Double the Oak, Double the Trouble: A Four-Bottle Toasted Barrel Showdown (Feat. Mike!)
Double Oaked Bourbon
DOUBLE THE OAK, DOUBLE THE TROUBLE | Tortured Bourbon
On this week’s episode of Tortured Bourbon, Heather and B are joined by special guest Mike, who shows up ready to stir the pot, drop inappropriate tasting notes, and raise the collective proof of the room.
And our theme?
Double-oaked bourbon.
A phrase that guarantees one thing: we’re in dessert territory.
Whether it’s syrupy sweetness, heavy toasted vanilla, marshmallow char, or deep caramelized oak, double-oaked bourbons are built for richness — and this lineup shows just how wildly different that flavor path can be.
Watch the full episode here:
👉 https://youtu.be/4QudOlSd2J8
🥃 WHAT DOES “DOUBLE OAKED” ACTUALLY MEAN?
A double-oaked bourbon is aged a second time in a brand-new, freshly toasted (or differently charred) American oak barrel.
Why do distillers do it?
Because that second barrel unlocks:
Extra caramel, butterscotch, and toffee notes
Thicker mouthfeel and richer viscosity
Stronger vanilla, baking spice, and toasted sugar layers
Longer, deeper, more luxurious finishes
It’s the fastest way to turn a classic bourbon into a full-blown dessert experience — without adding anything except time and fresh wood.
Now… onto the bottles.
🔥 THE LINEUP
Woodford Double Double Oak — The Heavy Hitter
Proof: 90.4 • Mashbill: 72/18/10 • MSRP: $200+
Every year people go feral trying to find this bottle — and for good reason.
The aroma hits like a bakery fire: maple syrup, brittle caramel, burnt marshmallow, hickory smoke. The palate brings dark fruit jam, warm apple, chai tea, and clove.
It’s decadent. It’s syrupy. It’s practically a dessert stout in bourbon form.
Mike’s take: “If bourbon were candy, this would melt in your pocket.”
Angel’s Envy Triple Oak — The World Traveler
Proof: 92 • MSRP: $65
American, Chinkapin, Hungarian, and French oak — somebody’s passport got stamped.
The nose bursts with ripe apricot, toasted oak, and honeysuckle, while the palate leans brioche, vanilla custard, plum, tobacco, and baking spice.
Smooth. Silky. Elegant.
Heather called it “dessert in a silk robe,” and honestly… that tracks.
Old Forester 117 Series — Warehouse Wizardry
Proof: 93 • MSRP: $65
Bold. Hot. Layered. Classic Old Forester.
Bananas Foster, caramel, toasted oak on the nose, followed by brown sugar and dark fruit on the palate.
This series never misses — it punches above its weight every time.
B’s note: “It tastes like someone caramelized a banana with a blowtorch… which I respect.”
Whiskey War Double Oaked (High Bank Distillery) — The Campfire King
Proof: 100 • MSRP: $75
If you toasted a pecan pie over a campfire, this is the bourbon you’d get.
Nose: cinnamon toast and caramelized sugar.
Palate: maple syrup, toasted pecan, vanilla spice.
Finish: smoky, sweet, lingering oak.
Unexpectedly cozy, surprisingly bold. The sleeper hit of the night.
🎤 THE EPISODE VIBES
This episode delivers:
Signature Tortured Bourbon chaos
Mike insisting his palate “doesn’t lie” while absolutely lying
Heather rolling her eyes so hard the camera shakes
B chasing tasting notes like a bloodhound with a PhD
Four double-oaked bourbons with wildly different personalities
It’s an educational episode wrapped in unhinged banter — exactly how we like it.
Watch the full tasting here:
👉 https://youtu.be/4QudOlSd2J8
