The Kentucky based Bardstown Bourbon Co has announced the launch of a new blended whiskey finished in Caribbean pineapple rum casks.

Bardstown Bourbon Co Victoria Pineapple Barrel Finish (53% ABV) is a blend of 10 and 11 year old Bourbons and an 11 year old Rye whiskey, finished in Caribbean pineapple Rum casks.

The latest release, which takes its name from the prized Victoria pineapple, is the result of Bardstown Bourbon Co’s exploration into whether tropical fruit flavour compounds could be achieved through patience, process and barrel influence rather than shortcuts. The project pushes beyond traditional finishing techniques to create a whiskey that is both unexpected and authentic.

The rum that previously occupied the finishing casks has earned a devoted following among bartenders and spirits enthusiasts thanks to its distinctive production process, in which prized Victoria pineapples are incorporated directly during maturation. Intrigued by the remarkable tropical character these casks imparted, Bardstown Bourbon Co set out to honour that process, rather than simply use the barrels as finishing vessels.

Bardstown Bourbon Co Victoria Pineapple Barrel Finish opens with bold tropical fruit, rye spice and allspice. Notes of pineapple, cherry and toasted oak create a rich, rounded palate that develops into layers of vanilla crème and toffee.

Commenting on the release, Dan Callaway, Master Blender, said: “The goal was never to make whiskey taste like pineapple. It was to understand what made these barrels so special in the first place. We followed that trail all the way back to the creation process and found our way to a whiskey with bold tropical fruit, surrounded by rye and allspice. Finishing with staves gave us the balance that helped integrate the pineapple character without losing the depth and complexity of the whiskey itself.”

Limited in quantities, Bardstown Bourbon Co Victoria Pineapple Barrel Finish will be available from July 24th through selected retailers in Kentucky, for a RRP of £139.99.