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Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series vs Uncle Nearest 1856
On paper Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series and Uncle Nearest 1856 are near neighbours — both traditional bourbons — so personal preference more than spec is what actually decides it.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series | Uncle Nearest 1856 |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Traditional Tennessee Whiskey |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 98.9 proof (49.5% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$55 – $70 | ~$55 – $70 |
- Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series and Uncle Nearest 1856 do not publish an official mash bill.
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Uncle Nearest 1856
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series Uncle Nearest 1856
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 6/7 oak: Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series 6 out of 10, Uncle Nearest 1856 7 out of 10
fruit 6/5 fruit: Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series 6 out of 10, Uncle Nearest 1856 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series 3 out of 10, Uncle Nearest 1856 4 out of 10
sweetness 7/7 sweetness: Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series 7 out of 10, Uncle Nearest 1856 7 out of 10
spice 5/5 spice: Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series 5 out of 10, Uncle Nearest 1856 5 out of 10
heat 5/5 heat: Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series 5 out of 10, Uncle Nearest 1856 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land close together on every flavor axis — the differences are in texture and proof more than character.
- Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series: A blend of Bardstown's own young distillate with older sourced Kentucky whiskey, which is exactly what the name describes. Polished and fruit-leaning, and a clear demonstration that the blending is the skill on show.
- Uncle Nearest 1856: Named for Nathan 'Nearest' Green, the enslaved distiller who taught Jack Daniel, and now backed by the brand's own distillery in Shelbyville. Sweet and maple-leaning with the charcoal-mellowed softness of the style.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series if you want a well-built modern blend that shows what careful blending does rather than what age alone does.
- Go with Uncle Nearest 1856 if you want a sweet, maple-forward Tennessee whiskey with a story worth knowing behind it.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series); neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Uncle Nearest 1856).