Jim Beam Double Oak starts life as Jim Beam white. After selecting and dumping a bunch of 4-year-old barrels they take that bourbon and put it back into brand new charred oak barrels for a second round of aging. The second round of aging has no defined time requirement / amount and lasts until it tastes right.
I’m not kidding, the release for the Jim Beam Double Oak states “…and aged for a second time to taste”. It would be great to get more detail about it, but one thing is for sure – It tastes quite a bit better than the Jim Beam White. The extra time-in-oak makes it deeper, more complex and gives it a stronger oak backbone that gets it closer to some of their small batch releases. I just wish they would have released it at 46% and non-chill filtered to give it a bit more oomph.
Jim Beam Double Oak Info
Region: Kentucky, USA
Distiller: Jim Beam
Mashbill: 77% Corn, 13% Rye, 10% Malted barley
Cask: New-Charred Oak x2
Age: NAS (4+ years)
ABV: 43%
Price: $40*
Jim Beam Double Oak Review
EYE
Ruddy caramel
NOSE
Oak, caramel, vanilla, toasted corn, toffee, and dark fruit with some light bits of butterscotch, cinnamon and leather trailing on through. The aroma is definitely the best part of this whiskey.
PALATE
Oak, caramel, dry corn, vanilla, dark fruit, toffee and light bits of maple and a slight bit of yeastiness. The palate is a bit muted compared to the aroma, but it’s still wonderfully drinkable.
FINISH
Long strings of caramel, oak, spice, leather and frosting slip on by.
BALANCE, BODY & FEEL
The Jim Beam Double Oak has a decent sense of balance, medium body and a slick round feel.
OVERALL
The most amazing part of the Jim Beam Double Oak is the aroma. The second I opened it I was transported back to the Jim Beam a rickhouse with the aroma of sweet bourbon and earthy oak that came rolling out. The palate wasn’t quite as dense and complex as the aroma. I think they could have upped that richness on the palate by releasing this at least at 46% and NCF; 50% would have been even better. Regardless, the Jim Beam Double Oak is still a nice bourbon and I’ve enjoyed sipping on it ever since the bottle arrived.
SCORE: 86/100 (B)
*Disclosure: This Jim Beam Double Oak was graciously sent to me by the company for the purposes of this review. The views, opinions, and tasting notes are 100% my own.
