🔥 DOUBLE THE BARREL, DOUBLE THE FLAVOR: The Start of Something Bold

Bold Thought

Some bourbons get better with age. Others? With a second barrel.

What Is Double-Barrel Bourbon? 🥃

Double-barrel bourbon—sometimes called “double oaked”—is aged once, then re-barreled into a second freshly charred oak barrel.

Why? Because a second round of barrel time pulls out deeper flavor, darker spice, and rich caramelized notes the first barrel just can’t reach. Think of it like bourbon that went to finishing school—same roots, but smoother edges and a bit more charm.

And that’s where this series begins—with a bottle that proves double-barrel doesn’t need to mean double the price.

#6: Lux Row Four-Grain Double Single Barrel

📍 A four-grain mashbill + double barrel aging = smooth, layered perfection.

I first found this bottle at a gas station off I-64. No lie. It was next to a box of fried chicken and a stack of Styrofoam coolers. I almost missed it. But the words “Four-Grain Double Barrel” caught my eye.

That first pour? Vanilla up front. Butterscotch mid-palate. And a warm, almost almond-like finish that made me lean back in the chair and just exhale. Four grains—corn, rye, wheat, and malted barley—dancing together in perfect harmony.

👉 Buy it here: $76.99 at Total Wine & More

The Art of Mixing: The Grain Train

This cocktail brings out all four grains in a balanced, sweet-heat profile.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz Lux Row Four-Grain

• ½ oz cinnamon syrup

• ¾ oz fresh lemon juice

• Dash of Angostura bitters

• Lemon twist

Instructions:

1. Shake with ice.

2. Strain into a rocks glass over a large cube.

3. Garnish with the twist.

🛠️ Optional: Rim the glass with cinnamon sugar for dessert-ready flair.

Flavor Pairing Picks

This pour shines with:

• 🧀 Aged cheddar + honey drizzle

• 🍖 Smoked pork tenderloin

• 🍫 Chocolate pecan bark

• 💨 A creamy Nub Connecticut cigar

🛋️ Pull Up a Seat in The Art of the Pour Lounge

This isn’t just about bottles—it’s about the people who pour them.
In the Lounge, we trade tasting notes, share rare finds, and talk whiskey like it's gospel.

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Now It’s Your Turn…

• Have you tried a double-barrel bourbon?

• Do you have a four-grain favorite?

• Got a secret pairing we all need to know?

📩 Hit reply and tell me your thoughts
📌 Save this article to your favorites
📤 Or forward it to a bourbon buddy who needs a new bottle

Cheers to second barrels and first impressions,
Ethan “Neat” Whitmore 🥃

P.S.

This Friday, we’re stepping it up. Bottle #5 in the countdown is a rare, premium blend with a backstory almost as rich as its pour.
I won’t spoil it—but let’s just say you may want to clear your top shelf for this one.