Bourbon

Whiskey Review: 2XO Tribute Blend

We review 2XO Tribute Blend, a blend of high rye and low rye bourbons from the former blender of Kentucky Owl.

OVERALL RATING

9
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2XO Tribute Blend review

Tasting Notes

About:

52% ABV; Mash bill: Undisclosed mix of high rye and low rye bourbons; 104 Proof; MSRP 99.99 USD.
Appearance:
Tawny
Nose:
There’s a rich, almost perfumed level of fruit and floral scent on the nose. I can pick out fresh plum, strawberry, hints of rose, and an undercurrent of vetiver. As I get a bit deeper, the familiar bourbon note of creamy vanilla is waiting, like a creamy dessert at the end of a garden walk.
Palate:
The floral scent translates into a bright body with an assertive burn. There’s an almost sparkling hit of fresh cherry with hints of rose. The mouthfeel is light, but the burn comes on quickly. In the finish, it spreads across the palate and deepens. The fruity notes become a sugary caramel and the floral notes become dark and mossy.
Finish:
Comments:
I’m typically more interested in palate, so it’s a rare treat for a whiskey to win me over completely on its nose. This smells amazingly, like a quality floral perfume. That translates into a taste that emphasizes the fruity and floral elements of whiskey.rnrnThe underlying caramel and vanilla elements of bourbon are still there, but as a backdrop. Instead, this blend brings out a more esoteric area of the flavor wheel. It’s a great example of whiskey going in a fresh direction, and delicious enough that anyone could enjoy a glass.

Editor’s Note: This whiskey was either bought as a sample by The Whiskey Wash or provided to us as a review sample by the party behind it. Per our editorial policies, this in no way influenced the outcome of this review.

Taylor Shiells

Taylor is a writer, researcher, and whiskey enthusiast. He came to Portland in pursuit of higher education, and found himself staying to pursue the Pacific Northwest's wide range of olfactory offerings. He's a fan of craft beer, farm to table food, indie perfume, and, most of all, whiskey. While he provides technical research to the entertainment industry by day, the Whiskey Wash gives him the opportunity to explore his passion, hone his palate, and practice a more flavorful form of writing.

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