Old Charter Finest Oak

My wife is so very good to me. Twice a year, our local Hy-Vee store has a bourbon raffle. Get in line early, and nearly everyone is assured of the opportunity to purchase a rare or allocated bourbon find at close to MSRP. I had other commitments; she graciously waited in line with nearly a hundred bourbon nerds in hopes of scoring something nice.

This year, just in time for Father’s Day, she shared that her golden ticket was for Old Charter Finest Oak. Part of Buffalo Trace's Old Charter Oak lineup, Finest Oak is one of those releases that bourbon enthusiasts occasionally stumble upon "in the wild" and immediately start asking themselves, "Do I really need another bottle?"  Occasionally, the answer is yes, and I have to check this out – after all – it’s for the blog.

A Little Old Charter History

The Old Charter brand traces its roots back to 1874, when brothers Adam and Ben Chapeze named their whiskey after the famous Charter Oak tree of Hartford, Connecticut - a symbol of American independence and resilience. Today, the brand resides under the Buffalo Trace umbrella and serves as the foundation for the innovative Old Charter Oak series. 

The Old Charter Oak collection explores a simple but fascinating concept: how different oak species and barrel construction influence bourbon. The Finest Oak expression focuses on carefully selected American white oak sourced and coopered by Canton Cooperage. The staves are hand-sorted and naturally seasoned before becoming barrels, placing the spotlight squarely on one of bourbon's most important ingredients — the wood itself. 

Like Eagle Rare, Buffalo Trace, Benchmark, and E.H. Taylor Small Batch, Old Charter Finest Oak is produced from Buffalo Trace's famed Mash Bill #1, a low-rye recipe that has become one of Kentucky's most recognizable bourbon formulas. 

The Tasting

The packaging is eye-catching, with a square-shouldered bottle carrying a large oak medallion mounted front and center. It does not carry an age statement and is bottled at 92 proof. Made from Mash Bill #1, this low-rye mash bill is generally considered to contain nearly 90% corn, 7% rye, and the remaining in malted barley.

Eye: Dark amber in color with evenly spaced, thin legs sliding slowly down my Glencairn glass. The appearance suggests a bourbon that's spent plenty of quality time getting acquainted with its barrel.

Nose: The nose opens with vanilla and brown sugar before layers of chocolate toffee begin to emerge. A warm buttery caramel corn note follows. A gentle hint of toasted oak lingers in the background, never overpowering the sweeter notes but providing just enough structure to remind you this is still a Kentucky bourbon. Inviting and wonderfully balanced.

Palate: The first sip carries over many of the same aromas found on the nose. Vanilla leads the charge, followed by dark fruit and rich browned butter. Just when things begin leaning toward dessert territory, a burst of cinnamon Red Hots candy arrives to keep everything interesting. The result is a bourbon that walks a fine line between sweet and savory. Rich without becoming heavy. Complex without becoming complicated. And perhaps most importantly, enjoyable enough that you'll find yourself reaching for another sip before you've finished evaluating the first one. 

Finish: The finish is long, drying, and satisfying. Toasted oak gradually takes center stage while peppery spice builds and lingers long after the sweetness fades. There's no dramatic Kentucky hug here, but there is plenty of warmth and plenty of flavor. A finish that reminds you this bourbon was built around showcasing great oak.

Overall: What makes Old Charter Finest Oak interesting isn't just what's in the glass.

It's the comparison it naturally invites. Because beneath the label sits the same low-rye mash bill that powers Buffalo Trace, Eagle Rare, Benchmark, and E.H. Taylor . 

And that's where things get fascinating. Compared to Eagle Rare 10-Year, Old Charter Finest Oak feels richer and slightly sweeter. The additional proof — 92 versus Eagle Rare's 90 — gives it a little more presence on the palate. The oak-focused maturation also seems to bring additional layers of vanilla, caramel, and spice. 

From a pure flavor standpoint, I thoroughly enjoyed it. From a value standpoint? That's where things get a bit trickier.

Old Charter Finest Oak carries an MSRP around $80, while Eagle Rare has become increasingly easier to find and can often be found closer to $50. If both bottles were sitting side-by-side, I'd probably reach for Eagle Rare more often on a value basis.

But bourbon isn't always about spreadsheets and price-per-ounce calculations.

Sometimes it's about discovering something different. Something rare. Something you don't encounter every day. And that's exactly what Old Charter Finest Oak delivers. It's fascinating to see how one mash bill can produce such different results depending on age, proof, and maturation techniques.