Top 20 Whiskies of 2021

#8 • Kentucky Peerless Double Oak

  • Rank: 8
  • Year: 2021
  • Score: 93
  • Price: $85
  • ABV: 54.35%
  • Style: Straight bourbon
  • Place of Origin: Kentucky

Double Oak was born of a happy accident, when a leaky barrel forced the distilling team to transfer its liquid to a new charred oak barrel. Exposure to that second barrel gave the whiskey amped-up flavors and lots more complexity. This is a bourbon that has gone into overdrive, and it handles the road just fine. Its syrupy sweet texture is checked by the oak influence, and the palate opens to flavors aplenty—dried peaches, warm apple pie, Christmas spice, gingerbread, raisin cake, chocolate, and pumpkin purée. Perfect as a holiday warmer or a backyard barbecue sipper, this is a whiskey for all seasons. —David Fleming