The newest Buzzard’s Roost launch is a real rarity, a seven yr outdated bourbon constructed from simply 2 barrels of whiskey, born of a mash of 75% corn, 21% rye, and 4% malted barley and that includes a secondary maturation in 18-month-seasoned Stage 1 charred barrels earlier than being bottled at cask power. Simply 260 bottles have been produced, all solely offered on the Buzzard’s Roost Whiskey Row Expertise in downtown Louisville.
We acquired a pattern to take a look at, so let’s dig in.
There’s a curious smokiness on the nostril right here, more and more insistent notes of charred wooden melding with butterscotch and buttered pecan notes. Layers of inexperienced and black pepper spice issues up, although they add a definite herbaceousness to the proceedings. Had I not recognized in any other case, I’d have guessed there’s much more rye on this than 21%.
The palate continues with a considerably dissonant high quality, evoking notes of peanut butter and barrel char, a grittier spice word, and eventually extra of that butterscotch character. Notes of almonds and vanilla caramel give the whiskey a baseline sweetness however one thing beneath comes throughout as harsh and slightly industrial, more and more beefy with time in glass. The end carries a little bit of a petroleum punch, weighting issues down additional.
It’s enjoyable to see Buzzard’s Roost creeping into formal age assertion territory, however I’m unsure these have been two particular barrels to do it with.
113.4 proof.
B / $150 / buzzardsroostwhiskey.com