This is a bottle of bourbon that I saw overhyped a lot during the first part of my journey into this industry. Like many bottles from the Buffalo Trace Distillery, they become overinflated for what they are, and even hard to find in place they should be plentiful. Now, let me be clear, I am not saying that Buffalo Trace is not good whiskey, I am just saying that more often than not, the price you see on the shelf for a bottle from Buffalo Trace is not worth it, unless it is priced at MSRP, at least most of the time. Today’s review comes from the Buffalo Trace Distillery and is their bottle of Old Charter Finest Oak Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey.

Bottle Information

From the Buffalo Trace website: This bourbon aged and matured in the finest oak barrels from Canton Cooperage at Buffalo Trace Distillery. Harvested from select American white oak, these staves are hand-sorted and open-air seasoned in Kentucky. This rigorous preparation ensures the wood perfectly influences the spirit’s flavor, honoring the storied journey from forest to barrel.

• Distiller: Distilled, Aged, and Bottled by Buffalo Trace Distillery
• Mash Bill: Mash Bill #1
• Proof: 95
• Age: NAS
• Year: 2026
• MSRP: $75
• Official Website

Like many bottles from the Buffalo Trace Distillery, this is the first bottle of Old Charter Oak I have seen in the NoCo area. Now, on a side note, I would say that Colorado as a whole seems to be receiving Buffalo Trace products more regularly, and prices are dramatically going down and are now often found at MSRP, like this bottle. Overall, I am glad I waited to purchase this bottle until after the hype and at MSRP. The nose boasted typical sweet notes from Buffalo Trace of vanilla, brown sugar, and fruitiness that unfortunately diminished on the palate, and then became bitter oak tannins on the finish. With that said, let’s get our taste on!

• Nose: Brown Sugar, Vanilla, Apple Juice, Sweet Oak, Cherry, and Baking Spice
• Palate: Caramel, Brown Sugar, Baking Spice, Oak, and Vanilla
• Finish: Medium with Lasting Notes of Baking Spice, Vanilla, and Bitter Oak
• My Rating: Mix It! (This bourbon gets a lot of hype… I am glad I waited to purchase it at MSRP)

Please remember, drinking bourbon is a personal adventure, so do not be afraid to drink it neat, with ice, or add some water. It’s your bourbon, you bought it, and you should enjoy it how you want to enjoy it!

Cheers! Prost! Sláinte!

Bourbon Bossman®