Oregon’s Eastside Distilling Drops A 10 Year Bourbon Finished In Oregon Oak

Eastside Distilling, based in Portland, Oregon, has been busy of late with some rebranding and new sourced expressions that all focus on the possibilities of what can happen when you finish American whiskey in Oregon oak. We reviewed most of their handy work recently and found, for the most part, they were on track. Now they are trying their hand at it again via a 10 year bourbon with the same finishing treatment.

The new Burnside Buckman RSV Bourbon, according to those behind it, is a sourced, decade old American bourbon that was finished for an undisclosed amount of time in Oregon oak casks. Using what’s known as Quercus garryana, or Oregon oak, in making barrels is a very uncommon practice versus the more common Missouri oak which makes up the majority of what’s aging in distillery warehouses these days. Besides Eastside, one also sees Westland out of Seattle, among others, using this type of oak in some of its whiskies.

“Our Burnside Buckman RSV Bourbon is a celebration of our 10-year anniversary and the newest member of our highly acclaimed Burnside Whiskey family,” said Eastside distiller Mel Heim in a prepared statement. “We’ve mellowed some of the best aged bourbons in our distinctive western U.S. Quercus garryana casks to create a one-of-a-kind premium bourbon experience. This limited-edition bottling is available while supplies last.

“We are proud of this uniquely smooth and satisfying bourbon expression which exemplifies the passion that Eastside Distilling has in creating the highest quality craft spirits as we head into our second decade.”

Plans call for this bourbon to initially only be available in Oregon. It is bottled at 46% ABV, and you’ll find some official tasting notes below for your consideration.

Burnside Buckman RSV Bourbon features a rich dark umber, henna color; with a bold spiced fruit bread with citrus and peppercorn and faint aromatics of apple fruit and wood.

The flavor opens with assertive oak and moves over the palate with dry floral tannins. The warmth is welcoming and lends notes of lemon peel and burnt sugar. The finish is long and dry.