2XO: TWO TIMES OAK BY DIXON DEDMAN
ICON SERIES LIMITED EDITION KIAWAH BLEND STRAIGHT BOURBON WHISKEY
KENTUCKY, USA
Why Buy: 2XO founder Dixon Dedman subjects his bourbons to not one but two barrel maturations. The result? Bourbons of phenomenal richness, depth, and intensity that have won over critics and collectors with their attention to detail – and that flew off our shelves when we offered them last September. And this, the latest in his Icon Series, is 2x0 at its best. A bourbon to warm you, comfort you, and compel you to better, deeper thoughts.
What They're Saying: 2XO has begun to pile up some serious hardware, with its Tribute Blend landing on Maxim’s Best Bourbons of 2023 and its Phoenix Blend taking home Double Gold at the 2023 San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
One-of-a-Kind Blending: To produce this bourbon, Dixon accessed two proprietary mash bills from Ezra Brooks's KSBW Bourbon. One is a low rye 16-18% rye bourbon mash bill; one, a high rye 35% rye bourbon mash bill. He also double-barreled the high rye bourbon mash bill into new charred oak barrels with both #3 and #4 char levels for a minimum of 6 months. This gave him 4 components to work with, in blending The Icon Series releases: low rye bourbon, high rye bourbon, double-barreled high rye bourbon #3 char, and double-barreled high rye bourbon #4 char. No other major player in the industry is blending different distillates from different producers with different mash bills to create unique blends. And when Dixon double-barrels these proprietary barrels, the result is an intensification and deepening of all those qualities that drew him to these particular bourbons in the first place.
The Story: This is the 4th small-batch blend release in 2XO's ongoing Icon Series. Each blend is different, and bears its own name and symbol, inspired by the story behind its making. Kiawah is founder Dedman's happy place, where he goes with his family and friends when he wants to unwind for a while. These are cherished moments, and a welcome respite from his almost obsessive quest to bring the kind of bourbon that he grew up with and fell in love with — a more personal style, and one that stands in marked contrast to the large producers — to a wider audience. Many things separate 2XO from other spirits producers, but chief among them for us is that Dedman doesn't depend on a team to supply him notes on the all-but-final product before releasing it to the public: just his lonesome. Many spirits producers tout their love of time-honored methods, but this is true throwback — a commitment to riding entirely on one man's personal taste — and one we'd sure love to see more of.
Our Tasting Notes: Like all Dedman's releases, texture is paramount, and this one is a great example of that. It's got a rich, almost viscous, mouthfeel, coating your tongue and telling you that you can relax, you're in good hands. But first, a few words about the nose, a mix of cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, cedarwood, and rose petal that's as evocative as it is seductive. A great first impression, and the bourbon makes good on it. There's an initial sweetness up front, which modulates into a savoriness on the mid-palate, with notes of oak, clove, lemon, and vanilla all announcing themselves, and the finish takes you home on a lingering peppery note.
ABV: 52% (104 proof).
Fun Fact: Dedman might be shaped and informed by the past, but he has his eyes on the present and future, and 2XO is a reflection of his desire to blend innovation and tradition. "The way I see it, there’re too many brands looking backwards for stories and provenance," he told us, in an interview last year. "I get it; I re-created my great, great grandfather’s Kentucky Owl brand. But [with 2XO] I wanted to look forward."
Our Guarantee: We always buy and source directly from the estate, so rest assured: your bourbon will arrive in your hands with pristine provenance. Secure your order today!
*Offer NOT valid in-store. This offer is made pre-arrival, with spirits estimated to be delivered to your preferred store in Summer 2024. All sale prices are the lowest available at Total Wine & More and ONLY valid through Concierge Sales. No further discounts or coupons may be applied. Offer not valid in KS, MI, NC, NM, NY, TN, VA, & WA. This offer will expire on Thursday, March 14, 2024.
