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Bhakta 2013 Bourbon vs Bourbon Reviews: Buzzard’s Roost Toasted French Oak Strai...: Is the Higher Rating Justified?

Bhakta 2013 Bourbon vs Bourbon Reviews: Buzzard’s Roost Toasted French Oak Strai...: Is the Higher Rating Justified?

The world of whiskey is full of bottles that promise more than they deliver. Bhakta 2013 Bourbon vs Bourbon Reviews: Buzzard’s Roost Toasted French Oak Strai...: Is the Higher Rating Justified? belongs to the rarer category that simply lets the liquid speak.

Choosing between Bhakta 2013 Bourbon and Bourbon Reviews: Buzzard’s Roost Toasted French Oak Strai... can be tough, especially when they compete in the same space. In this head-to-head comparison, we taste them side by side and score every dimension so you don't have to guess.

Whether you're stocking your home bar or picking a gift, this breakdown will point you to the right bottle.

Specifications at a Glance

Bhakta 2013 BourbonBourbon Reviews: Buzzard’s Roost Toasted French Oak Strai...
DistilleryN/AN/A
TypeBourbonBourbon
AgeN/AN/A
ABV50.3% ABV)52.5% ABV, mash bill: 74% corn, 21% rye, and 5% ma
Price$149.00$85750.00
Rating10/104/10

Nose

Bhakta 2013 Bourbon: The Armagnac fruit hits is in full force with oranges and apricot. Traditional bourbon notes of oak and caramel lurk behind them. A bit of banana peeks through on the edges.

Bourbon Reviews: Buzzard’s Roost Toasted French Oak Strai...: The nose is strongly spiced with a pungent note of freshly chopped oak, clove, and dried grass. There is a hint of nail polish remover, whole wheat toast, and ripe green apples. This is more potently perfumed of the two. The nose here seems more saccharine and neutral, with notes of pear juice, toasted white bread, caramel corn, popcorn, and Queen Anne’s lace. The sweetness opens up into notes of caramel, candied pecans, milky tea, Lyle’s Golden Syrup, fresh dill, and chalk dust.

Both whiskeys present distinct aromatic profiles. The differences on the nose already hint at the divergent tasting experiences to come.

Palate

Bhakta 2013 Bourbon: Sweet figs and orange marmalade roll over wonderful notes of vanilla and toffee. Light cinnamon and licorice linger on the palate, with an epic finish of oak, maple syrup and burnt toffee.

Bourbon Reviews: Buzzard’s Roost Toasted French Oak Strai...: This is sugary on the palate with a moderately grippy mouthfeel and peppery alcohol. It feels like it’s evaporating on your tongue. There are notes of sandalwood, buckwheat, toasted brown rice, and dried apples. It is not overly fruity or floral, but more driven by grain and exotic spice notes. The finish is long and mellow, with notes of dried apples, toasted wheat bread, orange oil, and raw honey. Score: 4/5 Buzzard’s Roost Barrel Strength Rye (image via Buzzard’s Roost) Tasting Notes: Buzzard’s Roost Barrel Strength Straight Rye Whiskey Vital Stats: 4-year-old whiskey re-barreled in Char #1 new American oak, 57.5% ABV, mash bill: at least 51% rye, SRP $85/750ml bottle. Appearance: This whiskey was a touch lighter in color than the non-barrel strength version and is a moderate amber colo

On the palate, the character of each whiskey really comes to life. This is where personal preference plays the biggest role.

Finish

Bhakta 2013 Bourbon: Comments: Aged 9.5 years

Bourbon Reviews: Buzzard’s Roost Toasted French Oak Strai...: Comments: 5-year-old whiskey re-barreled in French oak, 52.5% ABV, mash bill: 74% corn, 21% rye, and 5% malted barley, SRP $85/750ml bottle

The finish can make or break a whiskey. A long, satisfying finish keeps you coming back for another sip.

Value for Money

When it comes to value for money, Bhakta 2013 Bourbon offers significantly more bang for your buck at $149.00 compared to Bourbon Reviews: Buzzard’s Roost Toasted French Oak Strai...'s $85750.00.

The significant price gap between these two makes value an especially important factor in this comparison.

The Verdict

In this matchup, Bhakta 2013 Bourbon takes the crown with a rating of 10/10 compared to Bourbon Reviews: Buzzard’s Roost Toasted French Oak Strai...'s 4/10. It delivers a more compelling overall experience that justifies its place in your collection.

That said, Bourbon Reviews: Buzzard’s Roost Toasted French Oak Strai... is by no means a bad whiskey. If the flavour profile of Bourbon Reviews: Buzzard’s Roost Toasted French Oak Strai... appeals to your palate more, don't let a number stop you.

Read the Full Reviews

Final Reflections

Bhakta 2013 Bourbon vs Bourbon Reviews: Buzzard’s Roost Toasted French Oak Strai...: Is the Higher Rating Justified? is the kind of bottle that rewards the curious — those willing to sit with a glass and let the story unfold at its own pace.

Walter Graves
Walter Graves
Features & Culture Writer

Walter writes long-form features that explore the stories behind whiskey — the people, places, and landscapes that give each bottle its character. A former travel journalist, he has visited over two h...

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