Old Charter Oak French Oak Bourbon Whiskey
Old Charter Oak French Oak Bourbon Whiskey is a 750mL Kentucky straight bourbon bottled at 92 proof (46% ABV), distilled from Buffalo Trace's Mash Bill #1 and aged in barrels made of French oak. The bottling described here — barrels obtained from France in 2007 — was aged twelve years before its 2019 release, the second release in the Old Charter Oak series. It is available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor.
- ABV: 46% (92 proof)
- Size: 750mL
- Age: 12 years for the 2007-barrel bottling described here (2019 release)
- Mash Bill: Buffalo Trace Mash Bill #1 (grain percentages not published)
- Casks: New charred barrels made from French oak
- Origin: Buffalo Trace Distillery, Frankfort, Kentucky
One Mash Bill, a Different Forest
The Old Charter Oak series explores what oak from different countries, climates and soils does to the same bourbon; French oak's tighter grain gives subtler flavour and a silkier texture than American oak. The Old Charter brand dates to 1874, and Buffalo Trace reports French Oak honours including Gold at the 2023 International Spirits Challenge and Golds at the 2021 and 2020 American Whiskey Masters. See the house on the Old Charter Oak vendor page, or browse our bourbon whiskey collection.
Tasting Notes
Per Buffalo Trace's published notes: vanilla on the nose with hints of apricot, cherry and rose petal; a thick, creamy palate of maple syrup with the oak coming through; a long finish of chocolate and toasted oak.
How to Enjoy
Pour it neat in a Glencairn and compare it side by side with an American-oak Buffalo Trace bourbon — the forest is the whole experiment. More limited Buffalo Trace releases are in our bourbon whiskey collection.
Frequently Asked Questions
What mash bill is Old Charter Oak French Oak?
Buffalo Trace Mash Bill #1 — the same published mash bill behind Buffalo Trace and Eagle Rare bourbons. The distillery does not publish its grain percentages.
Is every French Oak release 12 years old?
No — French Oak is a recurring series expression. The twelve-year figure belongs to the 2007-barrel bottling released in 2019; a later 2021 French Oak release states no age.
Why French oak?
Its tighter grain imparts flavour more slowly and subtly than American oak, giving the silkier texture Buffalo Trace built this series to showcase.
Mash Bill #1 through a French forest — order Old Charter Oak French Oak online from Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA.