Buzzard's Roost Barrel Strength Bourbon Whiskey
Buzzard's Roost Barrel Strength Bourbon Whiskey is where the Louisville blender started: a 4-to-6-year-old blend of two high-rye Indiana mash bills, rested in proprietary toasted and lightly charred oak barrels and bottled uncut at barrel strength — roughly 114 to 116 proof depending on the batch — in a 750mL bottle. Dark red fruit, vanilla bean and cinnamon with a perfectly judged marriage of structure and heat. It is available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.
- Proof / ABV: Barrel strength — varies by batch, typically ~114–116 proof
- Size: 750mL
- Age: Blend of 4-to-6-year-old whiskeys + proprietary-barrel rest
- Mash bills: 60% corn / 36% rye / 4% malt AND 75% corn / 21% rye / 4% malt
- Origin: Distilled in Indiana; blended and finished in Louisville, Kentucky
- Accolades: Gold, 2022 & 2023 SF World Spirits Competition; Gold, 2024 Barleycorn; Paste Top 15 Whiskeys of 2021
The One That Started It All
Buzzard's Roost launched in 2021 with this exact bottle — the brand's declaration that a blender, armed with the right barrels, could stand with any distillery. Two high-rye Indiana recipes are married and given the brand's signature second-barrel rest in proprietary toasted, lightly charred oak, then bottled straight from the barrel. The medals followed quickly: back-to-back San Francisco golds, a Barleycorn gold, and a spot on Paste's Top 15 Whiskeys of 2021. Explore the Buzzard's Roost collection, browse bourbon, and compare more barrel-proof bourbon at Del Mesa.
Tasting Notes
A big, wine-like nose — dark red berry and dark fruit plus vanilla bean. The palate brings cinnamon, clove, malty smokiness and woody vanilla, well balanced with moderate heat for the proof. A medium-length finish marrying structure and warmth.
How to Enjoy
Neat, with water alongside — at ~114+ proof a few drops will open the dark-fruit and vanilla layers dramatically. Built for slow sipping; this is not a cocktail bourbon, though a single cube won't hurt it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the proof of Buzzard's Roost Barrel Strength?
It varies by batch (recent batches ~114–116 proof); it is bottled uncut straight from the barrel.
Where does the whiskey come from?
Distilled in Indiana, blended and finished in Louisville, Kentucky.
What mash bills does it use?
Two high-rye recipes: 60/36/4 and 75/21/4 (corn/rye/malted barley).
Pick up Buzzard's Roost Barrel Strength from Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA — the award-winning first release, bottled exactly as the barrel intended.