Wild, winding wood grain forges unmatched flavor in this rare whiskey exploration

From the remote forests of Japan to the rolling hills of Kentucky, Bardstown Bourbon’s Hokkaido Japanese Mizunara Oak Barrel Finish, the latest small-batch exploration from the brand’s Distillery Reserve, takes consumers on a global journey of ancient tradition and bold exploration.

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Bardstown Bourbon’s Distillery Reserve returns with Hokkaido Mizunara Oak

The limited release continues the promise of boundary-pushing whiskeys artfully crafted through exploratory finishes, extended aging and uncommon blending. Extremely limited in quantity and packaged as 375mL, Hokkaido Mizunara Oak follows the acclaimed series debut, Cathedral French Oak, which was featured on CBS’ 60 Minutes.

Hokkaido Mizunara Oak is an exercise in precision, patience, and artistry. After blending a thoughtful collection of 9- to 18-year-old aged whiskeys for balance and depth, the custom whiskey blend spent an extraordinary 28 months finishing in six, 66-gallon barrels made of rare Japanese Mizunara oak—a bold maturation that reveals the full character of this elusive wood.

The finishing journey began on Bardstown’s distillery grounds in Warehouse H, in a custom room specifically built to accommodate large barrels. This area sees wide temperature swings and rapid extraction, resulting in an increase in proof and strong imprint from the rich Mizunara Oak. Barrels were then transferred to the center of the first floor of the Warehouse E, one of Bardstown’s largest rickhouses, slowly concentrating the flavors and easing into the correct balance.

“Mizunara oak is unlike anything else in the world,” said Dan Callaway, Master Blender, Lofted Spirits. “The wood’s unpredictable nature demands skill and reverence, but the payoff is extraordinary. This release is a tribute to craftsmanship—Japanese and American—meeting at the highest level.”

Mizunara oak trees, native to the Hokkaido province, grow twisted and slow in Japan’s most remote forests with rich, volcanic soil that imparts notes of spice and umami flavors. Their scarcity and remote locale, along with the technical difficulty of coopering the wood, makes each barrel a feat of true craftsmanship. Just six barrels were used for this release, yielding a whiskey that is as exceptionally rare as it is complex.

Rich caramel, toasted oak, and vanilla form a classic American base. From there, twisted Mizunara brings layers of sandalwood, subtle coconut, and a delicate whisper of incense—a deeply distinctive finish for a singular creation.

Hokkaido Mizunara Oak Barrel Finish is presented at 109.3 proof (54.65% alc. by volume) and will be available beginning July 11. Distillery Reserve releases are small format 375mL and extremely limited in nature. They’re available exclusively at Bardstown Bourbon’s distillery gift shop and Louisville tasting room for $99.99.

For more information, visit BardstownBourbon.com.

ABOUT BARDSTOWN BOURBON

Bardstown Bourbon Company is pushing 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^TM. Bardstown Bourbon Co. 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 (2023). Bardstown Bourbon Co. is part of Lofted Spirits, one of the largest American Whiskey distillers in the U.S. For more information visit BardstownBourbon.com.

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