Daniel Davis
A New Whiskey Expression: Old Charter Oak Series Adds Spanish Oak to Its Lineup
If you’re an avid follower of the whiskey world, you’ve probably heard about the Buffalo Trace Distillery’s Old Charter Oak series. A trailblazer in the industry, Buffalo Trace continues to redefine whiskey exploration and experimentation by releasing awe-inspiring expressions that treat our taste buds like never before. Today, we’re talking about the newest addition to the famous lineup – the Spanish Oak.
Understanding the Old Charter Oak Series
The Old Charter Oak series is Buffalo Trace’s way of exploring and experimenting with different oak influences around the world. The series began in 2018 and was inspired by an 18th-century charter that granted whiskey distillers the legal right to store their distilled spirits in oak barrels, a tradition that gives bourbon its distinctive taste and color. Each release from this series uses bourbon barrels made from oak trees growing in different parts of the world, including French, Mongolian, and now Spanish oak.
Getting Acquainted with the Spanish Oak
In the realm of whiskey, the type of oak used can greatly impact the final taste of the spirit, and the Spanish Oak is no exception. Spanish Oak tends to be denser and more porous than its American and French counterparts. This, in turn, allows the whiskey to penetrate deeper into the wood during the aging process, therefore, imparting a unique flavor profile that is oftentimes more intense and darker in color.
For this extension of the Old Charter Oak Series, Buffalo Trace harvested Spanish Oak from the forests of Galicia, a coastal region in Spain’s northwest known for its rugged beauty and lush, verdant landscapes. These trees grew in a cooler, moister climate than the oak trees typically used for bourbon barrels, which gives the Spanish Oak a distinct, aromatic flavor.
Tasting Notes: The Spanish Oak Experience
The Spanish Oak Bourbon delivers a robust experience that is distinctively different from other expressions in the Old Charter Oak series. On the nose, this bourbon gives off an intoxicating mix of fruity and sweet aromas – think ripe cherries, berries, vanilla, and spicy oak.
The taste is strikingly complex, rich, and full-bodied. Dark fruit flavors of plums and berries mingle with hints of toasted oak and vanilla, which then transition into a warm, spicy finish that lingers on your taste buds.
Spanish Oak: Another Strike of Brilliance from Buffalo Trace
The release of the Spanish Oak Bourbon is another testament to Buffalo Trace’s innovative spirits and relentless pursuit of redefining the whiskey landscape. Despite the difficulties of working with a denser wood and transporting the oak barrels across countries and continents, Buffalo Trace continues to push the boundaries of whiskey exploration in their quest to craft something unique and exceptional every single time.
The Future of the Old Charter Oak Series
Buffalo Trace’s adventurous experiment with international woods isn’t stopping anytime soon. The Old Charter Oak series will continue, with promising new whiskey expressions on the horizon. Whether these will feature different varieties of oak, other foreign or domestic woods, or even more unconventional aging methods remains a thrilling mystery.
In the end, the Spanish Oak Bourbon is more than just a new bottle on the shelf. It’s a symbol of Buffalo Trace’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of whiskey production, and a delightful treat for those of us who love an exciting flavor journey.
