Buzzard’s Roost Double Oak Bourbon Review | MGP Bourbon Finished in Toasted Barrels
Buzzard’s Roost Double Oaked Bourbon
Buzzard’s Roost Double Oak Bourbon Review
In this episode of Tortured Bourbon, we pour a glass of Buzzard’s Roost Double Oak Bourbon — a sourced MGP bourbon that has been finished in specially toasted barrels to enhance spice, sweetness, and oak complexity.
Buzzard’s Roost has been gaining attention in the bourbon world for its focus on barrel finishing and secondary maturation. Instead of distilling their own whiskey, the Louisville-based company sources high-quality Indiana bourbon from MGP, then finishes the whiskey in custom toasted barrels designed to amplify flavor.
This approach has sparked plenty of debate among bourbon fans. Some see it as innovative blending and finishing. Others see it as simply dressing up sourced bourbon. Either way, the real question remains the same:
Does it taste good?
That’s exactly what we’re here to find out.
Buzzard’s Roost Double Oak Bourbon Specs
Distillery Source: MGP (Indiana)
Brand: Buzzard’s Roost (Louisville, Kentucky)
Mash Bill
• 75% Corn
• 21% Rye
• 4% Malted Barley
Proof
• 100 Proof
Style
• Double Oaked / Secondary Barrel Finished
Typical Price
• Around $40–$50
Buzzard’s Roost focuses heavily on toasted barrel finishing. After the initial aging process, the bourbon is transferred into specially toasted barrels with lighter char levels designed to pull out dessert-like flavors and spice notes.
Bourbon Tasting Notes
Nose
• Roasted nuts
• Cinnamon
• Caramel
• Root beer
Palate
• Vanilla
• Almonds
• Cinnamon graham cracker
• Brown sugar
Finish
• Cinnamon spice
• Toasted oak
• Snickerdoodle cookie sweetness
The flavor profile leans into sweet dessert-style bourbon with a balance of baking spice and toasted oak.
Buzzard’s Roost and the MGP Question
One of the interesting aspects of Buzzard’s Roost is that the brand openly sources whiskey from MGP in Indiana, one of the largest contract distillers in the United States.
MGP bourbon is widely used across the industry and has appeared in brands like Smoke Wagon, Remus, and several well-known craft labels. What makes Buzzard’s Roost different is its focus on secondary maturation and barrel finishing.
Their goal is to take a solid base bourbon and shape it through toasted oak finishing to create a unique flavor profile.
The Tortured Bourbon Verdict
On Tortured Bourbon, we don’t chase hype. We drink bourbon, talk a little smack, and judge bottles based on flavor, balance, and whether we’d actually pour a second glass.
Our rating system includes:
Cock of the Walk – top shelf, exceptional bourbon
Hush Your Mouth – dangerously good pour
That Dog Will Hunt – reliable everyday bourbon
Bless Your Heart – better in a cocktail
Piddlin’ – just avoid it
For us, Buzzard’s Roost Double Oak Bourbon lands solidly in the That Dog Will Hunt category.
It delivers a pleasant nose, a sweet cinnamon-forward palate, and a balanced finish. While it may not dethrone classics like Woodford Double Oaked, it offers a solid double-oak bourbon experience at a reasonable price.
And sometimes, that’s exactly what you want in a bottle.
Watch the Full Episode
Watch our full Buzzard’s Roost Double Oak Bourbon review below and see what we really thought about this toasted barrel finished bourbon.
