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Barrell Foundation Bourbon vs Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat
Barrell Foundation Bourbon and Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: a blender-built, rye-forward bottling versus a new-wave, wheat-forward craft style.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Barrell Foundation Bourbon | Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 73% corn, 23% rye, 4% malted barley | 53% corn, 39% wheat, 8% malted barley |
| Age | 5 years | 6 years +1 yr |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) | 106 proof (53% ABV) +6 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$50 – $60 | ~$50 – $55 |
- Barrell Foundation Bourbon does not publish an official mash bill.
- US shelf prices as of 2026-10; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Barrell Foundation Bourbon
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Barrell Foundation Bourbon Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 6/3 spice: Barrell Foundation Bourbon 6 out of 10, Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat 3 out of 10
fruit 5/8 fruit: Barrell Foundation Bourbon 5 out of 10, Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat 8 out of 10
sweetness 6/7 sweetness: Barrell Foundation Bourbon 6 out of 10, Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat 7 out of 10
oak 6/5 oak: Barrell Foundation Bourbon 6 out of 10, Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/2 nuttiness: Barrell Foundation Bourbon 3 out of 10, Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat 2 out of 10
heat 5/5 heat: Barrell Foundation Bourbon 5 out of 10, Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Rye spice is the dividing line here.
- Barrell Foundation Bourbon: Barrell's everyday bottle: a multi-state blend proofed down to 100 instead of bottled at cask strength. Creamy cake and vanilla up front, then a dry, rye-driven peppery finish.
- Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat: Because wheat makes up a massive 39% of the mash bill, this pour trades the aggressive spice of rye for a softer, oily mouthfeel. Expect bright fruit notes like ripe apricot and lemon on the nose, transitioning to pastry dough, light oak, and a creamy creme brulee sweetness balanced by a mild peppery backbone.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Barrell Foundation Bourbon if you want an approachable, 100-proof Barrell blend that still shows off multi-state blending.
- Go with Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat if you want a softer, fruit-forward, contemporary profile with a richer, oily texture and lower emphasis on traditional oak with slightly more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Barrell Foundation Bourbon); neat, rocks (Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat).