Fox & Oden Double Oaked Straight Bourbon 750ML

Fox & Oden Double Oaked Straight Bourbon 750ML is a 99-proof (49.5% ABV) blend of 8- and 15-year-old bourbons finished in a second set of newly charred oak barrels. Rated 94 points by Whisky Advocate and awarded a Double Gold Medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, this release stands as one of the more accomplished double-oaked bourbons on the market — distinguished by the maturity of its component whiskeys and a richly layered oak profile.

Quick Facts: ABV: 49.5% (99 Proof)  |  Origin: Lawrenceburg, Indiana, USA  |  Blend of 8- & 15-Year-Old Bourbons  |  Distillery: MGP Ingredients

Production & Heritage

Fox & Oden sources its bourbon from MGP Ingredients in Lawrenceburg, Indiana — one of the most prolific and respected contract distilleries in American whiskey. This expression blends two distinct high-rye bourbon mashbills: one at 21% rye and another at 36% rye, with the component whiskeys aged between 8 and 15 years. That age range is notably older than what most brands source from MGP, lending significant depth before the liquid ever touches its second barrel. The double-oaking process transfers the blended bourbon into a fresh set of newly charred American oak barrels, amplifying vanilla, caramel, and toasted wood characteristics while adding a layer of tannic structure.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with rich cocoa and dark caramel before revealing deeper layers of leather, brown sugar, and dried red fruit. A subtle herbal rye spice and charred oak sit underneath, adding complexity without overwhelming the sweeter top notes.

Taste: The entry is deceptively light, then quickly builds into an intense wave of caramel, dark chocolate, and pipe tobacco across the mid-palate. Baking spices — particularly cinnamon — weave through alongside molasses, black cherry, and old oak. The 36% rye mashbill component contributes a dry, peppery backbone that prevents the sweetness from cloying.

Finish: Long and firmly tannic, with lingering char, leather, and toasted wood that gradually resolve into brown sugar and a faint herbal bitterness. The oak presence is assertive but earned, reflecting the maturity of the base whiskeys rather than aggressive secondary barrel extraction.

How to Drink Fox & Oden Double Oaked

Neat or with a few drops of water is the ideal serve — the 99-proof strength opens up beautifully with slight dilution, revealing more of the red fruit and chocolate nuances. A single large ice cube also works well, tempering the tannins while preserving the rich core.

• Old Fashioned: The intense caramel and baking spice profile creates a deeply layered Old Fashioned with minimal need for added sweetener.
• Boulevardier: The assertive oak and dark fruit stand up to Campari and sweet vermouth without disappearing into the mix.
• Manhattan: The high-rye mashbill blend gives this bourbon enough spice and structure to anchor a Manhattan with authority.

Best For

• Bourbon enthusiasts exploring well-aged MGP-sourced expressions
• Gifting someone who appreciates oak-forward, higher-proof whiskey
• Side-by-side tastings comparing double-oaked bourbon styles
• After-dinner sipping alongside dark chocolate or cigars

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Fox & Oden Double Oaked taste like? It delivers intense caramel, dark chocolate, and pipe tobacco alongside assertive oak tannins, baking spices, and black cherry, with a long, woody finish that reflects its 8- to 15-year-old bourbon components.

How does Fox & Oden Double Oaked compare to Woodford Reserve Double Oaked? Woodford Reserve Double Oaked uses younger bourbon (no age statement) from its own Brown-Forman distillery at a lower 90.4 proof, producing a softer, sweeter profile. Fox & Oden leans more tannic and oak-forward, with significantly older MGP-sourced whiskey and higher proof delivering greater intensity and complexity.

Is Fox & Oden Double Oaked good for sipping neat? Yes — at 99 proof it carries enough weight to sip neat without harsh heat, and the depth from its aged components rewards slow, attentive drinking, especially with a few drops of water to unlock subtler notes.

Where is Fox & Oden Double Oaked made? The bourbon is distilled at MGP Ingredients in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, a facility that has produced whiskey since the 1840s and is one of the largest bourbon and rye distilleries in the United States.

What foods pair well with Fox & Oden Double Oaked? Dark chocolate truffles complement the cocoa and caramel notes. Smoked brisket matches the char and leather character. Pecan pie echoes the brown sugar and toasted oak. Aged cheddar contrasts the sweetness with savory sharpness. Crème brûlée mirrors the caramelized sugar and vanilla tones.

What sizes does Fox & Oden Double Oaked come in? The standard release is available in a 750ml bottle.

Is Fox & Oden Double Oaked worth the price? It positions as a premium bourbon expression, and the use of well-aged 8- to 15-year-old MGP stock combined with a 94-point Whisky Advocate rating and SFWSC Double Gold places it firmly among the top contenders in the double-oaked category at its price tier.

Why Fox & Oden Double Oaked?

What separates this bourbon from the crowded double-oaked field is the age and quality of its base whiskeys. While most double-oaked expressions rely on younger bourbon — often under six years old — to absorb the secondary barrel's influence, Fox & Oden starts with an 8- and 15-year blend that already carries significant maturity and depth. The dual high-rye mashbills at 21% and 36% rye add structural complexity that prevents the double-oaking from producing a one-dimensional sugar bomb. A 94-point score from Whisky Advocate and a Double Gold Medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition confirm that the execution matches the ambition, making this one of the more compelling oak-driven bourbons available today.