The Last Call

Hard Truth Double Oaked Bourbon Whiskey Review.       Hard Truth Distilling has quickly become one of Indiana’s breakout names, known first for its exceptional sweet mash ryes and now steadily expanding its bourbon lineup. When I first heard about their new Double Oak release, I knew I had to track down a bottle. Thankfully, a family member visiting the distillery snagged one for me. I’ve loved what Hard Truth has done in the past, and the idea of them giving their sweet mash bourbon the double oak treatment instantly caught my attention.       True to their transparent approach, this is a barrel-proof, small-batch release, just 28 barrels total, and for now a distillery exclusive. Hard Truth employs a sweet mash process, meaning they start each fermentation fresh instead of using remnants from the previous batch like in a sour mash. The result tends to be a brighter, more vibrant flavor profile. Now up to this point their sweet mash bourbon for m...

 2XO White Oak Finished Rye Whiskey Review.      From the mind of Dixon Dedman, known for his work with Kentucky Owl, 2XO has made quite an impression on the whiskey scene. Their early Phoenix Blend set a strong foundation, and Dedman’s reputation as a blender gave fans a reason to be excited. But as the brand expanded with a variety of limited releases and oak experiments, I found myself a bit overwhelmed by the constant flow of black and gold bottles. So, when 2XO announced their first rye, the White Oak Rye, I was intrigued enough to give them another shot. After all, double-oaked rye is still a rarity in today’s market. For the full video review visit the link here:  https://youtu.be/Lq3qNIS8Jzo . Age Statement: N/A. ABV: 46%. Mash bill: 95% Rye, 5% malted barley. (Chained white oak finished). Area of Distillation: Kentucky. Appearance: Golden hue. On the nose:      The aroma is far more delicate than expected. Herbal and medicinal notes min...

 West Fork Whsky Co. Single Barrel Double Oaked Whiskey Review.      West Fork Whiskey Company has been steadily growing its reputation out of Westfield, Indiana, distilling and aging whiskey that speaks to both craft authenticity and bold flavor. Their double oaked bourbons have always had my attention, and when the r/bourbon community announced a barrel pick near the end of 2024, I knew it was going to be something special. Not only did they select a single barrel cask strength expression, but they chose to showcase it in double oak form, a profile I’m already partial to.           West Fork continues to handle all their own distilling, aging, and bottling under their primary label, while sourcing some whiskey under their Old Hammer line. This selection is all West Fork, presented at barrel proof and untouched beyond the double oaking. While there is no listed mash bill, if memory serves me correctly, I believe this was their High Rye ...

 Journeyman Distillery Double Oaked Rye Whiskey Review.     J ourneyman Distillery has long been a staple of me when it comes to craft spirits. With roots in Three Oaks, Michigan, and a newer expansion into Valparaiso, Indiana, they have been an easy go to for pours and supporting local. Many of their spirits are grain-to-glass, certified organic and kosher (though curiously not labeled as such here), I look to themfor transparency and character. That’s part of what makes this Double Oaked Rye Whiskey release so intriguing, and perhaps, a bit perplexing.            This bottle marks Journeyman’s first foray into double oaking a rye, and I believe their highest-rye content whiskey to date. It’s a distillery-exclusive release currently and composed of a blend of whiskies ranging from 3.5 to 8.5 years old. However, inconsistent labeling, a baffling mash bill, and lack of clarity on the finishing process leave more questions than answers. Al...

Dark Arts Double Oaked 2 Barrel Blend Bourbon Whiskey Review.      Sometimes a bottle calls to you without rhyme or reason, and this was one of those moments. Dark Arts Whiskey House had just dropped a new Seelbachs pick: a double-oaked, two-barrel blend of well-aged MGP bourbon. Drink. Click. Order placed. Truth be told, I have been loving nearly everything I sampled from Dark Arts in 2024, I figured it was a safe bet. What followed was a bit of a rollercoaster.       This bottle brings together two sourced Indiana bourbons, one aged 11 years and the other 10. The final blend underwent a secondary maturation for double-oaking, and it was bottled at cask strength, uncut and unfiltered. The concept is promising: a rich, layered bourbon leaning heavily into oak and spice, with a base spirit old enough to carry some weight. On paper, it checks the boxes. But it’s always what’s in the glass that counts. For the full video review visit the link here:...

 High Bank Distillery Whiskey War Double Oaked Whiskey Review.      High Bank has been on my radar for a while, especially since I’ve frequently passed by their bottles during trips to Ohio. Today, I decided it was time to take the plunge and pick up two of their offerings; the Barrel Proof and the Double Oaked. Personally I am a sucker for double oaked, even ones that pull a slighty higher price point.       Now this is a blend of straight whiskeys, NOT a bourbon, so keep that in mind during this review. Speaking of a few things to keep in mind...there’s no age statement on the bottle. The distillery’s website mentions a minimum of five years, so we can reasonably assume that this is a blend of whiskey aged for at least that long.  However, I do wish this was on the bottle. Also, there is not a state of distillation or sourcing location noted....nor mash bill(s) being used. While none of this is necessary for the review, I always commend tra...

 Proof and Wood Tumblin' Dice Single Barrel Double Oaked Bourbon.      I received this spirit as a review sample from Proof and Wood,  linked here . It is important to clarify this did not impact the ratings of this review.      Proof and Wood has always been a brand I respect because they’re straight with people. They are out sourcing their whiskey, but they’re upfront about where the whiskey comes from, the mash bills, the finishing; none of that smoke-and-mirrors marketing you see from some others. And to top it off, they usually keep the bottles pretty wallet-friendly, which in today’s bourbon market is something worth calling out. Double oaked whiskeys are one of my sweet spots, they tend to layer on that extra depth of sweetness and oak that just works for me. So this pour had my attention from the start.           Now, the TTB has the final say when it comes to labeling, and officially this bourbon carries a 4-...