Seelbach's Private Reserve Double Stacked Maple Syrup Cask Finished Bourbon 750ML

Seelbach's Private Reserve Double Stacked Maple Syrup Cask Finished Bourbon is a 750ml, 111-proof bourbon blend finished in two distinct maple syrup barrel types. What sets this release apart is its "double stacked" construction — two different source bourbons from two states, each finished in a different style of maple cask for varying durations, then blended together for layered complexity.

Quick Facts: ABV: 55.5% (111 Proof)  |  Origin: Kentucky & Indiana, USA  |  Blend of 8-Year & 5-Year 9-Month Bourbon  |  Bottler: Seelbach's (Independent, Kentucky)

Production & Heritage

Seelbach's operates as a Kentucky-based independent bottler, sourcing mature bourbon and applying proprietary finishing techniques rather than distilling in-house. Double Stacked combines an 8-year Kentucky bourbon finished for 14 months in Bissell Farm maple barrels with a 5-year, 9-month Indiana bourbon finished for 3 and 6 months in brûléed maple barrels. The two finishing barrel types — standard maple syrup casks and brûléed maple casks — along with the staggered finishing times, are designed to build distinct layers of maple character rather than a one-dimensional sweetness. Importantly, no maple flavoring is added; the maple influence comes entirely from the barrels that previously held maple syrup, keeping this firmly in the straight bourbon category rather than flavored whiskey territory.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: White pepper and almond lead the nose, followed by vanilla bean and turbinado sugar. As it opens, light baking spice emerges alongside chocolate-covered cherries and a background waft of maple fudge.

Taste: The entry is remarkably dessert-forward — think sticky bun, with molasses, freshly baked bread, and toasted pecans coating the palate. The back palate pivots sharply, introducing a pop of leather and cracked black pepper that cuts through the sweetness and restores balance. At 111 proof, the whiskey carries enough structural backbone to prevent the maple finishing from tipping into cloying territory.

Finish: Medium in length, with the black pepper and residual sweetness fading in tandem. The maple character lingers as a subtle backdrop rather than dominating the close.

How to Drink Double Stacked

Neat with a few drops of water is the recommended starting point — the 111-proof heat opens up significantly with dilution, revealing the maple layers without drowning them. A single large ice cube also works well for those who prefer a slower, cooler sip. For cocktails, consider an Old Fashioned, where the inherent maple sweetness can replace or reduce the sugar cube for a naturally rich version. A Manhattan pairs the bourbon's leather and spice notes against sweet vermouth for a compelling balance. A Whiskey Sour benefits from the molasses and pecan sweetness, which rounds out the citrus without added simple syrup.

Best For

• Bourbon collectors exploring specialty cask finishes beyond standard wine or sherry barrels
• Gifting to a whiskey enthusiast who values limited independent bottlings
• After-dinner sipping alongside dessert as an alternative to port or brandy
• Side-by-side tastings comparing barrel-finished bourbons to standard age-stated releases

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Double Stacked taste like? The dominant profile centers on sticky bun sweetness — molasses, fresh bread, and toasted pecans — balanced by leather and black pepper on the back palate. The maple influence is integrated and subtle rather than syrupy or artificial.

How does Double Stacked compare to ASW Fiddler Encore Maple Finished Bourbon? Both are high-proof, limited-release bourbons finished in authentic maple syrup barrels, but they differ significantly in construction: Double Stacked blends two source bourbons with two maple cask types at 111 proof, while the Fiddler Encore uses a single 7-year wheat-heavy bourbon (51% corn, 45% wheat) finished for 3 months in first-fill maple barrels at 99.8 proof. Double Stacked generally delivers more layered maple complexity due to its dual-barrel, dual-source blending approach.

Is Double Stacked good for sipping neat? Yes — despite its 111 proof, the maple cask finishing adds enough viscosity and sweetness to make it very approachable neat, though a few drops of water help unlock the more nuanced aromas like chocolate cherry and vanilla bean.

Where is Double Stacked made? The bourbon is sourced from two undisclosed distilleries — one in Kentucky (producing the 8-year component) and one in Indiana (producing the 5-year, 9-month component). Seelbach's, the independent bottler, is based in Kentucky and handles the finishing and blending.

What foods pair well with Double Stacked? Pecan pie complements the bourbon's nutty, molasses-rich palate directly. Smoked pork shoulder mirrors its baking spice and sweetness. Sharp aged cheddar provides a savory counterpoint to the maple notes. Dark chocolate (70% cacao or higher) amplifies the chocolate cherry aromas found on the nose. Brioche French toast creates a natural echo of the sticky bun character on the palate.

What sizes does Double Stacked come in? This release is available in the standard 750ml bottle size.

Is Double Stacked worth the price? Double Stacked positions as a limited-release, specialty-finished bourbon from an independent bottler — placing it in the premium tier. The dual-source, dual-barrel finishing process and the 111-proof bottling represent a level of production complexity not commonly found in maple-finished bourbons, which typically rely on a single finishing barrel type.

Why Double Stacked?

The defining feature of this bourbon is its layered construction — two ages, two states, two barrel types, and multiple finishing durations blended into a single release. That approach separates it from simpler maple-finished bourbons that rely on one cask type for a relatively short finishing period. The use of Bissell Farm maple barrels alongside brûléed maple casks creates a spectrum of maple influence, from clean and sap-forward to caramelized and toasty. At 111 proof with no chill filtration mentioned, the whiskey retains full texture and body, letting the barrel finishing speak clearly without dilution masking the results.