Jim Beam Double Oak Whiskey review

Jim Beam Double Oak Whiskey is a replacement for the discontinued Jim Beam Black. Double Oak has been aged for 4 years in new charred-oak barrels before getting a secondary aging in newly charred American oak barrels.

Launched in 2016, this is a bit more matured version of the Jim Beam White Label, containing its classic sweetness but with addition of spices.

I received this as a gift by Master of Malt while making a big whisky order for our local Finnish whisky community. Nicely done MoM!

Robust bourbon from Kentucky

Double Oak is surprisingly nice. Could I even say it’s a bang for buck bourbon? Definitely a step up from the ordinary Jim Beam. This one has character but also that typical bourbony sweet smoothness.

Tasting Notes

Mash bill:

75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted Barley

ABV: 43%

Colour: Dark amber

Nose: Vanilla and oak, with fruits on the side. The aromas are mellow, much lighter than the palate. Warming spices along with corn notes start to rise from the background.

Taste: Peppers and oak are pushing through the smooth vanilla. Quite nice mix of smoothness and harsh spices. Bit fruity as well.

Finish: New oak hits hard, creating dryness and some fresh and bitter spicy notes. Quite long but one-sided aftertaste.

Balance: Robust dram from Kentucky. Surely better than the original Jim Beam (white label). Needs more complexity though. Yet, pleasant to drink.

Jim Beam Double Oak Scoring

Nose:Taste:Finish:Balance:

Distillery: Jim Beam Region: Clermont, Kentucky, USA Owner: Beam Suntory

Peach Smash recipe with Jim Beam Double Oak bourbon, taken from Master of Malt website:

50ml Jim Beam Double Oak
20ml fresh lemon juice
20ml peach puree or 1/2 a muddled fresh peach
15ml sugar syrup

“Add the ingredients above to a shaker with cubed ice and shake hard for 4 seconds. Strain over crushed ice in a rocks glass and garnish with a sprig of mint and a lemon wedge.”