Buzzard’s Roost Whiskey announced the release of its newest batch of Toasted French Bourbon on March 15. Batch 2 of Toasted French Oak Bourbon takes a slightly different approach than Batch 1, using French oak staves that were precision-toasted to coax out the most appealing flavors.

Three important differentiators between French oak staves and whole barrels were considered before creating this new release:

• While French oak barrels can only be toasted for very short periods of time, French oak staves can be toasted for as much as 18 hours, allowing the heat to tame extra tannins that are present in French oak;
• French oak has a greater concentration of hemicellulose than other types of oak, resulting in more sugar molecules for caramelization;
• The ability to toast French oak for a longer time leads to greater concentrations of flavor producers.

“We think Batch 2 is even more delicious than our first batch,” Buzzard’s Roost co-founder and CEO Judy Hollis Jones said in a news release. “Batch 1 was a favorite of many of Buzzard’s Roost customers, but with a brand mantra of ‘Innovation Within the Bounds of Tradition, we always look for new opportunities to create outstanding flavors.

“By working closely with Independent Stave Company on the proprietary process for secondary maturation, we were able to produce a double-oaked bourbon that expresses the best flavors to be found in French oak. We can’t wait for everyone to taste it.”

With a mash bill of 75% corn, 21% rye and 4% malted barley, the secondary maturation with French oak staves resulted in flavors of vanilla cupcake with light caramel frosting, dried apples powdered cinnamon and a touch of sweet oak. SRP is $85.

Buzzard’s Roost Toasted French Bourbon Batch 2 will land at Buzzard’s Roost on Saturday, March 15 – which coincides with the celebration of National Buzzard’s Day. Doors will open at 11 a.m., and from 2-5 p.m., KY Raptor Rehabilitation will be onsite with a rescue buzzard to educate people about the importance of raptors in the ecosystem, and to offer photo opps.

Read more: Buzzard’s Roost to Hit Six New Markets

About Buzzard’s Roost

Buzzard’s Roost Sipping Whiskeys started in 2022 and is an independent distiller, blender and bottler of exceptional whiskies crafted using pioneering techniques. Buzzard’s Roost whiskeys are created using a break-through approach to secondary maturation including 18-month-seasoned oak barrels for intensified flavors, and exclusive use of Char #1 over very specific toast levels designed to coax complex flavors from each barrel, leading to bourbon and rye whiskeys that taste like no other.