Old Charter Oak French Oak Barrel Aged Kentucky Straight Bourbon (75cl, 46%)

Old Charter Oak French Oak is a Kentucky straight bourbon from Buffalo Trace's experimental wood series, which looks at how oak from different countries shapes bourbon. Barrels made from French oak were filled in 2007 with Buffalo Trace Mash #1, a low rye recipe, and the bourbon was aged for roughly twelve years before bottling at 92 proof (46%). The Old Charter name dates back to 1874 and honours the Charter Oak tree; each bottle carries a wooden sigil of an oak and a worker rolling a barrel. Vanilla leads the nose, with apricot, cherry and rose petal over gentle oak. The palate is thick and creamy, with honey, toffee and cinnamon, and the finish is long, with chocolate, toasted oak and brown sugar.