Editor’s Note: This whiskey was 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.
What’s in the bottle
The whiskey being reviewed here, 2XO French Oak Bourbon, is the second release in the Oak Series. For this offering, Dedman inserts chains of charred oak (in this case, charred French oak) into barrels with a moderate amount of rye in the mashbill (18%). This technique, it is said, allows Dixon to “intensify the maturation process by creating more surface area for the liquid in the barrels to interact with the chains of charred oak, elevating the combination of flavors.”
“Adding a French Oak version of the Oak Series is a natural progression,” said Dedman when this bourbon was released. “It is a great compliment to the traditional vanilla to peppery notes found in American Oak [the first Oak Series offering] because French Oak lends itself to more baking spices and richer, savory, and caramel notes. The addition of French Oak further builds out the 2XO offerings and shows how the emphasis on additional oak during maturation can impart and build unique profiles while starting with the same base.
“I love the response we’ve received on French Oak and am excited to continue to explore additional opportunities in the future to grow the Oak Series.”
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2XO French Oak Bourbon, bottled at 92 proof, is priced at $49.99.
