Distillery: Undisclosed—Produced and bottled by Prestige Beverage Group
Proof: 104.0 (52.0% ABV)
Age: See below
Mashbill: See below
MSRP: $87
Modern Craft – Analog Roots
2XO, short for “Two Times Oak,” is the creation of well-regarded blender Dixon Dedman. Dedman, known for his previous work reviving the Kentucky Owl brand, charts his own course by introducing a unique blending process where each expression undergoes additional oak exposure. The additional exposure serves to enhance the whiskey’s complexity and character.
The Vinyl Blend is the sixth release in 2XO’s Icon Series, a collection of limited-time, small-batch blends, each inspired by personal elements of Dedman’s life. This particular blend pays honor to his love for music and the experience of enjoying vinyl records by aiming to evoke a warmth and richness in the whiskey in a manner like how analog rewards a listener.
The blend consists of two proprietary mash bills: a high-rye (35%) bourbon and a moderate-rye (18%) bourbon. Dedman double-barrels the high-rye bourbon into new #4 charred oak barrels for 9–12 months, which comprises 40% of the final blend. The remaining 60% is split evenly between the original high-rye and moderate-rye bourbons.
2XO The Vinyl Blend Kentucky Straight Bourbon Review: Tasting Notes
Nose – 4.75/5
The Nose opens notes of soft cornbread, toasted cereal grain, and browned butter. There’s a gentle herbal layer of sun-warmed hay and vanilla bean. The Nose feels slightly rustic—sort of shabby chic.
Palate – 4.75/5
The Palate opens with a wave of burnt orange peel and cherry, balanced with a layer of vanilla cream. Hints of brown baking spice build mid-Palate. A velvety texture carries through to the Finish. There’s a faint note of charred cedar that a adds bit of endearing tang that, thankfully, doesn’t progress to bitterness.
Finish – 4.5/5
The Finish lingers with dry cocoa powder, along with a sweet-savory characteristic of salted fig. It gradually and wonderfully fades into a subtle leather dryness that rounds off the experience with poise, not punch.
Value – 4.25/5
At $87, The Vinyl Blend likely will not appeal to those new to bourbon. But, to enthusiasts who can appreciate the combination of artful blending, high-quality barrels and secondary double-oak finishing, there is high Value here.
2XO The Vinyl Blend Kentucky Straight Bourbon Review: The Verdict
2XO The Vinyl Blend is a bourbon that plays like a well-loved record—rich, warm, and full of character. For Dixon Dedman’s blending approach, this release is his most complete. It delivers sweetness without fatigue, spice without bite, and a Finish spinning in flavor.
Whether or not you’re drawn to the music motif, what matters most is in the glass—and this pour earns an encore. For fans of layered, balanced, double-oaked bourbon, The Vinyl Blend deserves the spotlight.
Verdict – 4.6/5
We score each bourbon based on nose, palate, finish, and value.
Scoring System:
- Platinum – 4.5 – 5
- Gold – 4 – 4.5
- Silver – 3 – 4
- Bronze – <3
Mike Long is a staff writer at Bourbon Inspector and has an Executive Bourbon Steward designation from the Stave and Thief Society. He’s a former “wine guy” who discovered his love for bourbon years back at a spur-of-the-moment bourbon tasting he attended. He also loves traveling throughout America with his wife of over 37 years, Debby.