Swilled Dog Double Oaked Straight Bourbon Whiskey Review

Distillery: Swilled Dog Spirits—Upper Trackt, WV

Proof: 117.0 (58.5% ABV)

Age: Four+ Years

Mashbill: 75% Corn, 21% Rye, 4% Malted Barley

MSRP: $83

---

A West Virginia Bourbon That Deserves National Attention

Swilled Dog Spirits has steadily built a name in West Virginia’s craft spirits scene, but with their Double Oaked Straight Bourbon Whiskey, they’ve created a whiskey that deserves to reach well beyond their Appalachian location.

Part of the distillery’s Innovation Series, this expression is a standout for its well-balanced bold flavor, smooth delivery, and complexity.

The Innovation Series is Swilled Dog’s creative sandbox. The Double Oaked Bourbon begins with a traditional aging process, then is transferred to West Virginia white oak staves that have been seasoned for 18 months. From there, it spends an additional year maturing on-site at the distillery—drawing deeper character and a richer oak influence from the second barrel.

This is more than just a bourbon going through —it’s a deliberate effort to enhance flavor without losing the foundation.

Swilled Dog Double Oaked Straight Bourbon Whiskey Review: Tasting Notes

Nose – 4.75/5

The Nose is immediately layered with notes of caramelized sugar, toasted oak, and vanilla bean. After a swirl or two, maple syrup, green apple, dark chocolate, and dark roast malt emerge. This is a wonderfully developed bourbon on the Nose.

Palate – 4.75/5

The Palate embraces butterscotch, brown sugar, and pecan praline. The double oak influence shows up as endearing charred sweet oak and toffee along with a hint of spiced orange zest. There’s some gentle pepper heat, but the texture is velvety throughout.

Finish – 4.5/5

The Finish is long and steady, with a caramel oak backbone, soft notes of dark chocolate, and just a trace of dried citrus. A slight smokiness lingers, along with a dry sweetness that brings it to satisfying close.

Value – 4.5/5

At $83 MSRP, the price point is considerable for a craft whiskey.  The quality of this expression in all sensory areas makes it a serious value for craft whiskey.  It’s a bottle that not only holds its own against much older or more expensive double-oaked bourbons, but I would even say it outperforms many of the more well-known double oaks out there.

While I have not experienced the base bourbon before the double oak process, I really don’t need to.  The resulting whiskey in this bottle is top notch from start to finish.

For enthusiasts who appreciate rich flavor, strong structure, and a bourbon that checks the box on all the senses, this expression is more than just a pleasant surprise—it’s a top-tier pour worth checking out.

Swilled Dog Double Oaked Straight Bourbon Whiskey Review: The Verdict

This is a bottle that’s easy to enjoy—and even easier to respect. Swilled Dog Double Oaked Straight Bourbon Whiskey delivers depth, balance, and craftsmanship. While I have not experienced the base bourbon before the double oak process, I really don’t need to.  The resulting whiskey in this bottle is top notch from start to finish.

For enthusiasts who appreciate rich flavor, strong structure, and a bourbon that checks the box on all the senses, this expression is more than just a pleasant surprise—it’s a top-tier pour worth checking out.

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