Welcome to another whiskey tasting. Today, we’re delving into the 2XO Kiawah Blend, a Bourbon crafted by blender Dixon Dedman. This release is the fourth installment in the 2XO Icon Series, a collection of limited-time, small-batch blends that each tell a unique story from Dedman’s life. From their website “The Kiawah Blend is a nod to Dixon’s happy place where he goes with family and friends to relax, unwind, and recharge.” Kiawah Island, South Carolina.
2XO Kiawah sells for $99, is 104 proof, is somewhat hard to find, and comes in a tall, classy-looking corked bottle. We could not find an age statement. As to the mash bill, we will let them explain from the site: “The Kiawah Blend is comprised of two proprietary mash bills, a high rye 35% bourbon mash bill, and a moderate rye 18% bourbon mash bill. Dixon double barrels the high rye 35% bourbon mash bill into new charred oak barrels, both #3 and #4 char levels, for 9 months to a year. The double-barreled high rye mash bill makes up 60% of The Kiawah Blend, and that additional oak interaction builds the sweetness to balance out the spice from the rye in the mash bills.” Got all that?
We have never had anything from 2XO, which stands for, from what we understand, more oak exposure. So, we are essentially drinking a double oak, which can be a good thing. Extra aging in either another oak barrel, in used barrels of a different liquor, or putting toasted staves in the barrel has been a trend for a while now. For the most part we have liked them. Well, let’s see if 2XO Kiawah Blend takes us to a happy place.
NOSE
Frank: Sweet with strong a caramel aroma upfront. Past that I am getting some oak, vanilla, and some nuttiness. Ice gives it even more sweetness.
Todd: Smooth and sweet with what I can only describe as a classy scent. Caramel and grain are the most prominent, with oak, vanilla, leather, toast, and a slight bit of plum coming in behind. Ice added butterscotch and more caramel.
Matt: A toasty, nutty, burnt sugar type of aroma with hints of red apple and leather. Also, getting slight whiffs of oak and toffee. Ice brings out vanilla and maple syrup.
TASTE
Frank: Pre-ice, it is somewhat unremarkable, with a bit of oak and vanilla. Post-ice, it is smooth and buttery, with nuts, toffee, leather, and earthiness.
Todd: A little too hot neat. not picking up much besides some sweetness. A lot better with some ice/water. Now tasting oak, fruit, caramel, and some rye.
Matt: A touch hot neat but getting rye, pepper, and toffee. Ice didn’t change it much for me besides taking the heat down a bit.
FINISH
Frank: Medium with some black pepper, and leaves me with a somewhat oily mouth feel.
Todd: Long, spicy, and hot.
Matt: Medium long, sweet and savory. Think vanilla with pepper.
OVERALL
Frank: A decent drink with some water or ice but a little high priced for what you are getting.
Todd: Not a bad drink, but not worth the price.
Matt: The taste didn’t live up to the expectations from the excellent nose.
Nose 4.5 out of 5
Taste 7 out of 10
Finish 3.25 out of 5
Total score 14.75 out of 20 barrels.
While not a bad drink, Kiawah Blend is not overly complex, and at that price, it should be. Also, we would really like to know the age, it comes off like it is not very old given its hotness and lack of complexity. We also like to know the age of pretty much any whiskey that sells for over $60 or $70. We feel like the distillery owes to the consumer, like hey, this is one of the reasons we are charging this price.
2XO Kiawah Blend does have a very good nose which probably gave us too high of an expectation for the taste. Sadly, the taste did not deliver and in the end, that is why we drink the stuff. So, we did not go to our happy place. At least not yet, once we will mix a cocktail, or two, and have a cigar, we will be really close.