Mild almond aroma. Drying palate opens with concentrated creamy vanilla flavor. Adding water coaxes some baking spice and allspice forward. Finishes with hints of hazelnut and oak, nutmeg hint.
94 points, Kara Newman, Wine Enthusiast (Oct 2024)
After building Kentucky Owl into a blue-chip, cult bourbon phenomenon, visionary innovator and blender extraordinaire Dixon Dedman has done it again with 2XO. As the name implies, the range features a distinctive double oak treatment (“two times oak” or 2XO in abbreviated form) and high-rye mashbills that give these artfully blended whiskeys their own signature profiles. The American Oak is the first in the series, and it’s an auspicious debut. As one would expect, oak is the centerpiece, but only in the best way. A light amber color leads to a nose that’s … well … oaky at first and slightly medicinal, an obvious indicator of the rye component. Soon enough, it takes a turn towards toffee, toasted marshmallow, merengue, caramel, cooked apple, and burnt orange peel. The palate is expertly balanced with the toffee and caramel components playing against fresh sawdust, vanilla, sarsaparilla, and hints of black cherry cola. Not at all hot or aggressive, the texture is a neat drinker’s dream, fanning out and gaining weight before tightening back up with a firm but gentle tannic grip on a minty finish (that rye again). Try it neat, with a cube, or in a classic cocktail – any way you take it, this is a solid performer that more than delivers at an affordable price.
92 points, Andrew Kitz, B-21 Spirits Buyer (Dec 2024)
Top Quality Store
