George Dickel 8 Year Bourbon 750ML

George Dickel 8 Year Bourbon 750ML is an 8-year-aged Tennessee bourbon bottled at 45% ABV (90 proof) in a 750ml bottle. It earned 93 points from Whisky Advocate and landed at #5 on the publication's Top 20 Whiskies of 2021 — a remarkable showing for a bourbon at this price tier.

Quick Facts: ABV: 45% (90 proof)  |  Origin: Tullahoma, Tennessee, USA  |  Age: 8 Years  |  Distillery: Cascade Hollow Distilling Co.

Production & Heritage

Cascade Hollow Distilling Co. in Tullahoma, Tennessee produces this bourbon from a mashbill of 84% corn, 8% rye, and 8% malted barley. What distinguishes it from standard bourbon production is George Dickel's signature chill-filtered charcoal mellowing process: before passing through sugar maple charcoal, the whiskey is chilled to approximately 40°F — a proprietary variation on the Lincoln County Process that the distillery credits for a notably smooth character. The liquid then rests for a full eight years in new charred oak barrels, developing considerable depth for a straight bourbon at this age statement.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with caramel corn and maple sugar before giving way to toasted pecans, butterscotch candies, and cinnamon graham cracker. A layer of cherry tart sweetness develops underneath, along with traces of burnt brown sugar.

Taste: The entry is soft and sweet, led by vanilla and almond toffee. At mid-palate, bright cherry and orange notes emerge alongside mixed berries, nougat, and honey. Spearmint adds an unexpected cooling lift that keeps the sweetness in check.

Finish: The finish is long and assertive, with baking spice, leather, and espresso lingering well after the last sip. That final kick of spice is what makes Dickel 8 Year memorable — it leaves a warm, complex impression rather than fading quietly.

How to Drink Dickel 8 Year

Neat or with a single ice cube is the best way to appreciate the full range of flavors that earned this bourbon its critical acclaim. A few drops of water open up the maple and nougat notes without diminishing the spiced finish.

• Old Fashioned: The rich vanilla and toffee backbone holds up beautifully against bitters and sugar, making a textbook rendition of the classic.
• Boulevardier: Cherry and orange fruit notes harmonize naturally with sweet vermouth and Campari for a balanced, warming cocktail.
• Whiskey Sour: The bourbon's bright berry character and spiced finish add complexity beyond what a simple mixing whiskey provides.

Best For

• Gifting a bourbon enthusiast who follows Whisky Advocate rankings
• Blind tasting lineups comparing Tennessee and Kentucky bourbons
• Building an age-statement bourbon collection without breaking the budget
• After-dinner sipping alongside dessert or a cigar

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Dickel 8 Year taste like? It leads with sweet vanilla, caramel corn, and almond toffee on the palate, followed by cherry and mixed berry brightness. The finish is long and spice-driven, with leather, espresso, and baking spice lingering well.

How does Dickel 8 Year compare to Evan Williams Single Barrel? Both are age-stated bourbons positioned at accessible price points, but Dickel 8 Year uses a chill-filtered charcoal mellowing process that Evan Williams does not, resulting in a softer entry and more pronounced maple sweetness. Evan Williams Single Barrel tends to lean heavier on oak and dried fruit, while Dickel 8 Year emphasizes spice and nougat complexity.

Is Dickel 8 Year good for sipping neat? Yes — its 90-proof strength delivers enough intensity to hold your attention without overwhelming heat, and the layered finish rewards slow, deliberate sipping. The 93-point score from Whisky Advocate was based largely on its neat drinking quality.

Where is Dickel 8 Year made? It is distilled and aged at Cascade Hollow Distilling Co. in Tullahoma, Tennessee, located in the hills of Coffee County. The distillery draws from a local limestone spring-fed water source used throughout production.

What foods pair well with Dickel 8 Year? Smoked pork ribs complement the bourbon's maple and charcoal notes. Pecan pie mirrors its toasted nut and toffee character. Dark chocolate truffles play off the espresso finish. Sharp aged cheddar provides a savory contrast to the sweetness. Bread pudding with caramel sauce echoes the vanilla and brown sugar aromatics.

What sizes does Dickel 8 Year come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle at 90 proof.

Is Dickel 8 Year worth the price? Dickel 8 Year positions as one of the strongest value plays in the age-stated bourbon category. Earning 93 points from Whisky Advocate and a Top 20 ranking against bourbons costing significantly more, it consistently overdelivers relative to its entry-level pricing.

Why Dickel 8 Year?

Few bourbons at this price point carry both an 8-year age statement and a 93-point score from a major whiskey publication. The chill-filtered charcoal mellowing step — unique to George Dickel's production — introduces a textural smoothness that sets this apart from Kentucky bourbons using the same corn-forward mashbill. Its placement at #5 on Whisky Advocate's Top 20 Whiskies of 2021 was not a fluke; the combination of accessible proof, genuine age, and a complex spice-driven finish makes it a serious contender against bottles priced two and three times higher. For anyone assembling a bourbon shelf grounded in substance over hype, this bottle belongs on it.