Bardstown Bourbon 7 Year Old 7 Months Rare Character Single Barrel K45-035 Louisiana Exclusive Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (2026) 75cl
Rare Character K45-035 is a benchmark expression of high-rye bourbon done right. The 51/45/4 mashbill doesn’t coddle; it challenges. Yet this barrel meets that challenge with grace, delivering citrus brightness, baking spice complexity, and a finish that lingers without overstaying its welcome
Distilled - 25th April 2018
Bottled - December 2025
The K45 code represents one of Rare Character’s most intriguing offerings—a “barely legal bourbon” that sits exactly at the 51% corn minimum required by the TTB to qualify as bourbon while loading the secondary grain ratio with 45% rye. Aged in a historic Kentucky warehouse, this 126.32 proof offering delivers a masterclass in balance, proving that high-rye bourbons needn’t sacrifice smoothness for complexity.
The K45-035 displays a beautiful amber hue—bright and inviting without the deep mahogany tones associated with extended warehouse aging or warmer barrel locations. This coloration suggests the barrel aged in a cooler section of the warehouse, a telltale sign that we’re dealing with controlled maturation and minimal stress aging. The lighter amber is characteristic of Rare Character’s K45 releases and speaks to thoughtful barrel placement rather than aggressive wood extraction.
Upon swirling, the whiskey presents a thin but viscous film with exceptional gravity-defying legs—thick rivulets that cling to the glass with impressive persistence. This leggy character indicates both high proof and solid barrel integration, suggesting the wood and spirit have achieved good marriage despite the younger age.
TASTING NOTES
Nose: The nose opens with a bright, unmistakable citrus note—classic orange peel layered with subtle lemon zest. The 45% rye content announces itself not through grassy or harsh herbaceous notes, but through candied rye sweetness and delicate floral undertones. There’s a surprising elegance here; the rye plays a supporting role to the citrus rather than dominating. Beneath these bright notes sits a warming foundation of caramel and vanilla, suggesting good oak integration and proper barrel aging. The alcohol presence is warm but not sharp—appropriate for the proof point and suggesting this won’t evolve dramatically in the glass. A gentle rest in the copita settles nothing; the citrus persists while the caramel comes more into focus.
Palate: The K45-035 delivers immediate citrus gratification on entry—that orange peel note from the nose translates directly to the palate with impressive fidelity. This transitions quickly into layers of caramel and baking spice: cinnamon, clove, and nutmeg build progressively from the mid-palate onward. The mouthfeel is full and oily, coating the palate with a pleasant thickness that belies the proof. This speaks to excellent barrel selection and proper maturation in that cooler warehouse section. Underlying these spice notes is a candied rye and ginger quality and delicate graham cracker sweetness—the latter is particularly noteworthy in a high-rye bourbon and suggests either superior cooperage or a barrel that achieved ideal wood-to-spirit ratio. The flavors build rather than plateau, with complexity emerging across the mid-palate.
Finish: The finish is where the K45-035 truly distinguishes itself. The candied rye and clove notes that appeared mid-palate now carry through with authority, lingering on the tongue with remarkable persistence. These spice elements gradually yield to dry oak and subtle char, creating a progression rather than an abrupt stop. The finish is long and satisfying—a good 45-60 seconds before fading to a pleasant warmth and lingering spice. The oak never becomes astringent or aggressive; instead, it provides structure and a drying quality that keeps the finish engaging rather than cloying. Those graham cracker undertones continue into the finish, providing sweetness counterpoint to the oak dryness.
The 51% corn / 45% rye / 4% malted barley mashbill is distinctly uncommon among Kentucky distilleries. While MGP in Indiana pioneered “barely legal bourbon” experimentation around 2013, Bardstown Bourbon Company appears to be one of the few Kentucky producers executing this mashbill at scale. The K45 code is sourced from Bardstown Bourbon Company in Nelson County, Kentucky—the same distillery producing Ten Day Bourbon’s acclaimed Single Barrels.
About Rare Character
Rare Character Whiskey is a purveyor of fine American whiskey, focused on unique selections tailored to each of our customers and partners. Through special relationships with top distillers across the country, Rare Character has exclusive access to expressions that have never been released to the public.
With ambitious plans for future projects, including new brands, special collaborations, novel barrel finishes, and more, Rare Character aspires to breathe life into the American whiskey category. Our dedication to innovation and evolution is driven by profound love and respect for incredible bourbons and ryes.
Through our unprecedented levels of access, strong emphasis on customization, and our driving motivation to challenge industry norms, Rare Character strives to bring you American whiskeys unlike anything you’ve tasted before. Our skillful team is dedicated to helping our customers create whatever they see as “the perfect whiskey”. We say yes where others say no.
Rare Character is a company born from a deep passion for amazing distilled spirits. We aim to pay respect to tradition, while simultaneously uplifting those who challenge the status quo.
We know that American whiskey lovers have an appetite for unknown, interesting whiskeys, and we're in a unique position to provide access to some of these beautiful expressions. We believe people are tired of the same old whiskeys, and they're ready to be challenged by ones that have something to say.
Our mission is to provide each customer with “the perfect American whiskey” - whatever they as an individual may see that as. We do this by utilizing our great levels of access to rare and unique whiskeys, our extreme emphasis on customization, and our overarching ambition to challenge norms and explore the wide range of American whiskeys yet to be discovered by the general public.
Rare Character was created to present unique and untasted American whiskeys from across the country. As someone who has been purchasing single barrels for over a decade himself, Co-Founder Pablo Moix has developed personal relationships within the industry which have allowed him access to expressions that have never been bottled for the public. We aim to bring these rare and collectible whiskeys to our customers for the first time ever.
Every whiskey lover has a unique palate, and there is no “one size fits all” whiskey - especially when it comes to picking a single barrel. We aim to help you create a whiskey that speaks to you; whiskey that you can be proud of and eager to share. We want to provide you with whiskey that makes you genuinely excited, and that is uniquely yours.
We pride ourselves on challenging norms and preconceived notions about what American whiskey can be. With the Rare Character Single Barrel Series, as well as future projects such as special collaborations, new brands, and one-off finishing projects, our goal is to push the envelope and introduce new flavors and concepts to whiskey connoisseurs and collectors.
About Bardstown Bourbon Company
Bardstown Bourbon Company is a modern, innovative bourbon distillery in Kentucky, known for its collaborative distilling, cutting-edge production, and premium whiskey offerings.
Bardstown Bourbon Company (BBCo) was founded in 2014 by Peter Loftin, a telecommunications entrepreneur, with a vision to create a modern bourbon distillery that combined transparency, technology, and collaboration with traditional craftsmanship. Loftin assembled a team of industry veterans, including Steve Nally, David Mandell, Dan Callaway, and John Hargrove, to establish a distillery capable of producing both proprietary and custom mash bills for other brands. The company officially began producing bourbon in 2016.
Headquartered in Bardstown, Kentucky, BBCo sits on over 100 acres of active farmland near the town’s historic downtown. The distillery features a modern, glass-forward design with state-of-the-art equipment, including three large Vendome copper column stills and 36,000-gallon fermenters, allowing precise control over fermentation, distillation, and aging processes. The facility also includes a full-service restaurant, bar, and a vintage spirits library, offering visitors a Napa Valley-style experience on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail.
BBCo is renowned for its collaborative distilling program, which allows over 30 spirits brands to develop custom mash bills, fermentation styles, barrel specifications, and aging techniques. The distillery operates dozens of mash bills simultaneously, using advanced software called Ignition to monitor and control production in real time. This approach enables the creation of unique, high-quality bourbon expressions while maintaining consistency and precision.
The company produces a range of bourbons, including its Origin Series, which represents BBCo’s proprietary lineup. Its portfolio emphasizes innovation through unique barrel finishes, small-batch explorations, and blending techniques that highlight complex flavor profiles. BBCo also offers curated tasting experiences at its distillery and Louisville tasting room, showcasing both flagship and experimental expressions.
Bardstown Bourbon Company has received significant industry recognition, including being named 2023 Worldwide Whiskey Producer of the Year by the International Wine & Spirit Competition and producing some of the highest-rated bourbons globally. The company is celebrated for pushing the bourbon industry toward greater innovation, transparency, and collaboration.
From our glass rickhouses to our collaborative approach with legendary distillers, every bottle tells a story of craftsmanship, innovation, and the relentless pursuit of excellence.
63.16% ABV
75cl
