Buzzard’s Roost Toasted American Oak Bourbon Review

Distillery: Distilled by Buzzard’s Roost—Louisville, Kentucky

Proof: 105 (52.5% ABV)

Age: Blend for four and five years old double-barreled bourbons

Mashbill: Blend of two mashbills: 74% Corn, 21% Rye, 5% Malted Barley and 59% Corn, 36% Rye, 5% Malted Barley

MSRP: $75

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Buzzard’s Roost Toasted American Oak Bourbon: Who They Are

Rye whiskey and American history have long been intertwined.  Few of our modern whiskies can lay claim to an authentic story in American history like Sexto Rye Two Barrel Reserve Whiskey does.

Rooted in the bootlegging traditions of Prohibition-era Iowa, this whiskey is a tribute to Lorine Sextro, a resourceful woman who, in 1932, learned the craft of distilling from a bootlegger to whom she rented her attic.

While federal agents raided a neighboring farm in 1933—mistakenly believing they had found the source of illegal whiskey—Lorine and her secret operation remained undiscovered. Rumors persist, to this day, that barrels of her small-batch 100% rye whiskey are still buried somewhere in Carroll County, Iowa.

Nearly 60 years later, in 1989, Lorine finally shared her bootlegging past, revealing her secret rye recipe to a family friend. That authentic prohibition-era recipe is revived in Sextro Rye Two Barrel Reserve, a modern whiskey that honors its origins. Distilled from 100% rye grain with a touch of cane sugar, it undergoes a two-barrel aging process designed to add depth to the final product.

Does it live up to its storied past? Let’s pour a glass and find out.

Buzzard’s Roost Toasted American Oak Bourbon Review: Tasting Notes

Nose – 4/5

The Nose is a delightful give-and-take between sweetness and spiciness. Notes of vanilla, honey, and caramelized sugar dominate, while hints of marshmallow, roasted almonds, and smoky charcoal are present. A touch of cinnamon weaves in some complexity and makes for an intriguing Nose.

Palate – 4.25/5

Buzzard’s Roost Toasted American Oak Bourbon quickly coats the tongue. The initial spiciness of red hot cinnamon is front and center then slowly gives way to the sweetness of butterscotch and a bitter delicacy of dark chocolate and finally into hints of toasted oak. Mid-palate, there’s a subtle nuttiness. The rye-forward spice is more prominent with each sip. The toasted oak is understated and yet impactful.

Finish – 3.75/5

The finish is medium-to-long, with lingering notes of caramelized marshmallow, oak, and warm spices. Black pepper provides a warmth that lingers on the Palate. While the finish lacks complexity, it effectively ties together the flavors found on the Nose and Palate, leaving me with a strong sense of satisfaction in this sipper.

Value – 3.75/5

Buzzard’s Roost Toasted American Oak Bourbon, at $70, sits in the premium category.  Its well-executed flavor profile makes it worth the investment for any enthusiast looking to add a high-quality new release to their sippin’ stock.

Buzzard’s Roost Toasted American Oak Bourbon Review: The Verdict

Buzzard’s Roost Toasted American Oak Bourbon is a testament to the influence of secondary barrel finishing. The lovely combination of sweetness, spice, and toasted oak flavors creates a bourbon that is suitable for sipping neat and will easily hold up to a rock or a crafted cocktail.

Verdict – 4/5

Insiders, please pay attention to this don’t miss bottle!

A Legacy of Bootlegging and Resilience

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