Distillery: Mystic Farm & Distillery — Durham, North Carolina
Proof: 100 (50% ABV)
Age: Seven to Nine Years
Mashbill: 55% Corn, 45% Wheat
MSRP: $200
Who They Are
Should I stay or should I go?! On a recent swing through North Carolina, I had a few craft distilleries in my sights for a visit. Pulling up to the first stop, I was immediately skeptical. I had assumed “farm” was just marketing fluff—how wrong I was. Having invested thirty-plus minutes off my main route, I decided to see it through.
Up along a long gravel drive lined with skinny pine trees is Mystic Farm & Distillery. Chickens to the right. Goats to the left. Wholesome picnic tables dot the grounds, surrounded by a large gravel parking lot and several large barn structures that I soon would find concealed their fair share of secrets.
Broken Oak Bourbon by Mystic Farm & Distillery exemplifies both a Distiller’s resilience and a bit of good fortune. The expression owes its origin to an unexpected challenge: a batch of barrels that began leaking beyond repair. Rather than discard the whiskey, the distillers decided to re-barrel it into new, charred oak casks—resulting in an unintentional second barreling.
This unexpected twist produced an outstanding bourbon, one which has earned prestigious accolades, including Double Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
Broken Oak Bourbon Review: Tasting Notes
Nose – 4.5/5
The Nose greets you with a unity of rich caramel and butterscotch, creating an inviting sweetness that is balanced by toasted oak and charred vanilla. Hints of dried apricots and orange zest add a bright fruitiness, while just a touch of cinnamon spice rounds out the profile.
Palate – 4.5/5
The Palate is warm and sweet, offering flavors of maple syrup, baked apples, and grandma’s buttery cornbread fresh from the oven. Mid-palate, there are deeper notes of dark chocolate, roasted nuts, and a bit of spice, culminating in a robust mingling of flavors. A rich and creamy mouthfeel coats the tongue, making this a standout sipper for an enthusiast.
Finish – 4/5
The Finish lingers with notes of toasted oak, a slight touch of black pepper, and hints of dark cherry. An ever-so-slight tannic dryness emerges toward the end—not off-putting, but rather adding an enduring complexity to the conclusion.
Value – 4/5
In Broken Oak, I thought I found something special. Was Broken Oak truly special or, was I simply swayed by my visit? In a blind test with several of my more discerning enthusiast friends, I put Broken Oak up against a much-coveted wheated expression from a long-running, highly prestigious distillery. The result? Broken Oak won decisively, leaving no doubt about its quality.
Priced at $200 and available exclusively through direct order from the distillery, Broken Oak Bourbon sits in the premium category. For enthusiasts willing to take a chance on a hidden gem that displays a lot of depth, character, and a one-of-a-kind origin story, this bottle offers a sipper that will surprise you and your friends.
Broken Oak Bourbon: The Verdict
Verdict – 4.25/5
If you give Broken Oak a try, I’d love to hear from you. Join the conversation in the Insider Community and share your thoughts!
We score each bourbon based on nose, palate, finish, and value.
Scoring System:
- Platinum – 4.5 – 5
- Gold – 4 – 4.5
- Silver – 3 – 4
- Bronze – <3
Mike Long is a staff writer at Bourbon Inspector and has an Executive Bourbon Steward designation from the Stave and Thief Society. He’s a former “wine guy” who discovered his love for bourbon years back at a spur-of-the-moment bourbon tasting he attended. He also loves traveling throughout America with his wife of over 37 years, Debby.