests twirled and twirled to the rippling beats radiating from the DJ booth.
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Soon the sounds of keyboards, standup bass and percussion echoed down the long hallway. Pulling back a large, unassuming curtain, a jazz trio was in the middle of a whirlwind jam, the cozy room reminiscent of a Chicago back-alley joint.
Known as the Goose Island Lounge, the space was an ode to the Collaborative series between Bardstown and the famed Windy City Brewery. Slipping into a seat to take in the sights and sounds, guests were treated to special whiskey selections from the range.
“There's a creative freedom here to go out and take risks,” says Callaway. “It's the innovation, but also the willingness to try something new. Every day I am motivated by our team.”
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For the Collaborative Series, Bardstown works with other top names from other beverage industries to cross-pollinate, ultimately letting the spirits mature in re-engineered barrels to create unique versions.
“It's really about pushing the boundaries of what whiskey can be,” says Callaway. “Whether it's the grain, the temperature, the length of fermentation or the finish.”
On the back patio tiki bar, the sounds of a steel drum group set the festive, carefree mood of the island of Barbados. Relaxing tunes were paired with fun whiskey cocktails inspired by Bardstown's collaboration with Foursquare Rum.
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These sensory experiences were no more evident than in the downstairs lab. Featuring pairing stations with a fruit selection, guests donned lab coats and were given Bardstown's Origin range – a 100 per cent grain-distilled whiskey – to sip and enjoy how the flavors complemented each other.
And, in what proved to be the hit of the night, one of the Origin series stations featured the seemingly unlikely pairing of Pop Rocks. Guests popped the candy into their mouths and poured a shot of bourbon over it, creating a surprising combination of taste and sensation.
Just beyond the workshop was the mixing bench, with Bardstown's Discovery #11 as the main attraction. Part of an ongoing line of whiskeys focused on the art of blending, the single releases are drawn from a range of Bardstown-produced bourbons and ryes.
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Guests blended aged bourbons and ryes in their preferred style and strength. Behind the counter, Callaway has served up many selections from the Discovery line past, present and future. Sharing insights into the blends, Callaway spoke about the vital role each plays in Bardstown's modern distillation techniques and blending practices.
“If you look at our three core brand values—innovation, collaboration, transparency—that hasn't been done in the bourbon space,” Callaway says. Callaway and his team at Bardstown aim to shed preconceived notions of what a distillery is and could be, in favor of a more personal touch—that intersection of originality, education, and clarity.
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“It's an industry of myths, legends and made-up colonels — smoke and mirrors,” says Callaway. “The modern consumer wants to know what's in their glass, and that's what we've been built for since day one. It's important to have an open, honest display of what we're creating.”
Future “House of Bardstown” pop-ups are planned for Nashville and Dallas. The company plans more “you had to be there” moments from coast to coast.
from our partners at https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/house-of-bardstown-bourbon-1234979193/
