Veteran Bourbon Review: 13th Colony Double Oaked Bourbon

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History – This is a huge limited release and I can not wait for the next release. “Double Oaked Bourbon is bottled at cask strength and is uniquely matured in separate, charred oak barrels to extract additional soft, sweet oak character. Georgia’s oldest active distillery since Prohibition opened its doors in 2009. They are known as the 13th colony distillery. Initially, a group of friends would make it for their friends and family on special occasions. Later, it evolved into what it is today. Graham Arthur is the Master Distiller for the company. This has been his passion for over 13 years and counting. He desired a different way to serve as well, and he did so by enlisting in the U.S. Coast Guard. At Thirteenth Colony we believe our customers should be treated like friends. With that in mind, we avoid the pricey celebrity endorsements, gigantic marketing budgets, and over-the-top packaging of our products that only add to the cost, not the quality.”-13th Colony

Value – This sample was given in collaboration for a review. Based on the $80 price I have seen others purchase this bottle for, I feel that is a little high.

Appearance – Still one of my all time favorite bottle designs! It’s exactly like the southern bourbon except of course the label is different. The bourbon is very dark, almost dark mahogany or molasses.

Nose – Rich oak, maple, and caramel dominate the nose, followed by notes of maple syrup and/or honey with low heat, which I did not expect at 135-proof. I’m quite impressed with it; it keeps you going back for another draw.

Palate – This high-proof smacks you hard on the first sip. After a few sips, it becomes easier, there’s some maple and caramel, with a grassy floral note. The heat lingers throughout the palate, which is to be anticipated at this proof, but it isn’t as harsh as you might imagine.

Finish – The finish retains the strong heat, however, it slowly begins to fade, leaving a very warm mouthfeel. You could feel a little numb depending on how long you let it sit in your mouth before letting it down the hatch. The rest is a dominant maple wood followed by caramel, and floral.

Summary – In summary, this double oaked bourbon delivers a stout punch from the palate that you don’t get from the nose, so it kind of catches you off guard. It is heavy in oak and maple throughout the entire review leaving for good flavor and a full mouthfeel.

“Grateful for the opportunity to provide this review. This has plenty of spunk and is not for someone that does not dabble in the hot arts of high bourbon proofs. I really enjoyed this review, I feel it is a definite step above the Southern Bourbon.“

–Eric Watkins

Uniqueness- 1-10 – 10

Appearance- 1-10 – 9

Nose- 1-20 – 17

Palate- 1-20 – 14

Finish- 1-20 – 16

Value- 1-20 – 12