Fox & Oden Double Oaked Straight Bourbon

This was a 2oz sample from an advent calendar I got for Christmas 2024. The initial smell is quite subtle, but you do detect some hints of runts candy and light banana bread. The first sip is great for the proof of around 100. It’s smooth, oily, and has a pleasant long finish. The second sip offers hints of banana, apricot, creme brulee / toffee, and baking spices. The finish is very rewarding as it fades out slowly. This is a fantastic pour, but some might feel for the price it doesn't deliver as much as $100 should. A couple of years ago, this would have been a $65 bottle and been perfect at that price, but due to the bourbon boom / tatercraze, we all have to adjust our expectations.

A richly complex nose with a variety of baking spices, vanilla, and potent whiskey notes. A gentle entry on the palate that softly greets you, but quickly becomes a potent display of intense oakiness. A dry, woody taste dominates the grain, leaving any natural sweetness hidden. The body is moderate, and the finish is exceptionally long. We believe this whiskey is ideal for an Old-Fashioned, Mint Julep, or Gold Rush; essentially any cocktail requiring a touch more sweetness.

Batch 1, bottle 107. The nose is, as expected, dominated by charred oak, with cinnamon, apple, ethanol, toasted caramel, and vanilla. It's sweet and fairly smooth; notes of charred oak, caramel, vanilla, cherry, apple, and cinnamon. The finish is short and charcoal-like. Overall it's good, but not particularly remarkable. After some time breathing, I've decided to rate it higher. I'm detecting increased richness, bright fruit, and oaky caramel complexity. Let it sit for a bit…

BATCH 1 NEAT NOSE - Features notes of caramel, cherries, and vanilla buttercream frosting. PALATE - Light brown sugar, caramel, vanilla, and a subtle oak presence. It's sweet but carries a surprising hint of spice. FINISH - Quite balanced, with a medium length. BUY? - Despite the elevated price, this is easily among the finest and most well-rounded double oak bourbons I've encountered thus far. BUY AGAIN? - The cost is significant, but I could envision repurchasing this bottle.

Tasted neat, courtesy of a share from a friend! I hadn't tried this before and often notice it in stores, wondering about its quality, so let's dive in. The nose is fruity with a hint of char, offering notes of vanilla, caramel, green apples, and fruit cake. The palate is warm and comforting, with notes of pecan pie, brown sugar, oats, subtle vanilla, cherries, and cocoa nibs. Delicious!

I selected this bottle because I enjoy double oaked whiskey. The aroma was mellow with dark sugar and oak. The palate mirrored the aroma, but with a bit more sweetness and a slightly harsher finish. With an ABV of 49.5%, this was an easy drink for me. This is the first Fox and Oden I've tried. Mine was batch #3.