Jacobs Creek Double Barrel Cabernet Sauvignon

Jacob's Creek Double Barrel Cabernet Sauvignon is a 750ml, 14% ABV Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon finished in aged Irish whiskey barrels. Scored 90/100 by Oz Wine Review's Andrew Graham, this expression layers traditional Coonawarra fruit depth with whiskey-barrel complexity in a way that genuinely distinguishes it from standard Cabernet bottlings.

Quick Facts: ABV: 14%  |  Origin: Coonawarra, South Australia  |  100% Cabernet Sauvignon  |  Producer: Jacob's Creek (Pernod Ricard)

Production & Heritage

Jacob's Creek, one of Australia's most recognized wine brands, has been producing wine from South Australia since the early 1970s and is now part of the Pernod Ricard portfolio. The Double Barrel Cabernet Sauvignon begins its maturation in traditional oak wine barrels before undergoing a secondary finishing period in used Irish whiskey barrels — a technique that imparts additional layers of vanilla, caramel, and subtle smokiness without overwhelming the varietal character. Sourced from Coonawarra, one of Australia's premier Cabernet Sauvignon regions renowned for its terra rossa soil, this bottling bridges the worlds of wine and whiskey in a single glass.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Vibrant cassis and blackcurrant lead, followed by cool mint, dark olive, and a distinct thread of caramel from the whiskey barrel influence. There is an underlying warmth of vanilla and toasted oak that deepens as the wine opens up.

Taste: The entry is full-bodied, with firm tannins giving way quickly to a generous mid-palate of ripe blackberry, cassis, and olive tapenade. Briary, complex notes emerge alongside smoky tobacco, roasted nuts, and hints of biscotti and nougat — the whiskey-barrel signature adding a savoury, confectionary dimension that rounds out the fruit.

Finish: Long and smooth, with silky tannins carrying flavors of dark fruit and caramel oak well after the last sip. A subtle smokiness lingers alongside traces of mint and bittersweet chocolate.

How to Drink Double Barrel Cabernet

Best served at 16–18°C in a large-bowled glass to let the whiskey-barrel aromatics unfold; decanting for 20–30 minutes further softens the tannins and amplifies complexity. While primarily a sipping wine, it also holds up in wine-based mixed drinks. A Kalimotxo (red wine and cola) gains smoky depth from the whiskey-barrel character. A New York Sour variation — subbing this Cabernet as the float over a whiskey sour — creates a seamless bridge between the wine's dual identities. A bold Sangria built with dark stone fruits and a cinnamon stick complements the caramel and spice notes already present in the wine.

Best For

• Introducing whiskey drinkers to the world of complex red wine
• Weekend barbecue dinners featuring charred red meats
• Gifting to someone who appreciates unconventional winemaking techniques
• Exploring Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon at an accessible price point

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Double Barrel Cabernet taste like? It delivers rich blackcurrant and blackberry fruit layered with caramel, smoky tobacco, roasted nuts, and olive tapenade, all framed by silky tannins. The Irish whiskey barrel finish adds a distinctive vanilla and biscotti sweetness not found in conventionally aged Cabernet.

How does Double Barrel Cabernet compare to J. Lohr Seven Oaks Cabernet Sauvignon? J. Lohr Seven Oaks is a Paso Robles Cabernet aged exclusively in traditional oak, producing a more classically structured, fruit-forward profile. Jacob's Creek Double Barrel introduces an additional whiskey-barrel dimension — smoky caramel and nougat notes — that sets it apart as a more unconventional, crossover-style wine.

Is Double Barrel Cabernet good for sipping neat? Yes, its full body, smooth tannins, and layered complexity from the dual-barrel aging process make it well-suited to drinking on its own, ideally at cellar temperature with a short decant.

Where is Double Barrel Cabernet made? It is produced by Jacob's Creek, part of Pernod Ricard, using Cabernet Sauvignon grapes grown in Coonawarra, a premium wine region in South Australia known for its distinctive terra rossa limestone soils.

What foods pair well with Double Barrel Cabernet? Chargrilled lamb chops benefit from the wine's smoky tannins; slow-braised beef short ribs echo its dark fruit richness; aged cheddar highlights the caramel and vanilla barrel notes; dark chocolate desserts complement the bittersweet finish; and smoked brisket mirrors the whiskey-barrel smokiness.

What sizes does Double Barrel Cabernet come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle, which is the most widely available format.

Is Double Barrel Cabernet worth the price? It positions as an accessible, everyday-premium expression that delivers complexity well above its price tier, thanks largely to the secondary whiskey-barrel finishing step that adds noticeable depth and distinctiveness.

Why Double Barrel Cabernet?

The defining differentiator here is the secondary maturation in used Irish whiskey barrels — a production step that genuinely transforms the wine rather than serving as a marketing gimmick. Andrew Graham's 90-point score in Oz Wine Review confirms the technique translates into real quality in the glass. Coonawarra fruit provides a serious foundation of cassis and structured tannin, while the whiskey-barrel finish layers in caramel, smoke, and nougat that you simply will not find in a conventionally made Cabernet at this price level. For drinkers who move comfortably between wine and whiskey, this bottling occupies a rare and rewarding intersection of both worlds.