J Mattingly Double Staved 96 Proof Bourbon 750ML

J Mattingly Double Staved 96 Proof Bourbon 750ML is a 6-year-old, non-chill filtered Kentucky straight bourbon bottled at 48% ABV (96 proof) in a 750ml bottle. Its defining characteristic is the proprietary Double Staved™ finishing process, which increases oak contact by reintroducing broken charred barrel staves into the aging barrels — a technique that layers depth onto the final spirit without additional years of maturation.

Quick Facts: ABV: 48% (96 Proof)  |  Origin: Kentucky, USA  |  Age: 6 Years  |  Distillery: Green River Distilling Co., Owensboro, KY

Production & Heritage

J. Mattingly sources its bourbon from Green River Distilling Co. in Owensboro, Kentucky — one of the oldest distilling sites in the state, with roots tracing back to the 1880s. The mashbill is a traditional Kentucky recipe of 78% corn, 10% rye, and 12% malted barley. After a full six years of barrel aging, the bourbon undergoes J. Mattingly's signature Double Staved™ process: old barrel staves are broken into chunks and placed into existing barrels, dramatically increasing the whiskey's surface contact with charred oak. The result is bottled non-chill filtered at 96 proof to preserve the full texture and flavor gained from that extended wood interaction.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with honey, vanilla, and a corn-rich sweetness before giving way to deeper notes of leather, fresh-sawn oak, and tobacco. Subtle hints of cocoa powder and the faintest suggestion of orange zest round out a complex and layered bouquet.

Taste: The entry is silky and sweet, with chocolate and honeyed vanilla arriving immediately on the palate. Mid-palate, barrel char and toasted pecans emerge as the oak influence steadily builds. A gentle rye spice threads throughout, providing balance against the sweeter grain-forward character.

Finish: The finish is medium-long, carrying toasted oak, lingering cocoa, and a warm whisper of baking spice. The non-chill filtered bottling preserves a silky, slightly oily mouthfeel that stays on the palate well after the last sip.

How to Drink Double Staved 96 Proof

At 96 proof, this bourbon is well-suited for sipping neat or with a single large ice cube, which gradually opens the oak-driven layers without drowning the texture. A few drops of water can further coax out the honey and vanilla sweetness. For cocktails, the extra oak richness makes it a strong choice in an Old Fashioned, where the chocolate and toasted pecan notes complement bitters beautifully; a Boulevardier, where its barrel char depth stands up to Campari's bitterness; or a Maple Bourbon Sour, where the honeyed sweetness and silky body pair naturally with citrus and maple syrup.

Best For

• Bourbon enthusiasts exploring unique finishing techniques beyond standard single-barrel offerings
• Gifting a whiskey lover who appreciates craft production and small-batch innovation
• Side-by-side tastings comparing the effects of extended oak contact on similar mashbills
• After-dinner sipping alongside desserts featuring chocolate, pecans, or caramel

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Double Staved 96 Proof taste like? It delivers a silky, sweet profile dominated by honey, vanilla, chocolate, and toasted pecans, with barrel char and gentle rye spice building through the mid-palate. The non-chill filtered bottling gives it a rich, slightly oily mouthfeel that accentuates the oak influence.

How does Double Staved 96 Proof compare to the J. Mattingly 1845 Classic Double Staved? Both expressions use J. Mattingly's proprietary Double Staved™ process, but the 1845 Classic is bottled at a higher proof, which tends to deliver more intensity and a bolder oak presence. The 96 Proof version is a more approachable pour, emphasizing sweetness and silky texture over raw barrel power.

Is Double Staved 96 Proof good for sipping neat? Yes — the 48% ABV hits a sweet spot that delivers full flavor and rich mouthfeel without excessive heat, making it a comfortable neat pour for most palates.

Where is Double Staved 96 Proof made? The bourbon is distilled at Green River Distilling Co. in Owensboro, Kentucky, one of the state's oldest distillery locations, and then finished using J. Mattingly's Double Staved™ technique before bottling.

What foods pair well with Double Staved 96 Proof? Dark chocolate truffles complement the cocoa and barrel char notes; pecan pie mirrors the toasted nut character; smoked brisket matches the oak depth; aged cheddar contrasts the bourbon's sweetness; and crème brûlée highlights the vanilla and caramel tones.

What sizes does Double Staved 96 Proof come in? The standard release is the 750ml bottle, which is the most widely available format.

Is Double Staved 96 Proof worth the price? This bourbon positions itself in the premium craft tier, where the 6-year age statement, non-chill filtration, and proprietary finishing process deliver genuine complexity that justifies its placement above entry-level bourbons.

Why Double Staved 96 Proof?

What separates this bourbon from a crowded Kentucky field is the Double Staved™ process — a tangible production step that adds measurable oak surface contact beyond what standard barrel aging provides. The result is a 6-year bourbon that tastes like it spent additional time in wood, carrying deeper chocolate, leather, and charred oak notes than its age statement alone would suggest. Bottling at 96 proof without chill filtration preserves the full range of flavors and the silky texture that the extra stave contact imparts. For drinkers who want to taste what extended oak interaction does to a classic corn-forward mashbill, this expression makes the case clearly and convincingly.