Bib & Tucker Double Char 6 Year Bourbon 750ML

Bib & Tucker Double Char 6 Year Bourbon 750ML is a 44% ABV (88 proof) Tennessee-distilled bourbon finished in a second heavily charred barrel for added smoke and depth. The core Bib & Tucker 6-Year-Old expression earned 93 points from Whisky Advocate and ranked #14 among the publication's Top 20 Whiskies of 2021, establishing the brand as a serious small-batch contender — and the Double Char variant pushes that foundation further with an additional layer of toasted complexity.

Quick Facts: ABV: 44% (88 Proof)  |  Origin: Tennessee, USA  |  Age: 6 Years  |  Distillery: Undisclosed Tennessee distillery (sourced)  |  Size: 750ml

Production & Heritage

Bib & Tucker is a sourced Tennessee whiskey brand whose liquid undergoes the Lincoln County process — charcoal-filtered through sugar maple before entering the barrel. The mashbill is reported at approximately 70% corn, 26% rye, and 4% malted barley, giving it a grain-forward backbone with noticeable rye spice. What separates the Double Char expression from the standard 6-Year is its finishing step: after a full six years of maturation in charred new American oak, the bourbon spends an additional five months in a second new barrel that has been heavily charred and smoked. That second charring amplifies oak-driven flavors and introduces a controlled smokiness uncommon in straight bourbon.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: A gentle wave of white smoke opens the nose, followed quickly by toasted oak and dulce de leche. Underneath, cinnamon bark, whole clove, and a faint streak of mint and cherry add aromatic complexity.

Taste: The entry is sweet and full — vanilla and sugar maple arrive first, wrapped in a light veil of smoke. At mid-palate, vibrant cinnamon and sweet corn emerge alongside sharp oak tannins from the double-charred finish. The rye component adds a peppery brightness that keeps the sweetness in check.

Finish: Medium to long, with lingering toasted oak, white smoke, and a trailing vanilla sweetness. The second char's influence is most apparent here, leaving a dry, gently smoky impression that fades gradually.

How to Drink Double Char

The smoky oak profile rewards neat sipping at room temperature; a few drops of water open up the dulce de leche and cinnamon notes without diminishing the smoke. On the rocks, the bourbon stays assertive and well-structured. For cocktails, the Double Char's smoky character makes it a natural fit in an Old Fashioned, where the char-driven oak stands up beautifully to bitters and a sugar cube. A Boulevardier benefits from the bourbon's vanilla sweetness cutting through Campari's bitterness. It also brings unexpected depth to a Whiskey Sour, with the smoke adding a savory counterpoint to fresh citrus.

Best For

• Bourbon drinkers exploring smoke-forward expressions without crossing into scotch territory
• Gifting a whiskey enthusiast who appreciates unique barrel-finishing techniques
• Building a home bar lineup focused on innovative American whiskey
• After-dinner sipping alongside dessert or a cigar

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Bib & Tucker Double Char taste like? It leads with vanilla and sugar maple layered under a controlled white smoke character, followed by cinnamon spice and toasted oak. The double-charred barrel finish gives it a distinctly smoky quality that separates it from typical bourbons.

How does Double Char compare to George Dickel Barrel Select? Both are Tennessee whiskeys using the Lincoln County charcoal filtration process and share a corn-forward sweetness, but Double Char's additional five-month finish in a second heavily charred barrel introduces a smoky depth and more pronounced oak influence that Dickel Barrel Select does not have.

Is Double Char good for sipping neat? Yes — at 88 proof it sits in a comfortable range for neat drinking, and the extended barrel finishing gives it enough complexity and a long enough finish to hold attention on its own.

Where is Bib & Tucker Double Char made? The bourbon is distilled in Tennessee at an undisclosed distillery, widely rumored among whiskey commentators to be George Dickel's Cascade Hollow operation in Tullahoma, Tennessee. It is then finished and bottled under the Bib & Tucker brand.

What foods pair well with Double Char? Smoked brisket or pulled pork mirrors the bourbon's smoky character. Pecan pie and crème brûlée echo its dulce de leche and vanilla notes. Sharp aged cheddar provides a savory contrast, while dark chocolate with sea salt highlights the oak and cinnamon spice.

What sizes does Double Char come in? The standard release is the 750ml bottle. Availability of other sizes may vary by market.

Is Double Char worth the price? Bib & Tucker Double Char positions as a premium bourbon with a distinctive secondary barrel finish, placing it above entry-level options but within reach for enthusiasts seeking unique production techniques. The six-year age statement and labor-intensive double-charring process justify its premium tier pricing relative to standard Tennessee whiskeys.

Why Double Char?

The defining feature here is the secondary maturation in a heavily charred and smoked new oak barrel — a step that goes beyond the single-barrel charring nearly every other bourbon relies on. That five-month finishing window adds a measured smokiness without overwhelming the six years of primary aging underneath. It draws from a brand whose core expression earned top-20 recognition from Whisky Advocate, yet stands on its own as a more assertive, oak-forward sibling. For drinkers who want American whiskey with a smoky edge but aren't ready to reach for an Islay scotch, Double Char fills a narrow and compelling gap in the category.