Unlike the other “double-barrel” whiskeys reviewed recently, this one isn’t finished in another barrel or include the use of different barrel types; the Lux Row Double Barrel Bourbon 12 Years is a blend of two barrels. Barrels 5154523 and 5154524 to be precise.
Selected by Lux Row’s distiller/blender, John Rempe, the name could have easily also been small-batch, or very small batch. But they chose Double Barrel which at first glance is a tad confusing given how that same term is typically meant to denote a whiskey that’s been re-barreled.
Like small-batch, there is no technical definition for the double-barrel term so it can mean whatever people want it to mean. Ah, the confusing beauty of the modern whiskey world. But words are words and whiskey is whiskey and the later is what we’re focusing on in this bourbon review so let’s get to it.
Lux Row Double Barrel Bourbon 12 Years Review: Details and Tasting Notes
The limited-release ryed bourbon was crafted as a thank you to customers for supporting Lux Row Distillers during its first year in business. “Even the proof, 118.4, commemorates the distillery’s grand opening in April 2018,” says John Rempe, head distiller and master blender for Lux Row Distillers.
Details (price, mash bill, cask type, ABV, etc.)
Region: Kentucky, USA
Distiller: Unknown (Heaven Hill)
Bottler: Lux Row
Mash Bill: At least 51% Corn + Rye + Malted Barley
Cask: New Charred Oak
Age: 12 Years
ABV: 59.2%
Cask Strength | Non-Chill Filtered | Natural Color
Price: $150*
Tasting Notes
EYE
Ruddy caramel
NOSE
Oak, caramel, dark fruit, baking spice, cocoa, vanilla, citrus and roasted nuts.
PALATE
Oak, cherry heavy dark fruit, spice, nuts, leather, caramel and a bit herbal, cocoa and citrus.
FINISH
Long -> Oak, char, chalk, cocoa and dark fruit.
BALANCE, BODY & FEEL
Great sense of balance, full body and an oily feel.
Lux Row Double Barrel Bourbon 12 Years Review: Overall and Score
This… this is nice. The Aroma is about as classic as they come but in a rich and heavy way; Palate rolls through similarly but with a larger herbal and spice punch; Finish is a dark and fruity dream.
Warm and rich, Lux Row Double Barrel Bourbon 12 Years is just an out-and-out good bourbon. Superbly balanced with a big oaky core and a complex profile of spices and sweets floating around it. This is the kind of bourbon I’d drink every day if I could.
SCORE: 4.5/5
*Disclosure: This bourbon sample was graciously sent to me by the company for the purposes of this review. The views, opinions, and tasting notes are 100% my own.
Lux Row Double Barrel Bourbon 12 Years $150
Overall
4.5- Nose (4.5)
- Palate (4.5)
- Finish (4.5)
- BBF (4.5)
User Review
0 (0 votes) Comments Rating 0 (0 reviews)Lux Row Double Barrel Bourbon 12 Years Review Summary
A deep, rich bourbon with lots to offer across the senses. If I were in Kentucky I’d be tempted to drive to Lux Row and pick one up.
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