2XO The Innkeepers Blend

This is my fourth serving in a Glencairn glass, neat. The bottle has been open for about a week and a half. Nose - Subtle, it has improved as it has sat. The primary notes I detect are vanilla, butterscotch, and smokiness/barrel char. There's a hint of baking spice and a touch of citrus. Palate - This has been an experience. Sweet, savory, and spicy. I imagine this will taste hotter than 104 proof to many. It starts sweet with vanilla, not much butterscotch but more like crème brûlée with marshmallow, cherry cola, and citrus. At times, I even get hints of chocolate and nuttiness. On my second pour, I even detected a sweet BBQ flavor. There are some subtle earthy notes, not unpleasant or overwhelming, but present. The mid-palate becomes a spice explosion, genuinely peppery, with cinnamon and a hint of anise. After about the fourth sip, the spiciness mellows slightly. Finish - Moderate to long. This hits several flavor notes. I definitely pick up on the high rye, with citrus and mint, leather, and a sweeter oak, while pepper still lingers. My preference is for a bourbon that is complex and still tastes good. Each serving of this 2XO has been unique and even changes as you drink it. I'm unsure if this will appeal to all bourbon drinkers, but I personally find this bottle to be fantastic. I love the spice and the interplay between sweet and spicy. The potential drawback might be the price; it's an unaged statement from undisclosed sources, though we know they're from Kentucky. One is a high rye bourbon, the other a low rye. Usually, with these blends, I have a good guess, but this one is a bit of a puzzle. For the high rye bourbon, I was leaning towards Four Roses, and any time I get nuttiness, I think Heaven Hill or Jim Beam. I also tried something from Upstart, IJW, which had a bit of nuttiness and spice. For the age range, I'd estimate it's probably between 6-10 years old, including the second barreling. I would absolutely purchase this again, and likely will.

Served in a Glencairn glass after sitting for 15 minutes. It's a medium amber color. The aroma has toffee and caramel, maybe some marshmallow; it's sweet. The taste brings strong clove and baking spice; it's very spicy. The heat goes away fast, though some remains for a while. A few drops of water calm the spice and bring back some of the aromas. Overall, it gets a 7/10. It might be good on ice, but the cost makes that hard to justify. I was given a sample.

An intense woody aroma surrounds the dark, aromatic nose. On the palate, the flavors are tightly integrated with a nearly chewy texture. Vibrant baking spices enliven the experience with many bright, high notes. The body is medium-heavy, with substantial wood presence in the back of the mouth. The finish is quite long, concluding with a cinnamon toast essence. Truly enjoyable.

I find it hard to believe I'm tasting the same whiskey as another reviewer. I detect significant cinnamon throughout. A single dram is best enjoyed at a time. It has a flavor profile similar to another bourbon, but with more cinnamon and less polish.

Lots of vanilla sweetness, making it the main flavor. It has a nice body and the taste stays around for a bit. A little harsh, but expected at that alcohol content.

The high rye mash bill makes it spicy. It's a solid pour, but it's my least favorite in the lineup.