Treaty Oak Day Drinker Bourbon Review

The idea with the Treaty Oak Day Drinker Bourbon is to create something that’s light and easy to sip all day. Aged or 1 year and bottled at 40% they definitely achieved their goal, but the question is… who exactly is the target market? Novice whiskey drinkers? Brunch goers? Hipsters with a little cash to throw around? I’m not entirely sure of the goal here. But I do love that they offer 375ML bottles. More brands should.

I get it, this is a new product and they’re a young distillery, they need to do something to stand out, but is it this? As far as I’m concerned Heaven Hill has had one of the best “day drinking” bourbons around for over 70 years: Evan Williams Black Label. It’s only 3% more ABV, 1/2 the price, and four times the age. So I’m having trouble seeing how this is going to compete outside of its local area. But who knows, maybe tasting it will make things clearer.

Treaty Oak Day Drinker Bourbon – Details and Tasting Notes

Whiskey Details

Region: Texas

Distiller: Treaty Oak Distilling
Mash Bill: 57% Corn, 32% Wheat, 11% Malted Barley
Cask: New Charred Oak
Age: 1 year
ABV: 40%

Non-Chill Filtered | Natural Color

Price: $31*

White background tasting shot with the Treaty Oak Day Drinker Bourbon bottle and a glass of whiskey next to it.

“With an inviting aroma of vanilla sugar cookies and maple syrup, The Day Drinker’s silky texture carries notes of kettle corn, wheat, mild nutmeg and cinnamon. Where most whiskeys boast rich wood sugars and complex flavors brought on by the charred barrel, this bourbon features Texas corn and wheat that make this juice special.” – Treaty Oak Distilling

Tasting Notes

EYE
Light amber

NOSE
Butterscotch, toffee, spice, citrus, cereal grain sweetness, fruit and a touch of wood and fruit.

PALATE
Fruit, wood, raw cereal grain, copper and touches of honey, nuts and spice.

FINISH
Short -> Fruit, spice, honey, wood.

BALANCE, BODY and FEEL
Not really, thin and watery, soft and light.

Treaty Oak Day Drinker Bourbon – Overall

Aroma is dessert/candy sweet with soft grainy notes and a touch of oak with some light fruity notes – it lacks that harsh craft profile, but also lacks any sense of depth; Palate is where the youth really comes out in force with raw woody, grainy and metallic notes with bits of fruit, honey and spice keeping it from being a typical craft whiskey; Finish starts nice, but turns to that raw wood “craft” profile I’m not a fan of.

I can see the idea, a light easy “day drinking” bourbon, but I’m not a fan at this point.

Treaty Oak Day Drinker Bourbon – Final Thoughts and Score

This isn’t the kind of whiskey I’d reach for, but I see its place. For someone just getting into whiskey, those who like lighter flavors without the harshness of USA blends, and even some potential with brunch cocktails. I see where it could fit, but it doesn’t work for me.

It’s too light, it’s too woody (crafty) and the grainy/spirity youth is readily apparent. As the Treaty Oak Day Drinker Bourbon sits, the metallic notes morph into sharp tannic notes further killing it for me. It misses the stride I look for in a sipping whiskey – no matter where the sun’s positioned.

SCORE: 1.5/5

*Disclosure: The sample for this bourbon review was graciously sent to me by the company without obligation. The views, opinions, and tasting notes are 100% my own.

Treaty Oak Day Drinker Bourbon Back Label

Treaty Oak Day Drinker Bourbon Review $31

Summary

It’s light, it’s woody, fruity and has that crafty profile hanging through it. I can see what they’re going for and where it might work, but it’s not something I’d ever grab.