Welcome back to DadDimes on the Rocks!
Here’s the DadDimes style review of 2XO (“Two Times Oak”) by Dixon Dedman:
🎯 The Concept & Backstory
2XO stands for “Two Times Oak”—a blending/finishing concept where oak is added twice (or the spirit is re-exposed to fresh oak) without fully rebarreling. The whiskey never truly leaves its original barrel—instead, charred oak blocks or “chains” are inserted to increase oak contact.
The bourbon is sourced (not made entirely in-house). The blend for 2XO’s core expression combines at least two distinct bourbon mash bills: one with a high rye (≈ 35%) character, and another more moderate rye (≈ 16–18%) mash bill.
The brand is ambitious, with multiple small batches (Icon Series, Oak Series, etc.) planned under the 2XO umbrella.
Price points vary—premium releases (~$100) for limited batches, and more “everyday” versions intended at lower MSRPs.
🥃 Tasting Notes & Impressions
Nose
- The aroma often starts with oak and char pretty strong—charred wood, toasted oak, and barrel funk.
- Underneath, there are sweeter notes: vanilla, caramel, mild chocolate, red fruit, citrus zest, and sometimes floral or herbal touches.
- Some reviews note a medicinal undertone or “mossy” edge along with oak.
Palate
- A mix of dark and light fruits—plum, cherry, berries—even orange or grapefruit in certain batches.
- Sweetness from caramel, chocolate, toffee; oak tannin and leather or barrel char push through.
- In some batches it can feel hot or aggressive—some pepper spice or astringency glimpses, especially early sips.
- Mouthfeel tends to be somewhat oily and medium to full, but not ultra-dense.
Finish
- The finish carries oak, lingering spices (cinnamon, pepper), and a sweetness that morphs into more char, dark chocolate, and sometimes tobacco or cedar.
- It can fade a bit faster than expected for a “double oak” concept; some batches show a drop in complexity later in the finish.
👍 Strengths & ⚠️ Caveats
Strengths:
- A bold experiment in oak finishing that stands out—there is no “typical” 2XO pour.
- In many batches, you’ll find flavors you might not expect—dark fruit, complex oak, interplay of char & sweetness.
- For fans who enjoy “big oak” bourbons or finishing techniques, it’s an interesting portfolio piece.
Caveats / Critiques:
- Because of its strong oak influence, some batches can feel over-oaked, overshadowing subtler flavors.
- In certain releases, the finish and mid-palate can feel disjointed or diminished—the oak may dominate more than integration.
- At premium prices (e.g. ~$100), expectations are high—some drinkers feel certain batches don’t fully deliver in complexity or balance.
- Variation between batches is real—some 2XO expressions (e.g. “American Oak”) are more approachable, others more aggressive; not all taste equally refined.
🎯 Who It’s For
- Those who enjoy oak-forward or char-forward bourbons and don’t mind robust wood intensity.
- Bourbon drinkers curious about finishing methods—2XO offers something different from standard aging.
- Collectors and enthusiasts tracking new craft or boutique labels who like to compare batches.
- Less ideal for drinkers seeking soft, subtle bourbons or delicate fruit-forward profiles without oak aggression.
⭐ Final Verdict (DadDimes Style)
2XO by Dixon Dedman is a daring, oak-heavy experiment that succeeds more often than not in delivering a memorable whiskey. It has flaws—some finishes feel uneven, oak can dominate—but it also delivers bursts of character and boldness you don’t often see, especially in sourced blends. I’d give it about 3.8 / 5.
If you see a 2XO bottle in your liquor shop, it’s worth grabbing one. But sip carefully. Let it breathe. Add a drop of water to open it up. It’s not for everyone—but for those who enjoy riding the wood edge, it can be fun, challenging, and unexpected.
That’s the review for 2XO “Two Times Oak”. Until next time, may your pours surprise you—and your bar cart evolve. Cheers! 🥃
