Talking Bourbon has had a long, mostly good, relationship with the various Jefferson’s whiskies. While not a huge fan of their standard Bourbon, we are okay with the Very Old Small Batch. While we thought Ocean sounded like a gimmick, it wasn’t bad, and the same for Chef’s Collaboration, which was actually good. One we don’t think they make anymore, called Groth, was their version of finishing in wine barrels, and it also was not bad. Today, we try, get ready for it, Jefferson’s Twin Oak, Custom Barrel, Very Old, Very Rare, Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. Wow. From their website, “Our custom-designed wave barrel creates an innovative and unique environment to finish our fully mature, Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. The proprietary, flash-charred, toasted grooved-staves increase the surface area of the barrel, allowing more bourbon to come in contact with the oak.” This follows the trend of extra aging, or finishing, in some other type of barrel, in this case, their “custom wave barrel.”
Jefferson’s Twin Oak sells for around $85, is 90.2 proof, and comes in the same eloquent-looking, short, rounded-off corked bottles as the rest of the lines. It has been aged for 10 years before the extra aging in the custom barrels; we are not able to find out how long the extra aging is for. The mash bill was unavailable, and we are not quite sure how easy it is to find a bottle.
We assume that this is their Very Old, Very Rare Bourbon aged a little more in toasted barrels, but we are not sure on that. We have generally been a fan of double aging, as long as it is in more oak. Think Woodford Double Oak, Maker’s 46, and others. Here’s to adding another one that we like, hopefully.
NOSE
Matt: Strong butterscotch and oak with some cereal, caramel, brown sugar, and leather coming in close behind. Also getting a slight bit of clove. Ice didn’t change it.
Todd: Smooth scents of vanilla, caramel, butterscotch, corn, and toast. Secondary aromas include honey, toffee, and some kind of nut, maybe pecans. Finally, just a whiff of bananas. Ice opened it up very slightly. I like it.
TASTE
Matt: Maple syrup, brown sugar, oak, cereal, toffee, and leather lead the way. Also pick up fruit and a bit of cinnamon. Great flavors and silky-smooth, taste like naughty candy.
Todd: How is candy naughty? I, too, get the silky smoothness of this juice. Again, the butterscotch and oak are dominant but also getting strong flavors of grain, caramel, and brown sugar. Honey, toffee, toast, and a nuttiness also make an appearance.
FINISH
Matt: Medium with more sweetness.
Todd: Medium with a little bit of fruit and more sweetness.
OVERALL
Matt: Smooth and delightful.
Todd: I really, really liked this stuff.
Nose 4.5 out of 5
Taste 8.5 out of 10
Finish 3.75 out of 5
Total score 16.75 out of 20 barrels.
We were not expecting to like this Bourbon this much. As stated in the opening, we have found, at best, juice from Jefferson’s is good but nothing to get excited about. We are excited to have a little more of this. Smooth, sweet, and oaky, you can’t go wrong, and the price won’t break the bank. About the only thing this whiskey lacks is some spice and a better finish. But who decides to not drink something because the finish was lacking? Not us.
We will keep a bottle of Jefferson’s Twin Oak on our shelves for as long as we can find it, and we think you should as well.