Peerless Double Oak Bourbon Review

By Randall H. Borkus

Rating: B+

Peerless Double Oak Bourbon
(Credit: Randall H. Borkus)

Kentucky Peerless Double Oak Bourbon is a twice-aged bourbon that was inspired by an accident, which required the distillery to transfer the bourbon from one leaky barrel to another barrel to salvage the contents. Mind you, double new oak bourbon predates the start of Peerless by several years, but the accident no doubt inspired them to move in this direction. Initially only released as single barrels because of this incident, the response from bourbon lovers inspired Kentucky Peerless to make it a regular, not-single barrel product.

Double Oak Bourbon is distilled and aged by Kentucky Peerless from a sweet mash, made in small batches, and bottled at barrel proof with non-chill filtration.  As a result, the proof will vary from batch to batch.

I visited the Peerless Distillery this year in October and was lucky enough to purchase a couple of bottles of Double Oak Bourbon.  My bottle today is serial number 150511102 at 108.4 proof (54.2% ABV) with no age statement.  This Bourbon is aged for at least four years in new oak barrels, then it is transferred to another set of new barrels for an undisclosed term until the master distiller decides “it’s deemed ready.” The double-barreling results in a complex flavor profile that reliably brings out richer oak notes that give me the impression the bourbon is much older than it really is and significantly increases the appearance of Peerless Double Oak Bourbon.

The Bourbon
The color resembles a deep Sherried Scotch with a dark chocolate hue.  The initial nose jumps out of my glass with hints of mocha café sprinkled with caramel dust and gives me notice of an inviting warmth to come.   The front palate is tantalizingly warm with toffee notes, baking spice, followed by rich leather, dried tobacco, mocha dust, and a heavy burnt oak dryness.  The mid and back palate is loaded with a weighty dose of dark chocolate infused with oak, burnt raisin bread and more fresh dried leather.  The finish is intensely dry with loads of Carmel laced dark toffee and a satisfying oak spice that leaves me wanting more.

I really enjoyed this bourbon a lot, as after about an hour I noticed at least 8 ounces has just vanished.  It is a great choice when I am in the mood for an oak bomb bourbon to accompany a good maduro cigar while sitting outside on a fall day.

So if you like serious oaked bourbons like you might find in a mature whiskey similar to an Elijah Craig 21, this is a bourbon option for you as the hearty finish just lasts.

The Price
Kentucky Peerless Double Oak Bourbon is selling for $134.00 at the distillery, but in a reverse of expectations, it can be found online for as low as $99.00 a bottle.