Mary Dowling Toasted Double Oak Bourbon 750ML

Mary Dowling Toasted Double Oak Bourbon 750ML is a wheated Kentucky bourbon bottled at 107 proof (53.5% ABV), matured in two distinct American oak barrels. It earned 93 points from Whiskey Advocate and a Double Gold medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, establishing it as one of the more compelling double-oaked releases in the current bourbon landscape. Its wheated mashbill and aggressive barrel treatment set it apart from the crowded double-oak field.

Quick Facts: ABV: 53.5% (107 proof)  |  Origin: Kentucky, USA  |  Wheated Double Oak Bourbon  |  Distillery: Rabbit Hole Distillery

Production & Heritage

Mary Dowling is a brand within the Rabbit Hole Distillery portfolio, based in Louisville, Kentucky, and operated as a joint venture with Pernod Ricard. The brand honors Mary Dowling, a historical figure who ran the Waterfill and Frazier Distillery in Kentucky—one of the few women to manage a bourbon operation during the Prohibition era. The mashbill is 65% corn, 25% wheat, and 10% malted barley, making this a wheated bourbon rather than the more common rye-forward profile.

What distinguishes this expression is its sequential maturation in two separate American oak barrels sourced from Kelvin Cooperage. The liquid first rests in a #4 char, wood-fired, toasted, and charred new American oak barrel, then transfers to a second new American oak barrel with a #1 char and heavy toast. That combination—double-oaked and wheated—remains uncommon in the bourbon category, and the varying char and toast levels create layered oak influence without brute tannin.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Heavy nutmeg and cloves open the nose, followed by wildflower honey and a distinct Spanish cedar quality reminiscent of a cigar humidor. Beneath those spice notes, brown sugar and a hint of anise add depth.

Taste: The entry is smooth for 107 proof, led by dark cherries, milk chocolate, and roasted chestnuts. At mid-palate, delicate cinnamon dusted over a barbecue honey glaze character takes hold, with stone fruit and tobacco emerging as the bourbon opens. The wheated mashbill contributes a soft, almost pillowy texture that carries the oak-driven flavors without harshness.

Finish: Long and warming, closing on ground coffee beans and a cayenne pepper tingle that lingers well past the last sip. Charred oak and baking spice persist, while the brown sugar sweetness slowly fades to dry cedar.

How to Drink Mary Dowling Toasted Double Oak

Neat with a few minutes of rest in the glass is the ideal starting point—the 107 proof opens up significantly with air, revealing those deeper chocolate and cherry layers. A single large ice cube or a splash of water tames the heat and amplifies the honey and stone fruit notes. For cocktails, this bourbon's bold oak profile and wheated softness make it versatile:

• Old Fashioned — The charred oak and brown sugar character integrate seamlessly with bitters and a sugar cube, requiring little sweetener to balance.
• Boulevardier — The chocolate and cherry notes complement Campari and sweet vermouth, standing up to the bitter components without getting lost.
• Whiskey Sour — The honey and cinnamon spice pair naturally with fresh citrus, while the higher proof maintains flavor integrity through dilution.

Best For

• Gifting a bourbon enthusiast who already knows Woodford Reserve Double Oaked and wants the next step
• Side-by-side tastings comparing wheated versus rye-forward double-oak bourbons
• After-dinner sipping alongside dark chocolate or a cigar
• Building a Kentucky bourbon collection with distinctive production stories

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Mary Dowling Toasted Double Oak taste like? It leads with dark cherry, milk chocolate, and roasted chestnuts, shifting to cinnamon and barbecue honey at mid-palate, then finishing on ground coffee and cayenne pepper. The wheated mashbill gives it a softer, rounder mouthfeel than most double-oaked bourbons.

How does Mary Dowling Toasted Double Oak compare to Woodford Reserve Double Oaked? Both undergo secondary maturation in toasted oak, but Mary Dowling uses a wheated mashbill (65% corn, 25% wheat, 10% malted barley) versus Woodford Reserve's rye-inclusive recipe, resulting in a softer, sweeter profile with less grain spice. Mary Dowling also runs notably higher in proof at 107 versus Woodford Reserve Double Oaked's 90.4 proof, delivering more intensity and barrel character.

Is Mary Dowling Toasted Double Oak good for sipping neat? Yes—despite the 107 proof, the wheated mashbill and double-oak treatment produce a surprisingly smooth pour that rewards neat sipping, especially with a few minutes of air. A splash of water further softens the heat for those sensitive to higher-proof whiskey.

Where is Mary Dowling Toasted Double Oak made? It is produced at Rabbit Hole Distillery in Louisville, Kentucky, operated as a joint venture with Pernod Ricard. The barrels are sourced from Kelvin Cooperage, and the bourbon is matured in Kentucky's climate-driven warehousing conditions.

What foods pair well with Mary Dowling Toasted Double Oak? Dark chocolate truffles highlight the milk chocolate and cherry notes. Smoked brisket or pulled pork echoes the charred oak and barbecue honey character. Pecan pie amplifies the brown sugar and nutmeg. Aged Gouda or Gruyère balances the bourbon's sweetness with savory depth. Crème brûlée mirrors the caramelized sugar and vanilla undertones.

What sizes does Mary Dowling Toasted Double Oak come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle, which is the most widely available format.

Is Mary Dowling Toasted Double Oak worth the price? It positions as a premium bourbon, priced above everyday double-oaked expressions but justified by its 93-point Whiskey Advocate score, Double Gold medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, and the uncommon combination of wheated mashbill with aggressive double-oak treatment.

Why Mary Dowling Toasted Double Oak?

The bourbon category has no shortage of double-oaked releases, but very few apply that technique to a wheated mashbill—and fewer still push the proof to 107 while maintaining balance. The sequential maturation in two differently charred and toasted Kelvin Cooperage barrels creates a layered oak complexity that earned recognition from both Whiskey Advocate (93 points) and the San Francisco World Spirits Competition (Double Gold). For drinkers who appreciate Woodford Reserve Double Oaked but want more proof, more barrel influence, and the softer grain character that wheat provides, this expression fills a specific gap in the market that few competitors address.