American

Buzzard’s Roost American Whiskey

$39.99

OVERALL
RATING

6

Whiskey Review: Buzzard’s Roost American Whiskey

We review Buzzard’s Roost American Whiskey, a three-year-old sourced whiskey finished in Buzzard's Roost's specialized secondary maturation process.
Like Conversation

Tasting Notes:

About:
A three-year-old sourced whiskey finished in Buzzard’s Roost’s specialized secondary maturation process; bottled at 105 proof; priced at $39.99.
Appearance:
This shows up in a respectable way in the glass, with a nice, moderate amber color, a solid leg structure, and decent viscosity.
Nose:
The sweet corn shows up in this on the initial aromatics, but it is tempered by what I’m guessing is the specialized finishing process. Notes to consider here include vanilla, cotton candy, oak, peach, a slight mushroom, and a subtle hint of rye spice.
Palate:
This rolls over the tongue surprisingly sweetly, one of which I have mixed feelings about. It’s some honey, vanilla, apple, a kick of black pepper, a bit of banana bread, and a mulling of oak.
Finish:
This finishes sweet and thin, lingering for a moment before fading off.
Comments:
I’m not sure if it is the individual parts or the sum of everything played against the finishing process Buzzard’s Roost is known for, but I find this whiskey not as smooth of a sipper as I had hoped. That sweetness I got throughout doesn’t balance well. This might be best for cocktails.
Buzzard’s Roost American Whiskey review
We review Buzzard’s Roost American Whiskey, a three year-old, sourced whiskey finished in Buzzard’s Roost’s specialized secondary maturation process. (image via Buzzard’s Roost)

Editor’s Note: We received a review sample of this whiskey from the brand. However, in accordance with our editorial policies, this has not influenced the outcome of our review in any way.

Buzzard’s Roost, established in 2019, is a Kentucky-based American whiskey blender and bottler that’s seen some good traction with its releases. One thing seemingly helping them stand out is the development of a unique second barrel maturation process for the whiskeys they source, in which barrels developed for them by Independent Stave Company are (1) made from oak that’s been seasoned at least 18 months and (2) that’s fired at Char #1 “over very specific toast levels to coax complex flavors from each barrel, leading to rye whiskeys and bourbons with flavors unlike any other.”

Having already produced a host of bourbon and ryes, Buzzard’s Roost more recently turned to the “American whiskey” category in debuting its Buzzard’s Roost American Whiskey. They see it “as a versatile, approachable whiskey crafted for cocktails as well as sipping.”

“We had great fun creating our first American Whiskey,” said Buzzard’s Roost Master Blender Jason Brauner at the time of this whiskey’s release. “We had our pick of our own whiskey-soaked barrels and the flavor profiles that each was designed for. We think we’ve come up with something that’s delicious as a sipper and will elevate any whiskey cocktail.”

What’s in the bottle

Buzzard’s Roost American Whiskey is a three-year-old sourced whiskey that underwent the brand’s secondary barrel aging process to finish the expression. It was initially distilled from a mash bill of 75% corn, 21% rye, and 4% malted barley. After getting a hold of it, finishing went on at Bardstown Bourbon Company before being later bottled at 105 proof and priced at $39.99.

Nino Kilgore-Marchetti

Nino Kilgore-Marchetti is the founder of The Whiskey Wash, an award-winning whiskey lifestyle website dedicated to informing and entertaining consumers about whisk(e)y globally. As a whisk(e)y journalist, expert, and judge, he has written extensively about the subject, been interviewed in various media outlets, and provided tasting input on many whiskeys at competitions.

All Posts
Search
  • Latest News
  • Latest Reviews