Master blender Dixon Dedman has expanded his 2XO portfolio with the launch of White Oak Rye, marking his first Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey release under the brand. The new expression features a 95% rye mash bill and joins the award-winning American Oak and French Oak bourbons in the Oak Series lineup at $49.99 per 750ml bottle.
Double Oak Process Defines New Rye Whiskey
The White Oak Rye employs Dedman’s signature double oak technique, which introduces additional charred American White Oak to straight rye barrels during maturation. This proprietary process, which gives the 2XO brand its name (meaning “Two Times Oak”), intensifies the whiskey’s flavor development beyond traditional aging methods.
“After releasing American Oak and French Oak bourbons, Rye was the next natural addition to our ongoing Oak series,” says Dixon. “I’ve always enjoyed working with a high rye mashbill, and with White Oak Rye, that signature pepper comes through, along with sweeter notes from the double oak exposure during maturation.”
The official tasting notes describe pine, mint, cedar and peppery spice, balanced with sweeter barrel notes from the additional oak treatment. The whiskey is recommended neat, on the rocks, or in cocktails.
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Award-Winning Portfolio Expands
White Oak Rye joins a decorated lineup that includes American Oak Bourbon, which earned 97 points and a Double Gold Medal at the 2025 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, and French Oak Bourbon, which received 94 points and a Gold Medal at the same event.
Dedman brings significant rye whiskey expertise to the release, having previously created highly-rated rye expressions for Kentucky Owl, a brand his great-great grandfather founded and which Dixon relaunched in 2014. The Kentucky Owl brand went dark in 1916 around Prohibition before its revival.
The new rye will initially be available in eight states (Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Minnesota, North Carolina, Nebraska, and Wisconsin) with expansion planned for 2026. Online sales are available through ReserveBar.com.
2XO Whiskey operates in partnership with Minnesota-based Prestige Beverage Group, which manages a portfolio of over 70 beverage brands. The Oak Series represents the brand’s core offerings, with consistent batch profiles aimed at everyday consumption. The brand also produces limited Icon Series releases and single barrel Gem of Kentucky expressions.
The American rye whiskey market has experienced significant growth in recent years, with premium expressions commanding increased shelf space and consumer attention. High-rye mash bills, like 2XO’s 95% composition, represent the bold end of the category spectrum, typically delivering more intense spice notes than lower-rye alternatives.
