Based in Portland, Oregon, Eastside Distilling produces and bottles Burnside Bourbon, which includes a number of sourced bourbons finished in casks made of quercus garryana (Oregon white oak). They’ve had some solid releases with their Double Barrel Bourbon, 4 year old Bourbon and Marionberry Whiskey in the past. They recently released a 10 year old bourbon that is also finished in Oregon oak as a tribute to their 10 year anniversary.

The nose and palate feature notes similar to the double barrel bourbon, with a burnt creme brulee sweetness on the nose paired with an equally dessert-rich, creamy/toasted sweetness on the palate. However, the additional age of the Buckman Rsv shows through with an edgy oakiness that opens immediately and stays prominent in the mix.

There is a lot of depth promised up front, but unfortunately it is undelivered in the arc of the experience, with a notable wateriness of the finish. The flavor drops off abruptly and the overall mouthfeel is quite thin. This bourbon is released at 92 proof, which is peculiarly lower in proof than the company’s younger bourbons (at 96 proof). Although this is pleasant enough (and could make for an apres-dinner fireside sipper), I am most left pondering what better things may have been awaiting at a higher abv.

92 proof.

B- / $80 / burnsidewhiskey.com

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