Bardstown Bourbon Company has given its latest whiskey a long detour through Scotland, finishing a mature bourbon-and-rye blend in Scotch casks from the remote Isle of Jura for nearly three years.
The new Lochs of Jura Barrel Finish spends an extra 32 months in barrels previously used to mature single malt Scotch (via Gear Patrol). The limited release arrived on August 21 at $139.99 for a 750ml bottle.
Before those Scotch casks come into play, Bardstown blends three mature American whiskeys. The recipe combines 49% 11-year-old Indiana bourbon, 30% 10-year-old Indiana rye and 21% 12-year-old Kentucky bourbon.
Even the finishing barrels bring a mix of influences. Around 84% previously held bourbon before being used for Scotch, with the remaining 16% coming from ex-sherry casks. Bardstown describes the finished whiskey with notes of caramel, ripe fruit and baking spice, followed by vanilla crème, blackberry compote and fresh spearmint.
At 104 proof, or 52% ABV, there is plenty of strength behind those sweeter flavours without pushing the whiskey into especially high-proof territory.
Jura gives the release an interesting backstory of its own. The Scottish island has around 250 residents, a single whisky distillery and only one road. It is also where George Orwell wrote much of Nineteen Eighty-Four.
The whiskey has already earned some serious recognition as well, scoring 99 points at the 2026 International Wine & Spirit Competition. That was the highest score in the competition’s North American judging, with IWSC later naming it Best American Whiskey.
Bardstown has used plenty of unusual finishing casks before, from rum to Indian single malt barrels. Spending 32 months in Scotch-seasoned casks from a tiny Scottish island gives Lochs of Jura one of the more unusual journeys in the line-up.