Buzzards Roost Toasted Bourbon

Overview
Buzzard's Roost Toasted American Oak Straight Bourbon Whiskey exemplifies the brand's innovative "barrel alchemy" approach, blending 4- and 5-year-old bourbons finished in proprietary toasted new white oak barrels for a subtler wood influence than traditional charring. Released in 2019 to mark the company's third anniversary, it highlights toasted maturation techniques more common in winemaking, yielding unique sweet and floral nuances.

Specs at a glance

Good to know
Produced by a women-owned and led distillery launched in 2019, Buzzard's Roost emphasizes custom toast profiles lighter than standard char levels, with each barrel imparting distinct flavors. This toasted process, rarer in whiskey than charring, draws from wine industry practices to enhance subtlety. The brand anticipates significant growth, distributed across 10 markets.

Tasting notes

• Nose: Prominent almond, coconut, and cinnamon aromas emerge, laced with floral and subtle malt notes that avoid heavy vanilla dominance.
• Palate: Sweeter and citrus-infused profile unfolds with orange and malt forward, complemented by toasted oak's gentle spice for balanced versatility.
• Finish: Lingering sweetness transitions to soft wood and citrus echoes, maintaining approachability without intensity.

Notable details

• Production: Second-matured in proprietary toasted new white oak barrels, non-chilled and barrel-proof strength.
• Lineage: Buzzard's Roost flagship innovation, contrasting their Char #1 series with lighter toast for one-of-a-kind expressions.
• Comparison: Distinct from charred oak bourbons, offering maltier, less vanillin-heavy traits akin to wine-influenced finishes.
• Availability: Limited initial release at $75 MSRP, with brand expansion ongoing.

"Toasted barrels... bring out almond, coconut, and cinnamon notes... a sweeter, citrus-infused profile." – The Whiskey Wash

Closing
A thoughtful departure for bourbon enthusiasts seeking nuanced toast over bold char, ideal for contemplative sipping.

Sources

[1] Thewhiskeywash – "Bourbon Review: Buzzard's Roost Toasted American & Char #1 Bourbon Whiskeys"

[2] Thewhiskeywash – "Buzzard's Roost Bourbon Review: Toasted French Oak Bourbon & Barrel Strength Rye"

[3] Drinkhacker – "Review: Buzzard’s Roost Bourbon – Char #1 and Toasted American Oak"

[4] Breakingbourbon – "Press Release: Buzzard’s Roost Whiskey Releases Batch 2 of Toasted French Oak Bourbon"

[5] Breakingbourbon – "Buzzard’s Roost French Oak (Batch 2) Review | Breaking Bourbon"

[6] Bourbonblog – "Buzzard’s Roost Batch #2 of Toasted French Bourbon Drops on March 15, 2025"