Jim Beam Double Oak Twice Barreled Bourbon Whiskey Review
(photos by Outsider)
Generally speaking, when I think of “double oak” bourbons, three come to mind: Old Forester 1910, Woodford Reserve Double Oaked, and Jim Beam Double Oak.
While Old Forester 1910 and Woodford Reserve DO will run you upwards of $50, Jim Beam DO carries the bargain-bin price tag of $20. Beam creates DO by transferring its 4-year-old flagship bourbon (white label) to a second freshly charred American White Oak barrel, where it is aged to taste. Speaking of taste, let’s pour a glass of Jim Beam Double Oak.
At a Glance
- Distillery: James B. Beam Distilling Co.
- Location: Clermont, KY
- Style: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey – Double Barreled
- Age: Not Stated (4+ years)
- Mashbill: 75% corn, 13% rye & 12% malted barley
- Proof: 86
- MSRP: $20
- Website | Insta
Jim Beam Double Oak: What We Say
| Nose | light ethanol, oak, charcoal, caramel, peanut shells |
| Palate | oak, sorghum, peat moss, fennel, cinnamon |
| Finish | medium, oak, sorghum |
| What You Can Expect to Pay | $18-$25 |
| Buy It: Now, Soon, Later, Never | Soon |
| Outsider Rating | 80/100 |
The nose on Jim Beam DO opens with light alcohol, and, you guessed it, oak. And then there’s more oak. DO lives up to its oaky namesake. In fact, it’s got a lump charcoal vibe going on (not those lighter-fluid-infused briquets, but real lump charcoal). A deeper nosedive yields a bit of caramel sweetness, followed by the earthiness of raw peanut shells.
On the palate, bam—it’s oak all day. And then more oak. There’s a bit of sweetness in the form of sorghum (thinner than, say, molasses—and not as sweet). A little chewing brings out the earthiness of the bourbon with a hit of peat moss. It’s not overly peaty like Scotch, but DO strikes me as a great transition bourbon for someone from the Scotch world who is interested in bourbon. Finally, there’s a hint of fennel (very mild licorice) and dried cinnamon.
The medium finish lingers with more oak, and just a touch of the sorghum and cinnamon. All in all, it’s a thin, dry, oaky sip. Enjoyable, for the oak lovers.
What Jim Beam Says About Double Oak
Jim Beam Double Oak is first aged in a newly charred American White Oak barrels. Then, we pour it into another freshly charred white oak barrel to mature for a second time. The added interaction with the oak results in a liquid intense in flavor and smooth in taste.
Recommended Sip
If it’s oak you seek, Jim Beam DO delivers. It sips fine neat. Or, it will make a fantastic smoky Old Fashioned. Jim Beam DO doesn’t have the complexities of Old Forester 1910 (cherry, bananas foster, graham cracker), but it’s only a fraction of the price.