Wheel Horse Double Oak Bourbon Review

Distillery: Distilled by Green River Distillery—Owensboro, KY, Bottled by Latitude Beverage Co—Rumford, Rhode Island

Proof: 101.0 (50.5% ABV)

Age: Five Years

Mashbill: 70% Corn, 21% Rye, 9% Malted Barley

MSRP: $43

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Double Oaked — Everyday Price

The Wheel Horse Whiskey label may not be a household name, but it’s quietly gaining traction in the whiskey universe due to its approachable sourced whiskey. The brand is bottled and marketed by Latitude Beverage Company in Rumford, Rhode Island, using distillate sourced from Green River Distillery in Owensboro, Kentucky. For those familiar with Green River, that connection brings a measure of credibility to the source of the spirit.

This newest release—Wheel Horse Double Oak Bourbon—is aged for 4 ½ years in its original Char 4 then spends six months of in a Char 1 before bottling. Typically, the re-cask and added aging is meant to enhance the whiskey’s flavor intensity and create a richer profile without relying on exotic finishes or overly sweet profiles. Double Oak, as with most Wheel Horse expressions, is bottled at 101 proof, and non-chill filtered. 

With the same traditional mashbill as Green River’s Straight Bourbon (70% corn, 21% rye, and 9% malted barley) it remains firmly rooted in Kentucky bourbon territory. Priced at $43, this release falls in a consumer-friendly price tier, particularly considering it’s a double oaked bourbon with a decent age statement and higher proof.

Wheel Horse Double Oak Bourbon Review: Tasting Notes

Nose – 4/5

The Nose opens with charred oak and ripe cherry, followed by soft notes of butterscotch and green apple. It gives off a pleasant balance between fruity sweetness and toasted wood, though it leans more warm than complex.

Palate – 4/5

The first sip starts sweet but quickly shifts toward menthol, black pepper and a citrusy sting. There’s a note of maple syrup mid-Palate that adds some depth.  The flavor profile feels slightly disjointed—flavors are highlighted but don’t quite knit together. The mouthfeel is Mouth Coating.

Finish – 3.8/5

The Finish is dry and leathery, with a flash of pepper and a bit of dark fruit. It has a good length to the landing, but also with a touch of bitterness that lingers a bit longer than needed.  Still, it has a structure that elevates it well above more youthful or rushed finishes.

Value – 4.25/5

At $43, Wheel Horse Double Oak delivers good value—particularly for those who appreciate the toasted oak-forward profile and higher proof. It doesn’t quite reach the richness or complexity of some of its more expensive competitors, but it’s not trying to.  For a casual pour, it holds up very nicely.  And it’s a solid selection as a cocktail base—it held up extremely well in an Old Fashioned.

Wheel Horse Double Oak Bourbon Review: The Verdict

Wheel Horse Double Oak Kentucky Straight Bourbon is an expression that offers a reliable experience. The second barreling perhaps adds wood and spice, but it seems the cost came at the expense of integration on the Finish. While it doesn’t deliver the full harmony of a top-tier double oaked expression, it gets plenty right—particularly for the price.

It may not leave a lasting impression, but it’ll certainly leave the glass empty. Shop now.

Verdict – 4.0/5

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