Roasted carnival nuts | Root beer | Burnt caramel | Toasted cinnamon

Oak | Toasted vanilla baklava | Mixed nuts | Cinnamon graham cracker

Cinnamon | Toasted oak | Brown sugar | Snickerdoodle cookie | Lingering oak spice

Buzzard’s Roost is back following up on their enjoyable Buzzard’s Roost Kindred Collaboration Bourbon, and joins in on the double oak movement. Though most probably don’t know it, all of Buzzard’s Roost whiskeys have spent time in a second barrel. What makes Buzzard’s Roost Double Oak special, according to the company, is that they use “proprietary casks” that are “specially toasted to coax out the most desirable flavors." Though the end result isn’t wildly different from other double-oaked bourbons, there is enough distinction to notice.

Firstly, the bourbon opens with a strong roasted candied nuts scent, similar to what you’d buy at a carnival, that works quite well. It’s combined with root beer, burnt caramel, and toasted cinnamon to a pleasing effect. The palate is gentle, a trait that carries through the rest of the sip and can’t always be said of other double-oaked bourbons. Oak is at the forefront of the palate with toasted vanilla baklava, mixed nuts, and cinnamon graham crackers working their way in. The finish is led by cinnamon, with toasted oak, brown sugar, and snickerdoodle cookie adding some distinction.

Buzzard’s Roost Signature Double Oak features a narrow band of flavors, but each is offered in just the right dosing. Many producers try to go big and bold with their double-oaked bourbons, and often, there isn’t a need to. Double-oaking a bourbon already produces robust flavor, especially oak, and it seems Buzzard’s Roost made a point to scale back. This allows the less robust flavors to come out and shine among the strong-willed oak notes. At $45, it's priced right as a solid sipper or even a solid base for cocktails that need more of its classic bourbon notes to pull through.