Old Charter Oak Chinkapin Oak

Nine years in barrels made from Chinkapin oak — a species air-dried for two years before staving. Cherries, spearmint, honey, and dark chocolate. The most unusual cask experiment in the Old Charter Oak series.

The Old Charter Oak series from Buffalo Trace is an ongoing experiment in how different oak species shape bourbon character. Standard bourbon is matured in new charred American white oak (Quercus alba) — every release in this series replaces that wood with something else entirely. The Chinkapin Oak expression uses barrels made from Chinkapin oak (Quercus muehlenbergii), a tall North American species whose staves were air-dried for two years before cooperage — far longer than the three-month industry standard for American white oak.

The extended air-drying reduces harsh tannins in the wood, allowing the Chinkapin oak's natural character — a more delicate, fruit-forward sweetness compared to white oak — to express itself without astringency. After nine years in these barrels at Buffalo Trace, the result is a bourbon with an unusually light and aromatic profile: cherries, spearmint, fresh herbs, honey, and a dark chocolate and warm baking spice finish that distinguishes it from anything else in the Buffalo Trace lineup.

Tasting Notes

• Appearance: Medium amber with warm golden highlights, lighter than standard long-aged Buffalo Trace expressions.
• Aroma: Cherries, spearmint, fresh herbs, and a delicate honey sweetness.
• Palate: Fresh and aromatic — herbs, honey, and a light fruit character that reflects the Chinkapin oak's delicate tannin profile.
• Finish: Warm baking spices and dark chocolate fading into a clean, slightly cooling spearmint close.

Specs

• Distillery: Buffalo Trace, Frankfort, Kentucky
• Style: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• Age: 9 years
• Cask: Chinkapin oak (Quercus muehlenbergii), staves air-dried 2 years
• Size: 750ml

Explore the full Buffalo Trace collection or browse all bourbon at Wooden Cork.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is Chinkapin oak? Chinkapin oak (Quercus muehlenbergii) is a North American hardwood species that grows primarily in rocky, well-drained soils. In barrel form it produces a more delicate, fruit-forward influence than American white oak — with less of the vanilla and coconut notes that define standard bourbon maturation and more of a fresh fruit and herbal character.
• Why does air-drying the staves matter? Air-drying removes harsh green tannins from the wood naturally over time. The industry standard is three months of air-drying; Chinkapin oak staves were dried for two years — eight times longer — which significantly softens the wood's astringency and allows the oak's fruit and sweetness to express themselves cleanly in the finished bourbon.
• How does this compare to other Old Charter Oak releases? The series includes French oak and other American species variants. The Chinkapin expression is among the most distinctive for its spearmint and cherry character — flavor notes that don't appear in any other Buffalo Trace production bourbon.
• Is this a limited release? Yes — Old Charter Oak releases are produced in limited quantities based on available barrels of each species. Once sold out, individual oak variants are not guaranteed to return.