Buzzard’s Roost Whiskey arrived on the scene in 2019 under the guidance of founders Judy Hollis Jones and Jason Brauner. From the outset, the brand created a clear identity through secondary maturation in custom toasted barrels coopered by Independent Stave Company. These 53-gallon new American white oak casks feature staves seasoned outdoors for at least 18 months, followed by a #1 char and a proprietary toast. The result has often been a layered spice character that distinguishes the portfolio in a crowded field.
Much of the whiskey released to date has been transparently sourced from MGP in Lawrenceburg, Indiana. In February 2026, the brand expanded its range with Buzzard’s Roost Four Grain Double Oak Bourbon, introducing a fresh angle. Instead of fermenting four grains together in a single mash, the team blended two mature bourbons: one built on a wheated recipe and another centered on rye. Combined, the resulting composition lands at 73% corn, 6% rye, 16% wheat, and 5% malted barley.
This release also marks a geographic shift. Four Grain is distilled by an undisclosed distillery in Ohio. While the label remains discreet, the brand has shared that distillation took place with a partner in central Ohio. Indicators point toward Middle West Spirits in Columbus as a likely collaborator. Known for working with atypical grains such as dark pumpernickel rye, Middle West distills a four-grain wheated bourbon for its own labels, though that house mashbill differs from the derived blend presented here. The distillery also handles a range of custom mashbills for clients, opening the door to numerous possibilities.
A closer look at the numbers suggests a blend weighted heavily toward a 75% corn, 21% wheat, 4% malted barley bourbon, supported by a smaller portion built on 60% corn, 36% rye, and 4% percent malted barley. The rye-heavy component matches the MGP mashbill, while the wheated mashbill mirrors MGP’s 21% rye mashbill. Given Buzzard’s Roost’s track record, the scenario points toward contract distillation in Ohio using mashbills aligned with those established Indiana templates. It’s probable that roughly 80-85% of the blend is comprised of wheated bourbon.
What remains uncertain is the grain selection itself. Did the distillate incorporate the more unique varietals often associated with Middle West, or did the brand request a more traditional grain?
The bourbon matured for a minimum of 5 years before entering the toasted finishing barrels for an additional 8 months. Between the four-grain concept and the Ohio distillation, this bottling signals a notable shift from the past. Whether that shift represents a turning point for the brand remains to be discovered. Let’s pour a glass and find out if different is good!
Buzzard’s Roost Four Grain Straight Bourbon Review
The nose opens with the aroma of a cherry Dum-Dum, softly muted, alongside the chewy crust of a freshly baked soft pretzel. The bready pretzel note shifts quickly to dried orange peel and mulled apple cider, conjuring a clear sense of winter. Toasted barrel influence contributes a controlled spice that complements the sweeter elements without overpowering.
On the palate, an initial hit of tobacco gives way to candy corn. The sweetness carries forward with notes of Werther’s Originals and spiced apple cider, supported by a medium-viscosity mouthfeel. As on the nose, the profile leans sweet, with the toasted barrel acting as a balancing accent rather than the focal point.
The finish reveals almond butter and muted root beer, before sweet Bazooka bubble gum delivers the final push. Overall, I am thoroughly impressed with Buzzard’s Roost Four Grain. It defies expectation in the best possible way. While the profile clearly favors sweetness, the toasted barrel spice provides a nice counterbalance, keeping the experience from becoming cloying. It is rare to encounter a bourbon this sweet that also carries such an ideal measure of spice.
Sweet-leaning bourbons are often reserved for dessert or a particular craving. Here, the meshing of sweetness and spice makes the profile versatile and widely appealing, suitable well beyond a dessert pour. This is the sweetest expression I have tasted from Buzzard’s Roost and the least spice-forward, yet it presents exactly the right proportion of spice for the underlying blend.
100 proof.
A- / $80
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