In December I got my hands on the 2XO French Oak bourbon, but I really wanted to try one of Dixon Dedman’s higher proof offerings. I happened to find The Sneakerhead Blend which was released last October on Hokus Pokus’ shelves today. They also had the American Oak release which is the same proof as the French Oak. This is a blend of two bourbon mashbills distilled in Kentucky, one a high rye at 35% and one a lower rye (but not too low) at 18%. The high rye bourbon is rebarreled in new oak casks at number 3 and 4 char levels. This bourbon is bottled at a nice drinkable but flavorful 104 proof. This bottle was $94, which to me is extremely reasonable for a limited release from Dixon Dedman.

The color is a nice solid amber with some flecks of mahogany; I would put this bourbon in the six to eight year old range, although the re-barreling of the bourbon may have added more color. On the swirl is a thick film with thick long legs. Really oily bourbon which is good. On the nose I get baked cinnamon rolls and herbal tea, in addition to traditional bourbon notes of caramel and vanilla. The palate however is a whirlwind of flavor; lots of baking spice and white pepper, maraschino cherries, cedar, and oak. On the finish, the baking spice, white pepper, cedar, and oak notes linger accompanied by a hint of cocktail bitters. That being said, this is not a particularly sweet bourbon, but more earthy and wood forward.

For those of you missing the Kentcuky Owl releases before they sold to Stoli, or for those of you who weren’t really drinking bourbon back in those days but want to try Kentucky Owl, 2XO The Sneakerhead Blend is a must buy particularly at the price. Dedman’s exceptional bourbon palate is on full display with this bottling. I also have to say the Dedman is succeeding where Stoli’s Kentucky Owl is failing; his 2XO French Oak release is much better than Wiseman from Stoli at the same price point. Kentucky Owl is releasing ever more expensive and yet somehow mediocre releases, but 2XO is putting out a fantastic limited release bourbon in the sub $100 category. I would say Dixon Dedman’s come back with 2XO is better than his first try with Kentucky Owl in the bourbon industry. My only hope is that he resists the temptation to sell out to private equity or another distiller, because they will just f*#k it up again. Now, I am not judging; the amounts of money people are willing to pay for brands and companies becomes insane in the hands of investment bankers, to the point of how do you say no to this pile of cash. As a lawyer I have facilitated so many of those kinds of transactions, and have gotten well paid for it.

All that is to say is that I am a devotee of Dixon Dedman’s bourbons, and not a brand. For the moment, I I highly recommend 2XO, because Dixon Dedman puts out great bourbons.