Buzzard’s Roost Toasted American Oak Bourbon
52.5% ABV
$75
Website
We would like to thank Buzzard’s Roost for sending us a sample to review.
What the Producer Says
OUR PROCESS
We start by sourcing the best aged whiskey we can find, but the real magic is in our barrels. We use only brand new, 53-gallon white oak barrels that are carefully toasted and very lightly charred. Each one is designed from the ground up to deliver a specific flavor profile.
We work closely with our cooperage to tweak every parameter of the barrel – from the seasoning to the charring to the development of our custom toast profiles. All of our barrels are unique and proprietary to our company, giving Buzzard’s Roost a truly one-of-a kind flavor. After resting only a few weeks in our new barrels, the whiskey is purposefully transformed and ready for bottling.
Buzzard’s Roost Toasted American Oak Bourbon
Age: 4 & 5 Years | Proof: 105
BLEND OF TWO MASH BILLS:
74% corn • 21% rye • 5% malted barley
59% corn • 36% rye • 5% malted barley
About: Buzzard’s Roost is excited to announce the latest addition to their bourbon collection. Created from a blend of 4- and 5-year-old double-barreled bourbons, Toasted American Oak Bourbon is made from a blend of two mash bills.
The color is a vibrant mixture of bronze and apricot. With elegant and enticing tasting notes, this bourbon is best enjoyed on its own or in a classic whiskey cocktail.
To the nose, Toasted American Oak Bourbon lends itself to caramel, coconut, and vanilla notes met with delicate candy aromas. The palate moves from the sweet notes from the toasted oak barrel finish, and notes of confectionary and baking spice flavors shine through along with hints of candied goodness found on the nose. The finish carries notes of butterscotch, toasted oak, vanilla wafer, and coconut.
• Nose: Aromas of caramel, coconut, and intense vanilla dominate, and a re coupled with sweet candy and floral notes.
• Palate: The palate moves from the sweet notes created by the toasted oak barrel finish toward baking spice flavors, accompanied by the pleasant candy notes found on the nose.
• Finish: The finish is a delight, with notes of butterscotch, toasted oak, vanilla wafer, and coconut.
What Gary Says
Nose: Caramel, vanilla, butterscotch, toasted oak, crème brûlée and dried coconut.
Palate: Dark caramel, cinnamon, honey, pepper, oak and a hint of butterscotch.
Finish: Moderate in length, drying with oak, vanilla and pepper.
Comments: A very nice bourbon that takes water well. This is the first Buzzard’s Roost whiskey I’ve tried, but I’m encouraged by the quality and use of 53 gallon barrels. That said, the price point doesn’t seem reasonable when compared to a lower price point on a competitive (and while not age stated, certainly older) product. Age isn’t everything, but when aged properly it does increase the complexity on both the nose and palate, and while this is an enjoyable dram – it comes across as under 6 years old.
Gary, I appreciate your review. I detected the vanilla notes on the nose. I can certainly see where the caramel or butterscotch emerges.🍦
Your palate insights seemed more accurate than what the producer stated. Cinnamon perhaps or baking spices had a subtle influence.
According to the Buzzard’s Roost tasting representative at the Fort Knox Class Six, “This is what Kentucky bourbons are meant to be.” 🥃
The price point should be in the $50-$60 range at most. I tasted it with a few crushed pieces of ice. 🧊
Thanks Joshua! Our palates are all a bit different (when Richard and I were reviewing the same whiskies for reviews, we sometimes had very different tasting notes), and producers sometimes (often?) use the tasting notes more for wishful marketing than guidance. There is a lot of really solid bourbon out there at sub $40, so the price point I definitely thought was high – but I get that new producers have to try to recoup the costs that the distilleries who have been in business for generations have long since recovered. For consumers, the question is if we’re willing to pay the premium to encourage new brands/products.
Glad you enjoyed it!