French toast whiskey: what it is and where to look

French toast whiskey is a flavored whiskey that tastes of cinnamon, vanilla, maple and brown sugar, and the name usually points to Uncle Charlie's French Toast Whiskey. Start with our Flavored Whiskey page to see what is on the shelf, since stock changes, and read on for how to get the same taste from other bottles.

What is french toast whiskey?

French toast whiskey is a whiskey sweetened and flavored to taste like the breakfast dish: warm cinnamon, vanilla, a little maple or brown sugar, and a soft, custardy sweetness. It is a flavored whiskey, the same family as cinnamon, honey and apple whiskeys, and it is made to be easy to sip or mix rather than to taste like an aged bourbon.

When people search the phrase, the bottle they usually mean is Uncle Charlie's French Toast Whiskey. It is the name most tied to the flavor, though the idea is broader than one label.

Because the base is whiskey with added flavor and sweetener, the taste leans dessert. That makes it a good fit for coffee, hot drinks, and cold weather evenings, and a poor fit if you want the oak and spice of a straight bourbon.

Where do you find it at CBC Liquors in Westford?

Flavored whiskeys are grouped on our Flavored Whiskey page, and the wider whiskey section covers bourbon, rye, Scotch, Irish and more. Check the flavored page first for anything built around breakfast, dessert or baking flavors.

Stock moves from day to day, so a particular flavored bottle may be on the page one week and gone the next. If the exact bottle you are after is not showing, the page will still show the nearest alternatives we have in stock.

If you would rather ask a person, the shop is at 142 Littleton Rd in Westford. Bring the name of the bottle or even just the flavor you want, and we can point you to what is on the shelf.

Looking for a hard-to-find bottle?

Flavored whiskeys with a cult following can be hard to track down, and many shoppers searching this phrase are hunting for one specific label. The first step is to search the site or browse the Flavored Whiskey page, since that shows what is in stock now.

For bottles that are limited or released in small quantities, we also have an Allocated Items page. It is worth a look if your search goes beyond a regular flavored bottle.

If you have a particular label in mind, ask us in the store. We cannot promise any bottle will turn up, but telling us exactly what you want is the best way to be sure we know about it.

How do you get the french toast taste with other bottles?

You do not need a dedicated bottle to get the flavor. Take a smooth bourbon, add a little real maple syrup, a pinch of cinnamon and a couple of drops of vanilla, and you have the same flavors in a drink you control. The bourbon brings its own vanilla and caramel notes, which is why it works so well.

A simple version: stir a measure of bourbon with a small spoon of maple syrup and a dash of cinnamon over ice, then add a splash of cream if you want it to read as dessert. Keep the sweetener light and taste as you go.

Our bourbon page lists what we carry, and the mixers page has what you might add.

Which whiskeys work best for a homemade version?

Pick a bourbon with a rounder, sweeter profile. Bulleit Bourbon has a spicier edge that plays well with cinnamon, while Jim Beam Original is a mellow, straightforward base for sweet mixes. Knob Creek Straight Bourbon Whiskey is a fuller, oakier choice if you want the whiskey to stay in front of the maple.

If you prefer a lighter, softer base, Jameson Irish Whiskey is smooth and works with vanilla and cream, especially in a warm coffee drink. Johnnie Walker Black Label is better kept for sipping, since its smoky character does not suit a breakfast sweetness.

For a hit of cinnamon in the glass, Fireball Cinnamon Whiskey is a ready-made option. A small amount mixed with a plain bourbon and a touch of maple gets you closer to french toast than either on its own.

How do you serve french toast whiskey?

Served neat or over ice, a flavored whiskey like this is sweet and gentle. Many people pour it into hot coffee, hot chocolate or warm apple drinks, where the cinnamon and vanilla carry through.

For a cold drink, shake it with a little cream and strain it over ice for something like a liquid dessert. It also works as a small pour alongside a real breakfast spread at a brunch.

Keep the bottle sealed and out of direct sunlight, as you would with any whiskey. Sweet, cream-based mixes should be made fresh and not stored. Pour at a pace that suits you and the company, and never drink and drive.

Can you pick it up, or have it delivered?

You can order ahead for pickup. Pickup hours are Sunday 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM, Monday to Thursday 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM, and Friday and Saturday 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM, the same as the store's opening hours.

We also offer delivery and shipping. Delivery hours are Sunday 10:00 AM to 7:30 PM, Monday to Thursday 10:00 AM to 8:30 PM, and Friday and Saturday 10:00 AM to 9:30 PM. Our delivery areas page shows where we deliver, and our shipping policy covers the rest. Whoever receives an order of alcohol must be 21 or older.

Because stock changes, look at the Flavored Whiskey page before you order so you know what is available.

Who do we serve around Westford?

The shop is on Littleton Rd in Westford, and we also serve Chelmsford, Carlisle, Littleton, Acton, Tyngsborough, Lowell, Billerica, Boxborough and Dunstable. Town pages such as Chelmsford, Acton and Lowell explain delivery for each area.

Our Google rating is 4.7 out of 5 from 339 reviews. We have 4,559 products in stock across 1,880 brands, so if french toast whiskey is not the exact bottle you find, there is a good chance something close is on the shelf.

Planning a gathering where you want a few dessert-style drinks on the table? Our party planner page is a good place to start.